Texas History- Chapter 11 Lesson 2

Texas History- Chapter 11 Lesson 2

Victory or Death

ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why does conflict develop?

IT MATTERS BECAUSE

While the defenders of the Alamo eventually fell to superior Mexican forces, the Texans’ bravery in the battle inspired others to continue the fight for independence.

Multiple Choice

In what city was the mission, the Alamo, located in?

• San Antonio

• Goliad

• Nacogdoches

• Matamoros

Defending the Alamo

• Texans realized they did not have enough defenders against Mexican forces at the Alamo.

• Bowie and Travis believed holding the Alamo was vital to Texan independence.

• February 23, Santa Anna sent a letter asking for their surrender. Travis responded by firing a single canon shot.

Preparing the Defenses

• The Texans had many defenses. The walls of the Alamo were 2-3 feet thick.

• They had 21 canons to help fortify the walls, including a large canon at the corner that could should from both directions.

• The Texans were also very determined, but they did suffer weaknesses.

• The surrounding wall was somewhat incomplete, with crumbling walls. The chapel had a large hole in the wall.

• Two most significant weaknesses: Travis had to defend a huge area and his army was only about 200 men, which was not much against the large Mexican army.

Layout of the Alamo

Multiple Choice

True of False: The Alamo had some defenses, but it had some major weaknesses as well.

• True

• False

Travis’s Plea for Aid

• Travis saw the Alamo as being essential to Texan victory and how it symbolized the Texans determination. Therefore, he knew he would need more help.

• Travis wrote messages to both the U.S. and Texas. Some help did arrive, but not nearly enough.

• The most disappointing was Fannin in Goliad, who failed to bring 300 men. Instead, George Kimball brough 32 men from Gonzales.

• Santa Anna issued a red flag, which meant that there would be no survivors if the Mexicans were to capture the Alamo.

• Travis had Albert Martin and James Bonham with letters. Both returned to fight. March 3, Travis sent one last plea to Washington-on-the-Brazos for help, but was not given any.

Against Heavy Odds

• More Mexican soldiers began to arrive, and it became apparent that there would be no victory for the Texans.

• The Mexican forces bombarded the walls daily, and, although the Texans had canons and Kentucky rifles, they were greatly outnumbered.

• By March 5, Travis honestly addressed the group. He drew a line in the dirt and told all the men to choose to leave or stay to defend.

• According to the story, all but one chose to stay, despite knowing they would lose. Most importantly, almost all 200 men chose to stay and fight.

• Nearly all of them were volunteers!

Multiple Choice

Nearly all of those at the Alamo were volunteers.

• True

• False

Fierce Fighting

• March 5, Mexican troops planned an attack at dawn. They attacked at 5am on March 6. Many estimate there were as many as 1,800 Mexican forces.

• Texans fired a heavy wave of canons and rifles in both the first and second waves of the Mexican army causing them to fall.

• By the third wave, the much larger force of Mexican attackers overwhelmed the Texan defenders and they reached the walls and the Texans were forced into the compound.

• William B. Travis was killed- defending the North Wall.

Fighting Back

• Both sides used all means necessary, which included knives, clubs, and rifles. After 90 minutes, the attack was officially over.

• The exact number of Texans killed that day is unknown. Santa Anna tells of 600 Texan lives, however, historians believe it be about 190. Among those dead include Travis, Bowie, and Crockett.

• Conflicting reports about Crockett and six others surviving do exist. According to those reports, Santa Anna had them executed.

• Total Mexican losses were also difficult to calculate, but historians believe the number to be about 600. Regardless or the number, Santa Anna paid a heavy number in Mexican lives lost.

Multiple Choice

Santa Anna suffered heavy losses at the Alamo.

• True

• False

"Remember the Alamo!"

• One Alamo defender did survive, however. Brigido Guerrero of San Antonio convinced Santa Anna that he had been a prisoner of the Texans and was forced to fight against his will.

• Women and children also survived. They returned to Gonzales and delivered the disappointing news.

• The debate of the importance of the Alamo lives on, but some of these include: 1. It delayed Santa Anna's troops. 2. It gave political leaders time to form their government. 3. It encouraged citizens of the U.S. to help in the fight.

• MOST IMPORTANTLY, it inspired Texans to keep up the fight for indepndence. The new battle cry became "Remember the Alamo!" because of this.

Multiple Choice

What was the most important thing to come out of the Battle of the Alamo?

• it inspired Texans

• U.S. support

• Santa Anna got scared

Sam Houston's Army

"Remember the Alamo!"

​***Points to Remember***

-The Alamo’s strong walls and numerous cannons made it a valuable fortress.

-Travis was honest with his troops about their certain defeat.

-The most powerful cannon inside the Alamo was placed so it could shoot at the attackers in two different directions.

-James Fannin was originally supposed to bring 300 soldiers to the Alamo in reply to Travis’s plea, however, George C. Kimbell only brought 32 men from Gonzales.

-With Kimbell was Albert Martin, who had delivered Travs's "Victory or Death" letter, knowing he would face certain death.

-Santa Anna’s troops did not overrun the Alamo until their THIRD assault.

-The number of casualties for the opposing forces at the Alamo showed the determination of the Texan forces.

-The Mexican victory at the Alamo was due to the much larger amount of Mexican troops.

-The battle cry "Remember the Alamo!" showed the dedication the Texans had to winning independence.

-The bravery of those who fought at the Alamo inspired others to continue the fight for Texas independence.