Final answer:
The Mexican-American War resulted in tensions between the United States and Mexico, land dispossession for Hispanic populations, and increased hostilities with Native Americans. The California Gold Rush contributed to westward expansion, attracting thousands of prospectors to California in search of gold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mexican-American War, which occurred from 1846-1848, had several effects. It increased tensions between the United States and Mexico, as well as throughout Latin America. After the war, Hispanic populations in Texas and California were pushed out of the dominant society, resulting in land dispossession and political disenfranchisement. Westward expansion also led to increased hostilities with Native Americans and further fueled the debate over slavery.
The California Gold Rush, which took place between 1848 and 1849, had a significant impact on westward expansion. The discovery of gold in California attracted thousands of people from around the world, known as 'forty-niners,' who migrated to the region in search of wealth. It led to a cycle of boom and bust as gold was discovered, mined, and stripped. The population growth in California accelerated the sectional divide and forced a quick decision on the issue of slavery.