The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• By the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (February 1848), California and New Mexico were ceded to the USA
• In return for this huge area (2/5 of USA's present territory) the USA agreed to pay Mexico $15 million - Polk was unhappy
• Despite the fact that USA had gained everything it had gone to war for, he though that even more territory could have been gained
• Supported by Southerners, Polk considered rejecting the treaty
• However, given northern opinion and the fact that some southerners hesitated in ruling Mexicans mixed Spanish and Indian population, he agreed and the treaty was ratified by Senate in May 1848