In what year was the Mexican Cession acquired by the United States?

The Mexican Cession was acquired by the United States in 1848 as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which concluded the Mexican-American War. This treaty led to the U.S. gaining a significant amount of territory, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. The acquisition was crucial in expanding the United States westward, fulfilling the concept of Manifest Destiny, which was the belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America.

The year 1846 marked the beginning of the conflict with Mexico, and while 1847 was a year of military engagements, the formal acquisition of land took place with the signing of the treaty in 1848. Thus, understanding the timeline of the events surrounding the Mexican-American War and the subsequent treaty is essential for grasping the importance of the Mexican Cession in U.S. history.