Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Created a New People
A New People Abridged Versio: Expansion Creates a New People Feb. 2 marks the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the U.S.–Mexican War and, in effect, created the Mexican-American people. The treaty promised that Mexicans living in the conquered territories who did not retain Mexican citizenship would be incorporated into the United States and granted the rights of U.S. citizens. Neither President James K. Polk nor supporters of Manifest Destiny anticipated that Mexican-Americans—along with Puerto Rican- and Cuban-Americans—would one day make up a significant portion of the U.S. population. The emergence of Mexican-Americans was an unintended result of American expansion, driven largely by economic interests and trade. As the United States expanded westward, trade routes connecting St. Louis, New Orleans, Santa Fe, and northern Mexico became increasingly important. These commercial interests influenced events such as the Texas Revolution and disput...