Outcomes of the Mexican-American War

During the mid-19th century, tensions between the United States and Mexico escalated over territorial disputes, leading to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846. The conflict was fueled by the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which argued that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. As a result of the war, the U.S. acquired vast territories, significantly shaping the future of the nation. Which of the following was a direct outcome of the Mexican-American War?