The Impact Of The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, marked a turning point in the history of Mexican Americans living in the territories that were ceded to the United States. The treaty resulted in the acquisition of over 529,189 square miles of land by the United States, including all of present-day Texas north of the Rio Grande, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, parts of Colorado, and Alta California. With the signing of this treaty, the United States extended its legal jurisdiction over the Mexican American and Native American populations residing in these territories, and thus began a new chapter in their history. However, the provisions of the treaty, including the inclusion of Article VIII, the revision of Article IX, and the omission of

The transfer of Mexican territory, including present-day Texas, to the United States resulted in significant changes to the lives of Mexican Americans. One of the most significant impacts was the loss of land and property, as the new laws and regulations favored Anglo-American settlers, leading to the displacement and economic hardship of Mexican American landowners. The treaty also led to a rise in discrimination and violence against Mexican Americans, who were often viewed as second-class citizens and treated unfairly. Juan N. Seguín's "A Foreigner in My Native Land" (1858) denotes the struggles and injustices faced by Mexican Americans in Texas during the mid-19th century. In his letter, Juan N. Seguín expresses his frustration and disappointment with the treatment of Mexican Americans in Texas following the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Seguín, a Mexican American who served in the Texan army during the revolution, writes of feeling like a stranger in his own country as a result of the discriminatory policies and attitudes towards Mexican Americans. He highlights the paradoxical situation of individuals like Seguín, who had fought for the independence of Texas but still faced discrimination and marginalization after the war. His description of feeling like a "foreigner in my native land" captures the sense of alienation and dislocation that

This made them vulnerable to racism and xenophobia from native-born Americans, who viewed them as inferior. The discrimination was evident in various forms, such as segregation, violence, and unequal access to opportunities, including education, healthcare, and employment. Additionally, Mexican Americans encountered land ownership and property rights issues, as their land was taken away or sold without their consent. This led to poverty and displacement, further exacerbating their social and economic struggles. The California Land Act of 1851 was enacted to settle land ownership disputes, but it had a detrimental impact on Mexican American landowners. This act created a commission that was responsible for deciding land ownership claims, and it favored American claimants over Mexican American claimants. This resulted in many Mexican American landowners losing their land to Americans, who had previously seized it or acquired it unjustly. The act also required landowners to prove their ownership through legal documentation, which was often difficult for Mexican Americans, who had limited access to legal resources. In response to the injustices they faced, Mexican American landowners submitted a "Petition to the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of