Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821. A Mexican congress convened, establishing a new government and selecting a general named Augustín de Iturbide to serve as the first Emperor of Mexico. Emperor Augustín almost immediately fell into conflict with the congress and dissolved the body later that year. This immediately caused another rebellion, and the Emperor was forced to abdicate just two years later.
A republic was established, dominated by the revolutionary general Antonio López de Santa Anna, who had repelled a Spanish attempt to retake the country, and was elected president eleven times. During this time, however, Mexico began to run into conflict with the United States.
In 1835, the Mexican state of Texas declared independence. It was largely populated by English speakers, and also wanted to maintain slavery, which Mexico had made illegal in 1829. Santa Anna swiftly attempted to put down the rebellion, notably putting down a garrison at the Alamo mission near San Antonio. The following year, however, Santa Anna was defeated by a Texan army under the command of Sam Houston.
In 1846, Texas applied for statehood and joined the United States, leading to a full-scale Mexican-American War in 1848. The United States won rather easily, annexing nearly half of Mexico's territory - including New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California.
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