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Why did the United States take responsibility for claims by its citizens against Mexico?

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How the Mexican-American War changed the U.S. forever — Mexican-American War Learn how the Mexican-American War ultimately pushed the United States closer to civil war.

Under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which concluded the Mexican-American War in 1848, the United States agreed to assume responsibility for more than $3 million in claims held by U.S. citizens against the Mexican government.12

This provision was part of the broader financial settlement associated with the Mexican Cession. In exchange for the acquisition of more than 525,000 square miles of territory—which now comprises parts of several U.S. states—the United States paid Mexico $15 million and committed to settling these outstanding debts. By assuming these claims, the U.S. government effectively cleared the financial liabilities Mexico owed to American citizens as a condition of the peace treaty and the transfer of land.312