Which treaty ended the Mexican-American War?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo marked the formal end of the Mexican-American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848. Signed on February 2, 1848, this treaty resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. In exchange for this land, the United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and assume certain claims of American citizens against Mexico.

This treaty was crucial in shaping the boundaries of the modern-day United States and was a significant moment in American expansionism, often associated with the concept of Manifest Destiny, which was the belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America. The treaty not only ended hostilities but also had lasting implications for both nations involved, influencing their relationship for years to come.

In contrast to the other options, the Ghent Treaty primarily ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The Treaty of Paris refers to multiple treaties, notably those ending the American Revolutionary War and later the Spanish-American War, but not the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Versailles is known for concluding World War I, making it unrelated to the Mexican-American conflict.