In 1853, the southern portion of new mexico and arizona was sold to the united states.
a. true
b. false

In 1853, the southern portion of New Mexico and Arizona was sold to the United States and this is a true statement. This happened during the Gadsden Purchase on December 30, 1853. The United States bought land from Mexico, specifically present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in a treaty signed by the American ambassador (James Gadsden) to the Mexican ambassador and finally signed by the American president at the time, Franklin Pierce.