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In 1853, the United States paid Mexico $10 million for the southwestern part of New Mexico and the area in Arizona south of the Gila River in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase. Why did the United States want this piece of land?

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I just did a Study Island and just did this question the study island answer is:

They wanted to build a railroad route through the area.

User UIResponder
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The United States wanted this piece of land, because they wanted to install a train route that would run from an extensive southern route. This railroad would be used to run along the Pacific Coast of the United States.
User Matt McClure
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