Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War: Distinct Conflicts, Shared Battleground
The Texas Revolution began on October 2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales, as tensions escalated between American settlers and the Mexican government under President Antonio López de Santa Anna. A pivotal moment came at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, where Texas secured its independence. The situation intensified when President James K. Polk approved Texas' annexation on December 29, 1845, a decision rejected by Mexico. The Thornton Affair on April 25, 1846, ignited the Mexican-American War, which featured significant confrontations, including the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846, concluding with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848, which ceded vast territories to the U.S. for $15 million.
Key facts
- The Texas Revolution began on October 2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales.
- The Texas Revolution ended on April 21, 1836, with the Battle of San Jacinto, where Santa Anna was captured.
- Texas was annexed by the United States on December 29, 1845, becoming the 28th state.
- The Mexican-American War began on April 25, 1846, with the Thornton Affair.
- The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, ending the Mexican-American War.
- The U.S. acquired 525,000 square miles of territory, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas.
- Mexico received $15 million in compensation.
- General Zachary Taylor won the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846, and later became U.S. president in 1848.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Jefferson
- Antonio López de Santa Anna
- Davy Crockett
- James Bowie
- Sam Houston
- James K. Polk
- John Tyler
- John Slidell
- Zachary Taylor
- Mariano Arista
- Mather Brown
- C. Stuart
- Henry Arthur McArdle
- E. B. & E. C. Kellogg Lithography Company
Institutions
- Smithsonian Institution
- Texas State Library and Archives
- White House
- U.S. Congress
Locations
- Texas
- United States
- Mexico
- Spain
- Britain
- British Canada
- California
- New Mexico
- Gonzales
- San Jacinto
- Bexar
- Alamo
- Goliad
- Rio Grande
- Nueces River
- Palo Alto
- Resaca de la Palma
- Fort Texas
- Mexico City
- Nevada
- Utah
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Wyoming
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Louisiana