In 1835, Mexican president Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (1794-1876) threw out the nation’s constitution and made himself dictator.
Many Americans in Texas, as well as Tejanos (Mexicans in Texas), hated this blow to their liberty. While most Tejanos wanted to remain part of Mexico, Texan Americans demanded full independence. In the Texas Revolution (1835-1836), independence was achieved.
Mexican soldiers under Santa Anna stormed into the Alamo on March 6, 1836, and killed all the rebels for Texan independence gathered inside. Their attack sparked even louder calls for Texan independence from Mexico.
In the Battle of Buena Vista, fought February 23, 1847, General Zachary Taylor leads U.S. forces against the Mexican army, on the right.
About 272 U.S. soldiers died and 387 were wounded in the encounter; 2,000 Mexicans died there.
