Which of the following was a consequence of the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

The signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 marked the end of the Mexican-American War and led to significant territorial changes in North America. Among its most important consequences was the acquisition of vast lands by the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This expansion played a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the United States and contributed to the nation's Manifest Destiny ideology, which advocated for westward expansion.

The other options do not accurately reflect outcomes of the treaty. For example, Texas was already annexed by the United States before the treaty was signed and was not returned to Mexico. Additionally, the Civil War occurred years later, with tensions arising from various factors, including but not limited to territorial expansion. The Compromise of 1850, which aimed to resolve issues stemming from territorial gains after the war, came as a result of the ramifications of the treaty but was not a direct outcome of the signing itself. Thus, the acquisition of land, particularly California and New Mexico, stands out as a primary and direct consequence of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.