What outcome resulted from the capture of California during the Mexican-American War?

The correct choice reflects a significant consequence of the Mexican-American War, namely the expansion of U.S. territory to the Pacific Ocean. When the United States captured California in 1846, it marked a pivotal moment in U.S. expansionism. This acquisition was part of a larger context of Manifest Destiny, a belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent.

California's capture not only added a vast area of land but also facilitated the establishment of a U.S. presence on the West Coast. Following the war, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 formalized the U.S. acquisition of California, along with other territories such as Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The incorporation of California into the United States contributed to increased commerce and migrations, particularly during the Gold Rush of 1849, and reshaped the national landscape, both geographically and politically.

This expansion to the Pacific also laid the groundwork for future developments in infrastructure, such as railroads and telegraph lines, which would connect the eastern and western parts of the country. The ramifications of this territorial change are still evident in contemporary discussions about U.S. identity and geography.