Consequences of the Mexican-American War

In the mid-19th century, the United States found itself in conflict with Mexico over various territorial disputes, notably spurred by the concept of Manifest Destiny. As tensions escalated, the Mexican-American War broke out in 1846 and ended in 1848 with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This conflict raised significant questions about expansionism, slavery, and the implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. Given this background, which of the following statements accurately describes a consequence of the Mexican-American War?