Mexican War and Imperialism

Stephen F. Austin

Leader of American settlement in Texas; known as the Father of Texas.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

President of Mexico who became a dictator and centralized power in 1834.

The Alamo

A pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution where ~200 Texan defenders were defeated by Santa Anna.

Battle of San Jacinto

The battle where Texans captured Santa Anna and forced Mexico to recognize Texas independence.

Lone Star Republic

Independent nation of Texas from 1836 to 1845.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was justified and inevitable.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War and ceded California and New Mexico to the U.S.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico; passed in the House but failed in the Senate.

Henry David Thoreau

Anti-war critic known for his essay Civil Disobedience; refused to pay taxes.

Zachary Taylor

U.S. General during the Mexican-American War, led the Northern campaign.

Free Soil Party

Political party that opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories.

James K. Polk

U.S. President who supported Manifest Destiny and led the nation during the Mexican-American War.

Nueces River

Mexico's claimed border with Texas; disputed by the U.S.

Rio Grande

U.S. claimed border with Mexico after the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Sam Houston

Leader of the Texan forces at the Battle of San Jacinto and later president of the Lone Star Republic.