Gadsden Purchase and Its Impacts

The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 was a strategic land acquisition by the United States from Mexico, aimed at facilitating the construction of the Southern Transcontinental Railroad. Negotiated by James Gadsden, the purchase added a significant portion of Southern Arizona to the U.S. for $10 million. While it played a crucial role in America's expansion and economic development, it also sparked controversy over slavery, exacerbating North-South tensions. The purchase was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, influencing the nation's growth and unification.

What year did the Gadsden Purchase take place, marking a significant land deal for the United States?

• 1870

• 1848

• 1861

• 1853

What was the primary strategic reason for the Gadsden Purchase?

• To expand agricultural land

• To secure a southern railroad route

• To establish new military bases

• To increase mining operations

Which treaty ended the Mexican-American War and preceded the Gadsden Purchase?

• Treaty of Tordesillas

• Treaty of Versailles

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Treaty of Paris

Who was appointed as the US ambassador to Mexico to negotiate the Gadsden Purchase?

• John Quincy Adams

• James Gadsden

• Santa Ana

• Henry Clay

What was the purchase price of the land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase?

• $15 million

• $5 million

• $20 million

• $10 million

Which issue did the Gadsden Purchase exacerbate in the United States?

• Religious freedom

• Taxation

• Slavery

• Immigration

What was a significant political consequence of the Gadsden Purchase?

• It caused a divide over slavery

• It led to the abolition of slavery

• It unified the political parties

• It resulted in a new constitution

What major infrastructure project did the Gadsden Purchase facilitate?

• The Panama Canal

• The Erie Canal

• The Hoover Dam

• The Southern Transcontinental Railroad

How did the Gadsden Purchase influence America's westward expansion?

• It restricted settlement

• It encouraged settlement and exploration

• It had no impact on westward expansion

• It led to the closure of western territories

What was the long-term impact of the Gadsden Purchase on the United States?

• It caused a civil war

• It resulted in international isolation

• It led to economic decline

• It facilitated national expansion and unification