The history of Texas includes its time as a Spanish colony, a Mexican territory, an independent republic, and eventually a U.S. state in 1845. It is known for events like the Battle of the Alamo and its key role in westward expansion and frontier life.
The Comanche Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Oklahoma, descended from the powerful Comanche people who once ruled the Southern Plains. Today, the Nation preserves Comanche culture, language, and traditions while providing services to its citizens.
In 1541, de Soto and his Spanish expedition became the first Europeans known to enter Arkansas. They crossed the Mississippi River and traveled through eastern and central Arkansas, including areas near the Mississippi Delta, the White River, and possibly the Ouachita Mountains.
In 1682, La Salle traveled down the Mississippi River from the north to the Gulf of Mexico. During this journey, he passed through eastern Arkansas and made contact with Native American tribes, including the Quapaw.
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in 1803 where the United States bought a large area of land from France. This purchase doubled the size of the U.S. and included land that would become all or part of 15 states, including Arkansas.
Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836 after a series of conflicts, including the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texan forces led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexican army and captured General Santa Anna. Following this victory, Texas became an independent republic, which was later annexed by the United States in 1845, sparking tensions that led to the Mexican-American War.
The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) was a conflict between the United States and Mexico following the U.S. annexation of Texas and disputes over the southern border. It ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, through which the U.S. gained a large portion of the Southwest and established the Rio Grande as the border with Mexico.
The Comanche Wars were a series of conflicts between the Comanche and U.S. forces in the southern plains, sparked by settler expansion and broken government promises. Despite fierce resistance, including major battles like Adobe Walls, the Comanche were eventually forced onto a small reservation, losing most of their ancestral lands.
