What did the Gadsden Purchase accomplish for the United States?

The Gadsden Purchase, finalized in 1854, was significant for the United States as it aimed to acquire territory that would facilitate the construction of a southern route for a transcontinental railroad. This purchase involved the acquisition of a strip of land from Mexico, located in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico, which was deemed ideal for the railroad due to its relatively flat and navigable terrain. The strategic importance of this land was recognized during a period when the concept of Manifest Destiny was driving expansion westward, and a transcontinental railroad was seen as vital for integrating the national economy and promoting settlement in the West.

While the Gadsden Purchase is connected to the broader context of U.S.-Mexico relations and expansionism, it specifically addressed the logistical needs of railroad infrastructure rather than diplomatic alliances or trading relationships with Canada or Native American tribes. Therefore, the primary accomplishment of the Gadsden Purchase was to secure land for this purpose, which was a critical step in fulfilling America's transportation and economic ambitions in the mid-19th century.