What did california become during the mexican war? a state a territory a mexican colony an independent republic

During the Mexican-American War, California became a territory. Two years later, it became a state.

Explanation:

California was the name given to the northwestern part of the Spanish Empire in North America. The strategic position of the region raised British, French and Russian claims to its territory since the early nineteenth century. The strong immigration of settlers from the United States, also caused by the discovery of gold, triggered the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, following which the region was divided between Mexico and the United States. The Mexican part, Baja California, was later divided into the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. The US side, Upper California, became the US State of California on September 9, 1850.

"they had a large area of land that they owned."