Mexican American War

5 mins a day

Stephen Austin

Early leader of the Texas Revolution guided the first group of Americans into Texas in 1823.

General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna

Mexican general who attempted to assert authority over Texans with his strong military. Led 3000 troops to defeat the Texans at the battle of the Alamo.

Alamo

Conflict March 6-13, 1836, between Texan forces and Mexican troops with the Americans having 200 Hardcore Texans and around 3000 Mexican soldiers. Texans eventually over run after 2 hard weeks of fighting with all defenders being killed beginning American and Mexican tensions.

Captain William Travis

Key figure in the Texas revolution known for his leadership at the Alamo, where he famously yelled “Victory or Death” during the conflict.

Davy Crocket/Jim Bowie

Two Texas fighters for independence seen as Martyrs at the Alamo.

Sam Houston

Rallied the Texas independence movement through his famous battle cry telling the people to “Remember the Alamo.” He was the commander of the Texan army and led the decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Battle of San Jacinto River

Final battle of the Texas War of Independence Houston forced dSanta Anna to sign two treaties. These treaties called for the withdrawal of all Mexican troops from Texas as well as the recognition of the Rio Grande River as the border between Texas and Mexico.

Annexation of Texas Debate

The ‘political hot potato’ of the time, due to the use of slavery and the balance of free and slave states in Congress, the annexation was a contentious issue.

Rio Grande/Nueces River Conflict

Dispute over the territorial boundary between Texas and Mexico, rooted in the differing interpretations of the Rio Grande and Nueces River as the border.

American Blood on American Soil

A phrase used to justify the U.S. declaration of war against Mexico, asserting that American soldiers had been attacked on U.S. territory, thus rallying support for the war.

Winfield Scot-Vera Cruz/Mexico City

A significant military campaign during the Mexican-American War led by General Winfield Scott, culminating in the capture of Mexico City.

Treaty Hidalgo (1848)

Treaty ending the Mexican American War which had two parts. Mexico recognized the Rio Grande River as the southern boundary of Texas and ceded California and New Mexico.

Mexican Cession

Mexico cedes Texas, California, and New Mexico to the United States.