Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

Which war significantly altered the boundaries of the United States and expanded its territory?

1. War of 1812

2. Mexican-American War

3. Spanish-American War

4. Civil War

The correct answer is: Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War, fought between 1846 and 1848, significantly altered the boundaries of the United States and led to a substantial expansion of its territory. As a result of the war and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States acquired over 500,000 square miles of land, which included present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. This territorial expansion was part of the larger concept of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. The acquisition transformed the geographic and political landscape of the nation and set the stage for future debates over slavery, statehood, and regional power dynamics. In contrast, while the War of 1812 did involve disputes over territory and national sovereignty, it did not lead to significant territorial gains for the United States. The Spanish-American War resulted in the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam, but it did not have the same dramatic impact on the continental boundaries of the U.S. The Civil War primarily addressed the issues of slavery and state rights, leading to significant social and political changes, but it did not involve direct territorial expansion.