What was the significance of the Gadsden Purchase?

The Gadsden Purchase, finalized in 1854, holds significant importance primarily because it settled certain border disputes between the United States and Mexico, particularly in the territories that would later become parts of Arizona and New Mexico. It facilitated the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad, which was seen as essential for economic expansion and the movement of goods and people across the continent. This purchase allowed the U.S. to secure a more manageable and direct route for transportation, which was critical during that period of westward expansion.

While the other options address important aspects of U.S.-Mexico relations and domestic policies, they do not capture the primary reasons for the significance of the Gadsden Purchase. It was not primarily about providing land for Native American reservations; rather, it was focused on settlement and practical infrastructure needs. Additionally, the Gadsden Purchase did not end the Mexican-American War; that conflict concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Lastly, while trade agreements with Mexico are a broader topic in U.S.-Mexico relations, this particular purchase was specifically about land acquisition rather than trade.