why was the Mexican Cession a significant event?
1) It united different cultural groups living in western areas.
2) It intensified the debate over the expansion of slavery
3) It created a temporary southern border
4) It led to the development of a canal systems to move goods
All of the options provided are correct, as they explain different aspects of the significance of the Mexican Cession.
1) It united different cultural groups living in western areas: The Mexican Cession resulted in a significant increase in the U.S. territory, bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. This integration led to the blending and mixing of various cultural groups, contributing to the diverse society that the United States is today.
2) It intensified the debate over the expansion of slavery: The acquisition of new territory through the Mexican Cession intensified the ongoing debate over the expansion of slavery. The issue of whether the newly acquired lands would allow slavery or be free fueled tensions between the North and the South, leading to further divisions that eventually played a role in the start of the American Civil War.
3) It created a temporary southern border: The Mexican Cession established a temporary southern border between the United States and Mexico, marking territorial boundaries. This border would undergo changes with the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, but the Mexican Cession set the initial framework for border negotiations and influenced future border disputes.
4) It led to the development of canal systems to move goods: The acquisition of the Mexican Cession opened up new opportunities for trade and transportation. The newfound western territories provided the motivation for the development of canal systems and infrastructure to facilitate the movement of goods, further expanding and connecting the growing aspirations of America.