Perception of Outcomes of the Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was marked by several key events and treaties that reshaped U.S. territorial boundaries. The war stemmed from disputes related to the annexation of Texas and the desire of the United States to acquire California and New Mexico. One of the pivotal elements of this conflict was the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which concluded the war and significantly expanded U.S. territory. After the treaty was ratified, contested land claims and issues regarding the rights of inhabitants in the newly acquired territories emerged. In examining the motivations behind U.S. expansionism during this period, particularly toward Mexico, which of the following best explains how the results of the Mexican-American War were perceived by contemporaneous leaders in the United States?