Guadalupe Hidalgo, << gwahth ah LOO pay ee THAHL goh or `gwahd` uhl OOP hih DAHL goh, >> Treaty of, officially ended the Mexican War (1846-1848). The United States and Mexico signed the treaty on Feb. 2, 1848, after conducting negotiations at Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, now part of Mexico City. Under the treaty, Mexico ceded (surrendered) land that now makes up California, Nevada, and Utah, most of Arizona, and parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. This land became known as the Mexican Cession. The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million for the land and to pay all past claims held by American citizens against Mexico up to a total of $3,250,000. The treaty guaranteed Mexicans in the ceded territory the protection of their property and freedom of religion. Also under the treaty, Mexico gave up all claims to Texas. See also Hispanic Americans (Conflict) ; Mexican War .
