Experiencing U.S. Expansion: Southern Arizona - Part II

6. What two threats did Mexico face in its northern frontier in the mid-nineteenth century?

a. The renewed conflict with Indian groups such as the Apache.

b. United States leaders desired their land because of the abundance of natural resources.

7. Why did the Gadsden Purchase have such a great impact on northern Mexicans?

      The Gadsden Purchase had an impact on northern Mexicans because it moved a number of important towns and hundreds of Mexican citizens into US territory. The Mexicans were angry at what they saw as their government’s betrayal.  

8. List two ways that cultural misunderstanding contributed to a growing conflict between U.S. settlers and Apache groups.

a. U.S settlers were unable to tell the difference between Indian groups. They often confused these groups with the groups they had made peace agreements with and those that they didn’t.

b. They often believed their allies had betrayed them. Mistrust developed and increased on both sides. These misunderstanding contributed to a growing cycle of violence and further misunderstanding created a situation of desperation for the Apaches.


9. How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase spark a civil war in...

a. Mexico?

The people of Mexico were angry at their government for trading so much land to the United States. They believed that the government, the economy, and society needed a complete change. In 1854, the reformers overthrew Santa Anna’s government and finally established a new government in 1861.

b. the United States?

The gain of land to the United States sparked a Civil War because there was much debate over whether the new land would be slave or free. Also, the U.S were forced to pull all the troops out of Arizona to go East to fight in the war there, leaving Arizona Apache raids alone.    


10. a. What did many U.S. settlers want U.S. policy towards the Apache to be?

Many settlers opposed the reservation system brought up by President Grant. They thought the reservations gave the Apaches resources but didn’t punish them. They also believed if they were to put more Apaches on the same reservations they would continue to raid. Some of the settlers believed in extermination and avenge them from stealing their livestock. Others wanted the Apache moved away from their land.


b. In what ways did this clash with the federal government’s Peace Policy?

U.S settlers were divided over the way but most believed that the Apaches should be punished for their action against the settler’s communities. The U.S Peace Policy sought to move the Apaches and others to new homes on the reservations, the settlers did not believe that the reservations provided punishment for the Apaches. The settlers wanted a more conclusive end to the Apache problem. This desire was in conflict with the U.S Peace Policy towards the Apache.


11. Why were the Apache hesitant to move onto reservations?

The Apache believed the government was using peace as a trick to exterminate them. Many of the Apache had already experience U.S betrayal in previous negotiations. The brutal Navaho experience of forced relocation made many Apache suspicious of the U.S government’s true plans. In addition, being forced to live on a reservation was not in harmony in the Apache way of life as it did not allow them to make their yearly migrations.