4. what was a result of the mexican-american war?

A huge block of new territory was acquired—approximately 525,000 square miles

The Mexican War and the tide of expansionism it unleashed underlined the political control exercised by the South in American political affairs

The addition of new lands touched off new and bitter debates on the slavery issue, as many had predicted

The Americans suffered heavy losses; the nearly 13,000 dead included only about 1,700 in combat—the rest succumbed to rampant disease

The war was a proving ground for young military officers (Jackson, Lee, Meade, Sherman, for example) who would soon put their skills to work in the American Civil War.

The transcontinental railroad provided a means of fast transportation. it cut a 6 month trip into 6 days, created jobs for many people and encouraged immigration. the homestead act played a huge role in western expansion; it allowed settlers to begin a fresh start, and gave them land in exchange for their residence for up to five years and a small fee.