5.2 Westward Expansion's Impact

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The Mexican-American War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

Back

This treaty, along with the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, created the southern border of the present-day United States.

The U.S. government paid Mexico $15 million for land.

This payment was for the extension of the U.S. boundaries and included agreements on debts and rights of Mexican nationals. The US needed to protect former Mexican' citizens' property and rights.

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Map showing the Republic of Texas, disputed areas, Mexican Cession, and Gadsden Purchase.

Back

The map illustrates territorial changes and claims from 1836 to 1853.

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Californios were Hispanic Californians.

Back

They were descendants of the Spanish and Mexicans and became a minority after the Gold Rush. Their rights were supposed to protected under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) that ended the Mexican-American War.

Front

The Gold Rush began the same year the Mexican-American War ended.

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By 1852, about 250,000 miners had arrived in California, making Californios a minority.

Front

Foreign Miners Tax Law of 1850

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Required "foreign" miners, including Californios, to pay $20 a month to mine.

Front

Impact of the California Land Act of 1851

Back

Made land rights worse for Californios, leading to legal battles and loss of land.

Front

Timeline of Chinese Immigration

Back

1785-1850

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Timeline of Chinese Immigration

Back

1850-1870

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Timeline of Chinese Immigration

Back

1870-1882

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Chinese immigrants found opportunities in laundry services in San Francisco, charging $5 for a basket when $8 was the going rate.

Back

Chinese laundries became common, with workers often isolated and dreaming of returning to China.