The Alamo Analysis of two Armies The commanders Why the Alamo? The Siege of the Alamo

The Mexican Army The infantry is made up of mostly conscripts. Conscripts are people forced to become soldiers Their weapons are old and most officers are inexperienced They are not well trained to fight

The Texian Army Mostly made up of volunteers fighting for a reason Texians are not disciplined but they have a strong sense of individualism Choose their commanders and are deadly shots Most of Texan army are from the South?

Santa Anna Commander of Mexican army who is experienced in fighting rebellions Mean because it keeps him in power in Mexico He wants to end the Texas revolt because he wants to show he is in charge in Mexico

William B.Travis Commander of Texans army while James Bowie commands Texas volunteers He is ambitious, has a sense of honor and is seeking a place in history Mistakenly believes that he can hold off army because of walls and cannons

Santa Anna’s Advance The Mexican army will march several hundred miles and endure a Northern Commanche’s will kill Mexican soldiers who fall behind on march Solderas are camp followers who assist Mexican soldiers

Gregorio Esparza San Antonio resident who fought at the Battle of San Antonio, 1835 Led a cannon crew at the Alamo, 1836 and was killed Brothers requested permission to bury their brother and provide a Christian burial

Why the Alamo? Mexican reasoning: Texians reasoning: Santa Ann needs a victory to help his image in Mexico It is located in central Texas making it a resting spot for Mexican army and supplies. San Antonio is largest city in Texas. Texians reasoning: Alamos sits on an important road Travis and Bowie felt that they could hold the Alamo and felt safe there Alamo could slow down the Mexican army because it is in the middle of Texas

The Siege of the Alamo The siege begins on February 26, 1836 Texans are outnumbered 8 to 1 It is a fortified area which covers three acres and has several cannons Texans believe that reinforcements will come, also have racists beliefs that can defeat large force

The Siege of the Alamo Cannons are fired everyday at the Alamo walls The Mexican army surrounds the Alamo Line in the sand never happened but Travis did make a short speech

Mexican Artillery pound the Alamo walls daily.

The Battle of the Alamo: Phase One The assault begins on March 6, around 5:00 Mexican infantry attacks the Alamo from three sides Brave Mexican infantry advance under cannon fire which bunches them towards the North Wall

The Battle of the Alamo: Phase Two Mexican infantry breaches North wall 80 Texans make an attempt to escape by running out of Alamo The Mexican cavalry will catch them and kill all the escaping Texans

The North Wall is breached!

The Battle of the Alamo: Phase Three Mexican infantry inside the Alamo turn cannons on the buildings Crockett and several make last ditch effort at mission but are captured The fighting is vicious hand to hand combat

The Aftermath All Alamo defenders are killed but family members are spared Crockett and 5 survivors are ordered hacked to death by Santa Anna The Alamo will give the Texian army determination to fight to beat Mexico

So what does this all mean? Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the Mexican and Texian armies? Compare and contrast Santa Anna and William B. Travis as leaders. Why did the Texians feel the need to stay and fight at the Alamo? Pretend that you are an eyewitness to the siege of the Alamo. Write a report about the battle to inform the people of Texas as to what you have seen.