The Alamo:The Siege and Battle

History Through Film

Mr. Clark

“If we succeed, the country is ours. It is immense in extent, and fertile in its soil and will amply reward our toil. If we fail, death in the

cause of liberty and humanity is not cause for shuddering. Our rifles are by our side, and choice guns

they are, we know what awaits us, and are prepared to meet it.”

Letter from Daniel William Cloud of Kentucky, a defender of the Alamo, en route to San Antonio,

dated Dec. 26, 1835.

Background• At this time, America was driven

by the concept of “Manifest Destiny.”

• The belief that the U.S. basically had a God-given right to occupy and "civilize" the whole continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

American Progress by John Gast (1872)

Background

• 1821: Mexico needed settlers in the under-populated parts of the country (taxes & Indians).

• Mexico invites all people who would take an oath of allegiance to Mexico and convert to Catholicism; in return they would receive land.

• Stephen F. Austin and thousands of settlers move into area

Problems Arise• Texans began to govern themselves

because Mexico neglects area• after a few years, Texans

outnumbered native Mexicans in the area four to one (20,000 to 5,000)

• Mexico suspicious that Texans are part of a plot by the United States to take area

• most of the TX settlers had brought slaves; but slavery was illegal in Mexico

• Settlers do not practice Catholic religion as the Mexican government had hoped when they settled there

Conflict• 1830: Mexico

ends immigration into the area

• D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna becomes leader of Mexico

Conflict• Santa Anna tries

to bring the renegade area of Texas back under Mexican control; despite the protests of the Texans living there

• May 1835: Santa Anna begins violence against foreigners (Texans) in Mexico

• shooting war breaks out between the Mexican government and the Texas-American settlers

The Alamo

• Dec. 10, 1835: Texans occupy the Spanish mission called the Alamo (cannons)

• February 15, 1836 - Santa Anna arrives

• Every Texan rebel would be executed or exiled

• other settlers would be sent to the interior and replaced with Mexican settlers

• immigration would be stopped forever.

• February 23, 1836 -- Vanguard of the Mexican army arrives at San Antonio and the siege of the Alamo begins.

Famous Defenders

•James Bowie

•David Crockett

•William Travis

James Bowie• Known for his famous "Bowie

knife" • born in Kentucky in 1796• acquired a reputation as a reckless

knife fighter and adventurer • In 1827, Bowie participated in a

brawl in MISS where several men were killed; moved to TX.

• In command of the volunteers at The Alamo

• pneumonia disabled Bowie, and he was confined to his cot at the time of his death on March 6, 1836

David Crockett• best known in TN as a

hunter and storyteller.

• born August 17, 1786 in NE TENN

• 1821: elected to the State Legislature

• 1827-1833: served in the US Congress

• Heads for TX in 1835

• Died at Alamo in 1836

William Barrett Travis• AUG 9, 1809: Born in SC• studied law • Married at 19, had child at 20• began publication of a

newspaper, became a Mason, and joined the militia.

• Marriage fails; Travis abandons wife, son, and an unborn daughter, and heads for Texas.

• January 1836: Travis enters the Alamo with about 30 men and takes command

• Travis was only 26 years of age at the time of his death.

Approx. 200 Texans

Approx. 6000 Mexican troops; 1500 take part in assault

• Sunday, March 6, 1836 -On the 13th day of the siege, the Alamo is stormed before dawn, in darkness.

• The Mexicans are unable to get over the walls until the 3rd attempt.

• Hand-to-Hand and close fighting goes on for anything from one to five hours.

The Alamo• The size of the

attack force was about 1,400-1,500. Mexican losses are about 600 men.

• Almost all of Texans killed

• The garrison of the Alamo is destroyed, although some individuals do survive.

• About a half dozen wounded prisoners were brought before Santa Anna, who had them killed on the spot.