Texas War for Independence and the Mexican-American War

Stephen Austin establishes a colony in Texas

Jan 17, 1821

• Colonists had to be Roman Catholic- They had to be loyal to the king

Stephen Austin meets with Mexican President Santa Anna

Jul 18, 1833

• He traveled to present petitions for greater self-government for Texas- On his way home Santa Anna had him imprisoned

Mexico places restrictions on American immigration

Jan 1, 1834

• Austin won a repeal of the prohibition on immigration- Over the next year thousands of Anglos streamed into Texas

Battle of Alamo

Feb 23, 1836

• Mexican troops against the Alamo- Mexicans won the battle

Battle of San Jacinto

Apr 21, 1836

• Was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution - Santa Anna was captured and the Texans won

Treaty of Velasco grants TExas Independence

May 14, 1836

• Santa Anna signed the treaty- Consisted of 6 articles

Slidell's Rejection

May 9, 1845

• Was sent to purchase California- Mexican officials refused to see him

U.S. annexes Teaxas

Dec 1, 1845

- Admitted Texas as the 28th state - The U.S. captured additional territory

General Taylor marches troops across Rio Grande

Mar 24, 1846

• He was to block the river- Mexicans viewed this as a violation of their rights

U.S. declares war on Mexico

May 13, 1846

- Known as the First American Intervention - Between the U.S. and Mexico

Zachary Taylor elected president

Jan 1, 1848

• Was elected the 12th president- Last president to hold slaves while in office

Gold discovered at Sutter's Mill, California

Jan 24, 1848

• Made California a bursting center of activity- The gold was to be kept a secret but soon the secret got out

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends war with Mexico

Feb 2, 1848

• Mexico surrendered to the United States- Is a peace treaty

California applies for statehood

Jan 1, 1849

• Their Constitution outlawed slavery- Was the 31st state

Gadsden Purchase

Dec 30, 1853

• Is present day southern Arizona- Last major territorial acquisition in the contiguous United States