What did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo accomplish?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was a significant agreement that marked the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848. This treaty was signed on February 2, 1848, and its primary achievement was the formal cessation of hostilities between the United States and Mexico. It laid the groundwork for the United States’ acquisition of a substantial portion of Mexico's northern territories, which included modern-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This event dramatically shifted the geopolitical landscape of North America and is a cornerstone of California's history, as it directly contributed to the state's rapid growth and settlement in the mid-19th century.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary impact of the treaty. There is no direct connection between the treaty and Chinese immigration; the issue of race relations in urban areas was more complex and arose later, while the status of California as a free state was solidified by subsequent legislative actions rather than by this treaty.