What was purchased from Mexico by President Pierce in 1853 for $10 million to facilitate a transcontinental railroad?

The Gadsden Purchase, which was finalized in 1853 for $10 million, was significant for its role in facilitating the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad. This land acquisition involved purchasing a specific strip of land from Mexico that is primarily located in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico.

President Franklin Pierce aimed to enhance the United States' ability to expand its transportation network across the continent, which was crucial for economic growth and the movement of people and goods. The Gadsden Purchase was a strategic move to overcome the geographic challenges posed by the Rocky Mountains and to ensure a more direct and efficient route for the railroad.

The significance of this purchase also lay in its timing; it came shortly after the Mexican-American War, which had resulted in the U.S. acquiring vast territories from Mexico. The Gadsden Purchase can be seen as part of the broader context of U.S. expansionism during the 19th century, often aligned with the ideas of Manifest Destiny.