The Siege of the Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo

1836

The Mexican Army Advances

Santa Anna led an army of approximately 6,000 soldiers to San Antonio while another group led by General José de Urrea moved toward Goliad. After capturing Goliad, Urrea headed to Matamoros, defeating or capturing many Texans along the way.

Multiple Choice

How many soldiers did Santa Anna lead toward San Antonio?

• 600

• 60

• 6000

How is the Alamo?

Other groups of Texas forces were scattered. Sam Houston worried that the army had limited numbers of soldiers scattered among Matamoros, Goliad, and San Antonio. He sent James “Jim” Bowie to San Antonio with 25 men to evaluate the Alamo and its artillery.

Multiple Choice

Why did Sam Houston to send troops to San Antonio?

• To gather more troops and volunteers

• To evaluate the Alamo and its artillery

• To make an alliance with the Native Americans

Command of the Alamo

Bowie reported that the Alamo was too important to be destroyed. William B. Travis brought soldiers to San Antonio, while Davy Crockett and James Bonham led dozens of volunteers to join the troops of Colonel James Neill at the Alamo. When the colonel left to care for an ill family member, Travis and Bowie agreed to share command.

Multiple Choice

________________ and Bowie shared command at the Alamo.

• William B. Travis

• Jose de Urrea

Troops Needed

Troops at the Alamo built up defenses, but 1,000 soldiers were needed for defense, and the Texans numbered around 150.

Multiple Choice

What was the main weakness of the Texas army in San Antonio?

• Tejano Spies

• Not enough money

• not enough soldiers to defend the Alamo

THE SIEGE BEGINS

On February 23, 1836, a lookout spotted the approach of the Mexican army. Santa Anna demanded the Texans’ surrender. The defenders of the Alamo refused, and the siege began.

Multiple Choice

On which day did the siege of the Alamo begin?

• March 6, 1836

• December 2, 1835

• February 23, 1836

The Letter

Realizing the situation, Travis wrote a famous letter “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World” requesting aid in the face of certain death. When Bowie fell ill, Travis took sole command. 

On February 24, 1836, William B. Travis wrote this famous letter, asking for help.

Victory or Death

Copy the link below in order to play the video about William B. Travis's "Victory or Death" Letter.

https://youtu.be/ddrSvO735L8

The Fall of the Alamo

More help was needed. The Texas forces increased to approximately 200 soldiers. Santa Anna’s army numbered at least 1,800. The Mexican soldiers attacked on March 6 but were halted by the Texans’ resistance. They regrouped and soon overwhelmed the Texans, who suffered many casualties. Almost every defender was killed. Many noncombatants were spared, including Susanna Dickinson. Santa Anna wrongly concluded that the Alamo’s fall would convince Texans to surrender.

Multiple Choice

On which day did the Alamo fall? (When was the Battle of the Alamo?)

• February 23, 1836

• April 21, 1836

• March 2, 1936

• March 6, 1836

Copy the link below in order to play the video "The Alamo Explained"

https://youtu.be/nJOYHh5BQ6o

Multiple Choice

14. Many ___________________ at the Alamo survived the brutal attack of Santa Anna.

• casualties

• noncombatants

Poll

Would you have stayed and fought at the Battle of the Alamo?

• Of course!

• No way!