Here is a very brief description of what life was like for slaves before the Emancipation Proclamation. Includes a photo of a slave named Washington Edwards, who was brought to Texas before the Mexican War.

This site has a instructional activity about the ranching industry, creation of California towns and the changes over time. Contains information, inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, and images.

This Khan Academy resource provides notes for American History. "Manifest Destiny" is explained on this resource, along with the implications associated with expansion of the North American continent.

Origins of this Mexican Holiday date back to the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This site explores the events that make this a special date in Mexican history.

The Wilmot Proviso, proposed by David Wilmot, was an amendment to the James Polk appropriations bill to gain funding for the settlement of the Mexican-American War. It stated that slavery should be banned in the territories acquired from...

A map of the area between Mexico City and Vera Cruz showing the route of General Scott during his campaign in the Mexican-American War (1847). The map shows the battle sites, including the siege of Fort San Juan de Ulloa and Vera Cruz,...

Read a brief biography of Winfield Scott Hancock, Democratic candidate for president in 1880. Read about his career in the military, and discover his fate as candidate.

Lone Star Junction identifies an extensive list of high-profile Texans prior to 1900. A chart informs readers what general role in Texas history each person was involved in from Texas Revolution, Indian Wars, Civil War, and the...

Article by Henry Sage explaining the history of California, how it became a state, and how President Polks desire to acquire California contributed to the Mexican-American War.

Explains how Texas came to become part of the Union in 1845, at its own request. This precipitated the Mexican-American War.

Hidalgo Castello was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader. He is regarded by most Mexican people as the "Father of the Country" and was founder of the Mexican War of Independence movement which fought for...

George Brinton McClellan was born at Philadelphia, December 3, 1826. He was for two years a student in the University of Virginia, but in 1842 he became a cadet at West Point, where he was the youngest in his class. He made his mark,...

(1803-1862) American soldier who fought in the Black Hawk War, the war for Texan independence, the Mexican War, and was killed at Shiloh in the Civil War where he was fighting for the Confederate army, commanding the forces in the west.

General Thomas, born in Southampton County, Va., July 31st, 1816, died in San Francisco, Cal., March 28th, 1870; was graduated from the United States Military Academy, July 1st, 1840, and commissioned second lieutenant in the Third...

General Ewell, born in Georgetown, D. C., February 8th, 1817, died in Springfield, Tenn., January 25th, 1872, was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1840; served in the Mexican War, and was promoted captain, August 4th,...

Rear Admiral Alden, born in Portland, Me., March 31st, 1810, died in San Francisco, Cal., February 6th, 1877. He was appointed midshipman in 1828, and in that capacity accompanied the Wilkes Exploring Expedition around the world in...

General Sam Houston won a complete victory over Santa Anna, the Mexican President, in the Mexican War.-E. Benjamin Andrews 1895

General Santa Anna was the Mexican President during the Mexican War.-E. Benjamin Andrews 1895

Admiral Farragut, born at Campbell's Station, near Knoxville, Tenn., July 5th, 1801, died in Portsmouth, N. H., August 14th, 1870. He was appointed to the navy from his native State, and as a midshipman saw active service as early as...

General Ord, born in Cumberland, Md., October 18th, 1818, died in Havana, Cuba, July 22nd, 1883, was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1839, and assigned to the Third Artillery. He served with distinction in the...

General Patterson, born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, January 12th, 1792, died in Philadelphia, Pa., August 7th, 1881. He was commissioned first lieutenant of infantry in the War of 1812, and afterward served on General Joseph...

(1813-1891) Admiral Porter fought in the Mexican war and the Civil War.

General Pleasonton, born in Washington, D. C., June 7th, 1824, was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1844; served in the Mexican War, and was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles...

(1826-1885) American general in Mexican War and Civil War