The Alamo

“Remember the Alamo!” The most famous battle cry in American history echoed across the Texas countryside in 1836, rallying its settlers in their valiant struggle for independence from Mexico. Their inspiration was a heroic band of soldiers who fought to the death to defend the City of San Antonio, and the site of their courageous stand was a small mission-turned-fort called the Alamo. The Alamo invites you to take a trip back in time to the bloody showdown between Mexican dictator Santa Anna’s 4,000 man army and 189 brave American volunteers led by the legendary Davy Crockett, William Barret Travis, and Jim Bowie. The Alamo would be useful for classes on American History, Mexican History, Civics, Geography and Texan History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Part 2

Though fatally outnumbered, the Texas Volunteers refused to surrender the Alamo to Santa Anna's army. The siege lasted 13 days, ending on March 6, 1836, when over a thousand Mexican soldiers stormed the fort, killing every man inside during bloody hand-to-hand combat. Only 16 women and children who had sought refuge within survived to tell the tale. Inspired by the sacrifices made by their fallen comrades, Texas settlers rallied just six weeks later, shouting the immortal battle cry.

Discussion Questions

  1. Of the 189 Texas Volunteers who died at the Alamo, no one death caused more controversy or myth than Davy Crockett. Why was Crockett's death so influential?

  2. Only one Texas Volunteer was buried at the Alamo, the brother of one of Santa Anna's men. Why were the rest denied burial? What is the message Santa Anna sent to the rest of Texas?

  3. What was the impact of the fall of the Alamo on the rest of Texas?

  4. Over 300 people were killed at the Massacre of Goliad, yet the event has never been as famous as the Alamo. Why was the Massacre of Goliad overlooked, while the Alamo became the battle cry for Texas independence?

  5. What is meant by the saying “History transforms, but myth inspires?”

  6. What was the “Second Battle of the Alamo?”

  7. How might the history of Texas and America be different if there was no Battle of the Alamo?
Extended Activities

  1. Design a plan for a monument to the Texas Volunteers at the Alamo. What would your monument emphasize? Who would it include?

  2. Interview your parents about what they think the Alamo was and what it meant. Are their ideas about the Alamo rooted in historical fact or myth?
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