Question

On December 30, 1853, the United States signed a treaty with Mexico to purchase around 30,000 square miles of land in present day southern Arizona and New Mexico. This purchase helped in completing the Southern Pacific Railroad that connected the southern region to the Pacific coast. What two additional impact did this purchase have?

The migration of people from the southern region to the Pacific coast almost stopped.

Intercontinental trade in the southern region flourished after completion of the railroad.

The northern region witnessed rapid industrialization and connectivity.

The border dispute between the United Sates and Mexico was resolved.

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- Intercontinental trade in the southern region flourished after completion of the railroad.
- The border dispute between the United States and Mexico was resolved.

Why: The Gadsden Purchase was acquired largely to secure a southern transcontinental railroad route, which stimulated trade and transportation across the southern corridor. It also settled remaining boundary issues left after the Mexican–American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The other two statements are incorrect: the purchase and railroad encouraged (not stopped) migration westward, and northern industrialization was driven by other factors and was not a direct effect of the Gadsden Purchase.