Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

What was the outcome of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

1. It established Texas as an independent nation

2. It ended the war between the US and Mexico

3. It annexed Texas into the United States

4. It recognized Mexico's sovereignty over Texas

The correct answer is: It ended the war between the US and Mexico

The outcome of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo primarily served to end the war between the United States and Mexico, which had begun in 1846. This treaty marked a significant turning point in U.S. and Mexican relations and played a crucial role in the territorial expansion of the United States. The treaty not only concluded the war but also led to Mexico ceding a vast amount of territory, which included present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming, along with formal recognition of the Rio Grande as the border between Texas and Mexico. It was a crucial historical moment that reshaped the map of the western United States. While Texas was previously annexed by the U.S. in 1845, the treaty formalized the outcome of the conflict and set the stage for further U.S. expansion. Recognizing the war's end allowed both nations to move forward from a period marked by tension and conflict. Therefore, this aspect of the treaty is essential for understanding its historical significance and impact on subsequent events in the years following the war.