Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

As settlers of the United States expanded westward in the early 1800s, lands were transferred between “international recognized nations” without consulting their Indigenous inhabitants. However, the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, while transferring 55% of Mexico’s land to the U.S., preserved land ownership to all Mexican citizens affected by the treaty. That included the various Pueblo peoples, who continue to reside in New Mexico and Texas.

Treaty Article VII:

“In the said territories, property of every kind...shall be inviolably respected. The present owners, the heirs of these, and all Mexicans who may hereafter acquire said property by contract, shall enjoy with respect to it guarantees equally ample as if the same belonged to citizens of the United States.”

Additional Resources

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848 (Signed Exchange Copy) in US National Archives
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo transcript, context, and classroom materials from US National Archives
  • with map and more resources, in English and en Español
• Maps, 1847 and 1852-3 (Library of Congress)
• Map with treaty acquisition, 1848 (US National Archives)
• More context:
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
  • Aboriginal Title
    • in New Mexico
    • in California

Treaties Trading Card

• Treaties Trading Card #8: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848