What were the significant results of the Mexican-American War?

The significant results of the Mexican-American War include the acquisition of vast territories by the United States, primarily through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. This treaty ended the war and resulted in the U.S. gaining important regions that include present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This expansion had a profound impact on the United States, fueling further debates over slavery and its expansion into the newly acquired territories.

The context surrounding the treaty illustrates the nature of U.S. expansionism during the 19th century, often driven by the idea of Manifest Destiny—the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the North American continent. The acquisition of these territories significantly changed the geopolitical map and economic landscape of the nation, influencing future conflicts and the overall development of the United States.

Other options either misrepresent the outcomes of the war or are unrelated to its immediate consequences, highlighting the complexity of the period but failing to capture the war's primary significance accurately.