Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which treaty ended the Mexican War of 1846-1848?

1. Treaty of Paris

2. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

3. Treaty of Versailles

4. Treaty of Tordesillas

The correct answer is: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The treaty that ended the Mexican War of 1846-1848 is indeed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty was signed on February 2, 1848, and it had significant implications for both the United States and Mexico. Under its terms, Mexico ceded a large portion of its northern territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This expansion fulfilled the U.S. desire for westward growth, which was often referred to as Manifest Destiny. The other treaties mentioned are not related to the Mexican War. The Treaty of Paris is associated with the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Versailles marks the end of World War I, and the Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided newly discovered lands. Thus, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is the correct answer as it specifically addressed the territorial changes resulting from the Mexican-American conflict.