1. Effects

2. The Mexican-American War
1) U.S. gains new territory
4 EFFECTS d
The United States had taken about 2/5 (40%) of Mexico’s land in the war and subsequent treaty. This greatly increased the size of the United States, allowing for a continuous country from sea-to-shining-sea. Soon, railroads and highways would connect both coasts of the North American continent.

3. The Mexican-American War
2) New States established
4 EFFECTS d
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave the United States all or part of 7 states:
All of California, Nevada & Utah
Most of Arizona & New Mexico
Parts of Colorado & Wyoming

4. The Mexican-American War
3) New disputes about slavery
4 EFFECTS d
The nation was split on the issue of slavery, and new territory meant new debates on whether or not slavery would be allowed there. The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal to make slavery illegal in the territory ceded from Mexico; a wedge issue that split the democratic party, allowing for Republican Abe Lincoln to win the presidency in 1861.

5. The Mexican-American War
4) Compromise of 1850
4 EFFECTS d
The slavery debate was temporarily resolved with the Compromise of This compromise allowed California to enter the union as a free state, but to satisfy pro-slavery politicians, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, meaning Americans in free states were required to return runaway slaves to plantations in the South.
Soon, the nation would be engaged in a Civil War over the issue of states’ rights and slavery.