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Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The end of the Mexican-American War and the beginning of Arizona. Nicholas Trist negotiated the peace treaty on Feb. 2 1848, granting 500,000 sq. miles, including Arizona, from Mexico to the U.S. "This was known as the Mexican Cession and included present-day Arizona and New Mexico," continuing, "Mexico also relinquished all claims to Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as the southern boundary with the United States." (National Archives, The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo). -
Establishment of Fort Yuma
Initially erected by U.S. Army in California's side of the Colorado River, (directly across from present-day Yuma), Fort Yuma served an important part of sheltering immigrants, solidifying U.S. military presence in developing southwest following Mexican-American War. It also was important for establishing mail routes. (Roberts et al. Fort Yuma). -
Southern Pacific Railroad Meets Tucson
The day Tucson's first train arrived. With this rail line brought connection to the national rail network giving Arizona a "modern" way to facilitate trade, migrations and additional military aid. This rail line turned Tucson (at the time) into a transportation buzz. (DeFeo, The Day The Railroad Came To Tucson – railfanning.org) -
Arizona Achieves Statehood
Although residents of AZ wanted statehood prior to1912, finally on the day of February 14, 1912, President Howard Taft agreed to terms of constitution and Arizona was finally admitted as a state. This was important for AZ's economic development, women's suffrage, and infrastructure development. (Davis, Arizona statehood anniversary: In Custodia legis). -
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Mexican Repatriation from Arizona
This repatriation happened during the Great Depression, around 18,500 Mexican American's were 'encouraged', by the U.S. government to go back to their country of origin. This was in hopes to aid in job competition and food scarcity. (Hoffman, Unwanted Mexican Americans in The Great Depression). -
Great Depression: New Deal and Other Programs
While to Great Depression was devastating across the U.S., Arizona was hit particularly hard. This lead to widespread unemployment and economic 'drought'. This caused President Roosevelt to enact programs such as CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps and WPA, Works Progress Administration which helped with infrastructure and job scarcity. (Cervenka, Building south mountain - the CCC and the landscape of the new deal). -
Hoover Dam Construction
Between 1931-1936, construction on the Hoover Dam was in progress. The Colorado River was diverted to use it's large (now dwindling) water supply, to provide water to across the states. Not only water but energy as well. (Bureau of Reclamation, Hoover dam). -
Japanese American incarceration
During a disappointing time in Arizona history- two towns in Arizona, Poston and Gila River, were home to two of the largest internment camps in the U.S. Across the western U.S. and Hawaii, housed up to 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII. Leading to higher prejudices and racism towards the Japanese American communities. (Japanese American incarceration). -
Post-WWII Military Expansion in Arizona: 1945-1950's
After WWII Luke AFB was deactivated as they only had 229 pilots training. However, following the beginning of the Cold war, it was then reactivated and remained open hence forth. "With the start of the Korean war, Luke was reactivated on 1 Feb 1951 as Luke Air Force Base, part of the Air Training Command. " Additionally, "the base was transferred from Air Training Command to Tactical Air Command." Luke AFB continues to bring families and economic structure to AZ in present day. -
Immigration and Nationality Act Signed
Although the signing did not occur in Arizona, the Hart-Cellar Act, or Immigration and Nationality Act signed by President Johnson, brought Latin American and Asian immigrants to to Arizona. This contributed to our rich cultural diversity and economic development. (U.S. immigration since 1965). -
Southeast Asian Refugees Resettle in Arizona
Following the Vietnam War, approx. 300,000 refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia fled from the chaos and danger of their countries. With this, Congress decided to amend the Hart-Cellar Act, "The Act also changed the definition of 'refugee' to a person with a 'well-founded fear of persecution,'" Also, "and built on already existing public-private partnerships that helped refugees settle and adjust to life in their new country." (National Archives, Refugee act of 1980). -
NAFTA Begins
NAFTA or North American Fair Trade Agreement, was an agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to eliminate barriers such as tariffs, this made it easier to move goods and services across the borders. This agreement turned Arizona into a busy international trading area as it borders Mexico. (Sanders, Binational Freight Corridor Study). -
Legal Arizona Workers Act Takes Effect
More commonly known as the Employer Sanctions Law, the Legal Workers Act prohibits businesses in AZ from hiring illegal immigrants and addresses that all employers use the E-Verify system. Granting AZ Superior Courts authority to suspend or revoke licenses of businesses found in violation. (State E-verify action). -
SB 1070: AZ'S Controversial Anti-Immigrant Law
SB1070, also known as Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, is a legislative act that was the strictest illegal immigrant law passed in the U.S. It aimed to prevent illegal immigration but was controversial as it targeted those who appeared Latino and many others who may have sounded or looked foreign by police standards. (SB 1070 at the Supreme Court: What's at stake) -
DACA in Arizona
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, was a policy enacted by Present Obama allowing for certain individuals who met a specific criteria to ask for deferred action from deportation, which was also available for renewal. DACA allows for these individuals to work and go to school as well, contributing to a large population of the Arizona schools and work force. (Arizona - data on immigrant students: Higher ed immigration portal).