alternatehistory.com

Idea I've had for a timeline with a pod of 1848 with possible some minor pods before then. Feel free to comment and offer criticism on the timeline. Thank you.

Mexican Cession

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American war on February 2, 1848. The treaty would see the United States gain the Northern 2/3 of Mexico with the border being established just south of the city of Tampico[1]. Coinciding with US president James K. Polk territorial desires in Mexico with the exception of Yucatan. The treaty also saw American payment to Mexico to the tune of 20 million dollars with the United States assuming debts owned by the Mexican government to American citizens[2].The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California during the same year saw a gold rush bring in 300,000 people enabling California in 1850 to become the first state from the land gained from Mexico. The gold rush also saw the start of American settlement even deeper into former Mexican lands with the development of a route from the city of Tampico to Guaymas from which ships headed to San Francisco or travelers headed overland[3]. The new territory and the admission of California into the union would bring up tensions between the Northern and Southern United States over the status of slavery in the newly acquired land. These tensions would be defused for the time being by the compromise of 1850. The compromise saw California added as free state with territories of Mexican cession being able to decide if slavery would be allowed or not along with a fugitive slave law which required the return of any slaves to their owners . James K. Polk in keeping with his campaign promise oped not to run for a second term being succeeded by Zachary Taylor whose death would lead to his vice president Millard Fillmore holding the office until 1852.

[1] The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is more harsh and sees the United States taking even more of Northern Mexico.

[2] Larger amount of land taken leads to a higher amount of the United States pays to Mexico.

[3] With American control over the region a route between the two seemed likely.