The U.S.-Mexican War, fought from 1846 to 1848, was a pivotal conflict that reshaped North America. Sparked by territorial disputes following the annexation of Texas, the war saw U.S. forces, led by General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott, engage in significant battles across Mexican territory. The conflict concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which resulted in the U.S. acquiring present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. This war not only expanded U.S. territory but also intensified debates over slavery and set the stage for future conflicts.