The Battle of the The Battle of the AlamoAlamo

13 Days that forever changed the 13 Days that forever changed the history of North Americahistory of North America

Santa Anna’s army arrivesSanta Anna’s army arrives

On February 23, Alamo defenders were On February 23, Alamo defenders were shocked to see the beginning of the shocked to see the beginning of the Mexican force arriving in San AntonioMexican force arriving in San Antonio

Texans barely make it into the Alamo Texans barely make it into the Alamo before the Mexican cavalry arrives in before the Mexican cavalry arrives in the city.the city.

Mexican forces quietly occupy San Mexican forces quietly occupy San Antonio and begin surrounding the Antonio and begin surrounding the Alamo.Alamo.

Bowie and TravisBowie and Travis

Bowie estimated that 1,000 troops Bowie estimated that 1,000 troops would be needed to defend the Alamo. would be needed to defend the Alamo.

They believed that holding the Alamo at They believed that holding the Alamo at any cost was vital to the future of Texas any cost was vital to the future of Texas

The mission walls were incomplete, The mission walls were incomplete, hampering the defense. hampering the defense.

Victory or DeathVictory or DeathTravis wrote several messages to the Travis wrote several messages to the

people of Texas and to the United people of Texas and to the United States asking for assistance States asking for assistance

Travis received little response to his Travis received little response to his pleas for aid because the Texas forces pleas for aid because the Texas forces were poorly organized.were poorly organized.

On March 1, only 32 reinforcements On March 1, only 32 reinforcements arrived at the Alamo from Gonzales.arrived at the Alamo from Gonzales.

James BonhamJames Bonham

•Lifelong friend of William Travis

•Was a great horseman

•Sent on several missions to get help from Texans around the Alamo

•Reportedly went to Goliad were Fannin refused to move

•Rode through the Mexican lines in order to get back into the Alamo

•He died defending the fort on March 6, 1836

Red Flag of DeathRed Flag of DeathAt his headquarters in San Fernando At his headquarters in San Fernando

Church, Santa Anna flew the red “no Church, Santa Anna flew the red “no quarters” flag, meaning that he would quarters” flag, meaning that he would take no prisoners.take no prisoners.

Mexican buglers played throughout the Mexican buglers played throughout the night to keep the Alamo defenders night to keep the Alamo defenders unnerved.unnerved.

The song they played, “Deguello” was The song they played, “Deguello” was the song of death, and let the defenders the song of death, and let the defenders know they would all die if they foughtknow they would all die if they fought

Facing Certain Death Facing Certain Death

On March 5, Travis explained to his On March 5, Travis explained to his troops that remaining at the Alamo troops that remaining at the Alamo meant certain death.meant certain death.

According to legend, he drew a line on According to legend, he drew a line on the ground with his sword and invited the ground with his sword and invited those who wished to stay to cross the those who wished to stay to cross the line.line.

Almost 200 men decided to stay and Almost 200 men decided to stay and fight for their beliefs.fight for their beliefs.

The Final Battle BeginsThe Final Battle Begins

The final assault began on the morning The final assault began on the morning of March 6, 1836 at 5:30 A.M.of March 6, 1836 at 5:30 A.M.

Santa Anna had stopped the cannon Santa Anna had stopped the cannon fire the night before to allow the Texans fire the night before to allow the Texans to sleep, then interrupted their slumber to sleep, then interrupted their slumber with an early morning attackwith an early morning attack

An estimated 1,800 Mexican troops An estimated 1,800 Mexican troops took part, attacking at four different took part, attacking at four different points.points.

The Bloody BattleThe Bloody Battle

The North wall fell first, where William The North wall fell first, where William Travis was killed early in the FightingTravis was killed early in the Fighting

The men retreated to the long barracks The men retreated to the long barracks where the bloodiest of the fighting took where the bloodiest of the fighting took place.place.

Bowie was killed in his cot too sick to Bowie was killed in his cot too sick to take part in the battletake part in the battle

The Alamo FallsThe Alamo Falls

The Mexican army turned the Texan The Mexican army turned the Texan cannons on the Texans and forced cannons on the Texans and forced them toward the chapel. them toward the chapel.

The chapel was the last area to fall. By The chapel was the last area to fall. By that time all but a few defenders were that time all but a few defenders were killedkilled

According to Mexican sources about 7 According to Mexican sources about 7 men survived the fighting, including men survived the fighting, including Davy Crockett. They were taken Davy Crockett. They were taken prisoner.prisoner.

CasualtiesCasualtiesAllAll but a few of thebut a few of the 200 defenders of the 200 defenders of the

Alamo are killed in battle. The Alamo are killed in battle. The prisoners are executed.prisoners are executed.

Santa Anna reports 70 of his men Santa Anna reports 70 of his men killed, while reports claim as many as killed, while reports claim as many as 400 men killed400 men killed

Susanna Dickinson, wife of an Alamo Susanna Dickinson, wife of an Alamo defender and her infant daughter defender and her infant daughter survive as well as Travis’ slave, Joe survive as well as Travis’ slave, Joe and a few others are allowed to go free.and a few others are allowed to go free.

ResultsResults

Santa Anna, when asked about the Santa Anna, when asked about the battle claims, “it was but a small affair.”battle claims, “it was but a small affair.”

However, Santa Anna lost around 400-However, Santa Anna lost around 400-600 men, 300 injured, spent 2 weeks in 600 men, 300 injured, spent 2 weeks in San Antonio, and strengthened the will San Antonio, and strengthened the will of Texans to fight of Texans to fight

A Battle Cry for Victory A Battle Cry for Victory The battle of the Alamo delayed Santa The battle of the Alamo delayed Santa

Anna for two weeks, to the advantage Anna for two weeks, to the advantage of Texans.of Texans.

Some people believe that Texas would Some people believe that Texas would not have won independence without not have won independence without the battle of the Alamo.the battle of the Alamo.

The battle and the courage of the The battle and the courage of the Texans at the Alamo made Texans Texans at the Alamo made Texans more determined to win independence.more determined to win independence.

A Tribute to Texas HeroesA Tribute to Texas Heroes

Instead of discouraging the people of Instead of discouraging the people of Texas, the loss of the Alamo inspired Texas, the loss of the Alamo inspired other Texans to carry on the struggle.other Texans to carry on the struggle.

Sam Houston’s army adopted the battle Sam Houston’s army adopted the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!”cry “Remember the Alamo!”

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to ConsiderWhat was the weakness of the Alamo What was the weakness of the Alamo

as a defense post?as a defense post? Some of its walls were incomplete, Some of its walls were incomplete,

leaving areas where enemy troops could leaving areas where enemy troops could easily enter.easily enter.

Why did Travis’s calls for help go Why did Travis’s calls for help go mostly unanswered?mostly unanswered?

The Texas army was disorganized; Fannin The Texas army was disorganized; Fannin did not have sufficient transportation to did not have sufficient transportation to move supplies.)move supplies.)

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to ConsiderWhy would Travis draw a line in the Why would Travis draw a line in the

sand with his sword?sand with his sword? He realized that the Mexican army would He realized that the Mexican army would

probably win, which meant death to all probably win, which meant death to all who stayed. Travis ensured that the who stayed. Travis ensured that the Texans to understand what faced them.Texans to understand what faced them.

What were the odds between the What were the odds between the Mexican and Texan armies? Mexican and Texan armies?

The odds were about one to nine in favor The odds were about one to nine in favor of the Mexicans. of the Mexicans.

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

How did Texans react to the Alamo How did Texans react to the Alamo battle?battle?

It made them more determined to win It made them more determined to win independence.independence.

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

Why do you think the Alamo defenders Why do you think the Alamo defenders decided to stay?decided to stay?

What did the Alamo defenders What did the Alamo defenders accomplish?accomplish?