Overview
This lecture covered the shifting history of the U.S.–Mexico border, highlighting how it evolved from imaginary lines to today's complex and contentious boundary.
Early Border History
- For centuries, borders in the Americas were undefined, with European nations and Native tribes contesting control.
- The border became significant after conflicts, treaties, and surveys starting in the 19th century.
- In 1801, no official U.S. border existed beyond the Mississippi River.
Expansion and Imagination
- President Thomas Jefferson envisioned U.S. expansion to the Pacific, initiating it with the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.
- By 1821, Mexico gained independence and shared a vague border with the U.S., which was largely conceptual.
Mexican-American Conflict and Treaty
- American settlers illegally migrated into northern Mexico, especially Texas, leading to border disputes.
- Texas claimed its southern border was the Rio Grande, while Mexico said it was the Nueces River.
- The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, officially establishing the border on paper.
Surveying and Establishing the Line
- Surveyors faced harsh conditions and violent disputes while marking the border after 1848.
- The Joint Boundary Commission experienced infighting, financial troubles, and errors due to challenging terrain.
- The Gadsden Purchase (1853) adjusted the border further south for $10 million.
Persistent Challenges and Changing Borders
- Apache raids continued, prompting cross-border military agreements.
- The International Boundary Commission (1889) was created to resolve disputes, especially as the Rio Grande shifted course.
- Over time, cities, trade, and migration transformed the border from a contested line to a dynamic region.
Modern Border Issues
- 20th-century economic crises in Mexico and NAFTA spurred migration and industrial growth at the border.
- Drug trafficking and human movement became prominent issues.
- The border now tightly binds the two nations, with shared economic and social problems.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Louisiana Purchase — 1803 U.S. purchase of French territory, doubling the nation’s size.
- Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo — 1848 agreement ending the Mexican-American War and defining the border.
- Gadsden Purchase — 1853 land acquisition moving U.S. border south for railroad development.
- International Boundary Commission — Binational body managing ongoing border disputes.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the maps and treaty timelines mentioned.
- Reflect on how historical border changes shape current U.S.–Mexico relations.