A map showing the continental United States. Areas designated on the map include the original 13 colonies, the Florida Territory, the Louisiana Purchase, the Texas Annexation, Mexico, the Mexican Cession, The Oregon Territory, the Gadsden Purchase, and the British Cession of 1818. The map above shows the area of land known as the Mexican Cession. How did the outcome of the Mexican-American War affect trade in the United States?

A. It made trade with Asian countries easier.
B. It provided a trade route between the United States and Canada.
C. It prohibited trade between the United States and South America.
D. It had very little impact on trade, since the area gained was mountainous.

Of the options provided the answer is: It made trade with Asian countries easier.

Explanation:

The Mexican Cession of territory now known as California and the Southwestern United States led to a rise in ideological conflicts because there was debate about the expansion of slavery in any newly acquired territories.  The Cession also led to the gold rush in 1849 where many people migrated to California in search of fortune. There was also increased migration from countries like China because of the gold rush as well and push migration factors occurring in China. Trade was expanded westward towards Asia as well. And in later years the rise of the Japanese economy also benefited the region through trade. San Francisco was just a sleepy village called "Yerba Buena" until 1847, but after the Mexican-American war ended it became California's major seaport and received most of the state's imports.  

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