Title: Mexican Cession (1848) | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: Mexican Cession (1848)
Mexican Cession (1848)
MEXICAN CESSION (1848)
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Content: Contending with rugged terrain and logistical problems, the U.S. force of 14,000 prevailed over the Mexican military force. They occupied Mexico City in September, 1847. In light of this military success President Polk began to set his sights on annexing all of Mexico. An obscure, low level U.S. agent, Nicolas Trist, scuttled this ambitious goal when he negotiated the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo for the U.S. side. President Polk was outraged when he learned that Trist had secured only the original U.S. demands. Still in the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Mexico lost nearly one million square miles of land — almost one-half of its territory. This territory, termed the "Mexican Cession," included land that makes up the states of California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Texas, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The Mexican government received $15 million and the promise that the United States would settle all claims of its citizens against Mexico. These claims amounted to more than $3 million. The Mexican citizens in this acquired territory were presumed to be legal U.S. citizens unless they vacated the area or registered as Mexican citizens within a one-year time frame.