What was the primary consequence of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

The primary consequence of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was that it ended the Mexican-American War and significantly expanded the territory of the United States. Signed in 1848, the treaty resulted from negotiations after a conflict that had begun in 1846. As a result, the U.S. acquired over 500,000 square miles of territory, including what are now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This acquisition not only increased the size of the nation but also heightened tensions over the expansion of slavery, setting the stage for future conflicts leading up to the Civil War. The treaty thus played a crucial role in shaping the territorial and political landscape of the United States in the 19th century.