USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Gadsden Purchase is a roughly 30, 000 square-mile region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that was acquired by the United States in a treaty signed by American ambassador to Mexico James Gadsden on December 30, 1853.

Detailed explanation-2: -On December 30, 1853, a treaty was signed where Mexico sold the United States 29, 000 square miles of territory in the area that would eventually become southern Arizona and New Mexico.

Detailed explanation-3: -Prompted in part by advocates of a southern transcontinental railroad, for which the most practical route would pass through the acquired territory, the purchase was negotiated by the U.S. minister to Mexico, James Gadsden.

Detailed explanation-4: -Gadsden’s most important public service followed his appointment as U.S. minister to Mexico in 1853. He was instructed to negotiate a treaty for the purchase of territory south of the Gila River through which ran the most desirable route for a railroad from the southern states to the Pacific.