The United States-Mexico Border Timeline
The US Mexico Border
Pre-1519
U.S.-Mexico border region is inhabited by many Native American groups who have lived in the area for centuries.
1535
Spain establishes colonial government in Mexico.
1819
Adam-Onis Treaty: U.S.-Mexico boundary established by Spain and the United States.
1821
Mexico wins independence from Spain.
1824
Mexico becomes a republic. |
1846
The U.S. Mexico war begins.
1848
Gold is discovered at Sutter’s Mill in the Sacramento Valley area of California. By 1849, large numbers of U.S. pioneers and immigrants from around the world travel to the mining area. Many gold seekers set up camps on Mexican-held land, forcing out some of the original landowners.
1848
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo brings the U.S.-Mexican War to an end.
1883
Chinese labor is reduced because of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and railroad companies search for alternative sources of cheap labor. Mexican workers are increasingly recruited.
1890
Increasingly, Mexican Americans work for the railroads. Railroad construction continues throughout the early 20th century.
1890
Copper mining continues to lure people to Arizona, driving more Mexican Americans from their lands.
1900
Copper, silver, and zinc are found in Arizona and New Mexico; Texas begins to mine salt, leading to further expulsion of Mexican American land owners.
1904
The first border patrol is established to stop Asian workers from coming into the United States through Mexico.
1910
Mexican Revolution begins. Thousands of Mexicans flee across the border for safety.
1921
The Immigration Act of 1921 restricts the immigration of Southern and Eastern Europeans. Agriculture lobbyists rally to block the movement to include Mexicans in the proposition.
1924
Largely due to a lack of immigration quotas, more than 89,000 Mexicans come into the United States on permanent visas, making 1924 the peak year for Mexican immigration.
1924
Immigration Act of 1924 halts the
Pre-1519
U.S.-Mexico border region is inhabited by many Native American groups who have lived in the area for centuries.
1535
Spain establishes colonial government in Mexico.
1819
Adam-Onis Treaty: U.S.-Mexico boundary established by Spain and the United States.
1821
Mexico wins independence from Spain.
1824
Mexico becomes a republic. |
1846
The U.S. Mexico war begins.
1848
Gold is discovered at Sutter’s Mill in the Sacramento Valley area of California. By 1849, large numbers of U.S. pioneers and immigrants from around the world travel to the mining area. Many gold seekers set up camps on Mexican-held land, forcing out some of the original landowners.
1848
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo brings the U.S.-Mexican War to an end.
1883
Chinese labor is reduced because of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and railroad companies search for alternative sources of cheap labor. Mexican workers are increasingly recruited.
1890
Increasingly, Mexican Americans work for the railroads. Railroad construction continues throughout the early 20th century.
1890
Copper mining continues to lure people to Arizona, driving more Mexican Americans from their lands.
1900
Copper, silver, and zinc are found in Arizona and New Mexico; Texas begins to mine salt, leading to further expulsion of Mexican American land owners.
1904
The first border patrol is established to stop Asian workers from coming into the United States through Mexico.
1910
Mexican Revolution begins. Thousands of Mexicans flee across the border for safety.
1921
The Immigration Act of 1921 restricts the immigration of Southern and Eastern Europeans. Agriculture lobbyists rally to block the movement to include Mexicans in the proposition.
1924
Largely due to a lack of immigration quotas, more than 89,000 Mexicans come into the United States on permanent visas, making 1924 the peak year for Mexican immigration.
1924
Immigration Act of 1924 halts the