The Battle of the Alamo 13 Days that forever changed the history of North America February 23-March 6, 1836

Santa Anna’s army arrives On February 23, Alamo defenders were shocked to see the beginning of the Mexican force arriving in San Antonio On February 23, Alamo defenders were shocked to see the beginning of the Mexican force arriving in San Antonio Texans barely make it into the Alamo before the Mexican cavalry arrives in the city. Texans barely make it into the Alamo before the Mexican cavalry arrives in the city. Mexican forces quietly occupy San Antonio and begin surrounding the Alamo. Mexican forces quietly occupy San Antonio and begin surrounding the Alamo.

The “Players” Davy Crockett: A US Congressman from Tennessee who came as a volunteer. Helped fight for and defend the Alamo. Lost his life in the battle. Davy Crockett: A US Congressman from Tennessee who came as a volunteer. Helped fight for and defend the Alamo. Lost his life in the battle.

James Bowie Was sent by Sam Houston to destroy the Alamo but later helped to defend the old mission as the Commander of the Volunteer Militia. Lost his life in the battle. Was sent by Sam Houston to destroy the Alamo but later helped to defend the old mission as the Commander of the Volunteer Militia. Lost his life in the battle.

William B Travis Was a leader of the forces who defended the Alamo. He wrote the famous “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World”- a plea for aid and reinforcements as the Mexican Army was advancing. Was a leader of the forces who defended the Alamo. He wrote the famous “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World”- a plea for aid and reinforcements as the Mexican Army was advancing.

James Bonham A Volunteer from Alabama who also lost his life in the Alamo- He left at one point to get help only to return for the Fall of the Alamo. A Volunteer from Alabama who also lost his life in the Alamo- He left at one point to get help only to return for the Fall of the Alamo.

James 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

Susanna Dickenson A noncombatant who was spared by Santa Anna. She was sent by Santa Anna with a message to Sam Houston regarding the future fate of Texas. A noncombatant who was spared by Santa Anna. She was sent by Santa Anna with a message to Sam Houston regarding the future fate of Texas.

How were the Texans prepared for the advancement of the Mexican Army? They built up the mission walls, placed cannons around the Alamo. Stocked up on food and weaponry… They built up the mission walls, placed cannons around the Alamo. Stocked up on food and weaponry…

Why protect “The Alamo”? It was decided that the artillery and weapons housed in the Alamo were too valuable to destroy. Also, it was along the Old San Antonio Road – one of two major routes through Texas. It was decided that the artillery and weapons housed in the Alamo were too valuable to destroy. Also, it was along the Old San Antonio Road – one of two major routes through Texas.

Bowie and Travis Bowie estimated that 1,000 troops would be needed to defend the Alamo. Bowie estimated that 1,000 troops would be needed to defend the Alamo. They believed that holding the Alamo at any cost was vital to the future of Texas They believed that holding the Alamo at any cost was vital to the future of Texas The mission walls were incomplete, hampering the defense. The mission walls were incomplete, hampering the defense.

Dates February 23 – March 6, 1836 (13 days) February 23 – March 6, 1836 (13 days)

Major People Involved TX--- William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie; MX --- Santa Anna TX--- William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie; MX --- Santa Anna March 5th – Travis’ Line in the Sand incident involving Louis Rose leaving the Alamo March 5th – Travis’ Line in the Sand incident involving Louis Rose leaving the Alamo March 6th – final assault in the early morning hours March 6th – final assault in the early morning hours

Purpose of the Battle Texas – protect the Alamo/ Mexico – make an example (no quarter) Texas – protect the Alamo/ Mexico – make an example (no quarter)

Outcome (Who Won?) TX lost; Mexico won; all Texans killed (183 men); Santa Anna sends Susanna Dickinson to Sam Houston with fate of Texans at the Alamo message. Runaway Scrape begins; Sam Houston and TX army retreated eastward towards the US; determined to defeat Santa Anna; Battle cry: Remember the Alamo! TX lost; Mexico won; all Texans killed (183 men); Santa Anna sends Susanna Dickinson to Sam Houston with fate of Texans at the Alamo message. Runaway Scrape begins; Sam Houston and TX army retreated eastward towards the US; determined to defeat Santa Anna; Battle cry: Remember the Alamo!

Order of Events 1. Siege at the Alamo Begins 2. Travis sends 1 of several pleas for help 3. Volunteers arrive from Gonzales 4. Mexican soldiers attacked and are briefly pushed back 5. Mexican Army overwhelms the Texans and enter the Alamo 6. The Alamo falls

Victory or Death Travis wrote several messages to the people of Texas and to the United States asking for assistance Travis wrote several messages to the people of Texas and to the United States asking for assistance Travis received little response to his pleas for aid because the Texas forces were poorly organized. Travis received little response to his pleas for aid because the Texas forces were poorly organized. On March 1, only 32 reinforcements arrived at the Alamo from Gonzales. On March 1, only 32 reinforcements arrived at the Alamo from Gonzales.

Red Flag of Death At his headquarters in San Fernando Church, Santa Anna flew the red “no quarters” flag, meaning that he would take no prisoners. At his headquarters in San Fernando Church, Santa Anna flew the red “no quarters” flag, meaning that he would take no prisoners. Mexican buglers played throughout the night to keep the Alamo defenders unnerved. Mexican buglers played throughout the night to keep the Alamo defenders unnerved. The song they played, “Deguello” was the song of death, and let the defenders know they would all die if they fought The song they played, “Deguello” was the song of death, and let the defenders know they would all die if they fought

Facing Certain Death On March 5, Travis explained to his troops that remaining at the Alamo meant certain death. On March 5, Travis explained to his troops that remaining at the Alamo meant certain death. According to legend, he drew a line on the ground with his sword and invited those who wished to stay to cross the line. According to legend, he drew a line on the ground with his sword and invited those who wished to stay to cross the line. Almost 200 men decided to stay and fight for their beliefs. Almost 200 men decided to stay and fight for their beliefs.

The Final Battle Begins The final assault began on the morning of March 6, 1836 at 5:30 A.M. The final assault began on the morning of March 6, 1836 at 5:30 A.M. Santa Anna had stopped the cannon fire the night before to allow the Texans to sleep, then interrupted their slumber with an early morning attack Santa Anna had stopped the cannon fire the night before to allow the Texans to sleep, then interrupted their slumber with an early morning attack An estimated 1,800 Mexican troops took part, attacking at four different points. An estimated 1,800 Mexican troops took part, attacking at four different points.

The Bloody Battle The North wall fell first, where William Travis was killed early in the Fighting The North wall fell first, where William Travis was killed early in the Fighting The men retreated to the long barracks where the bloodiest of the fighting took place. The men retreated to the long barracks where the bloodiest of the fighting took place. Bowie was killed in his cot too sick to take part in the battle Bowie was killed in his cot too sick to take part in the battle

The Alamo Falls The Mexican army turned the Texan cannons on the Texans and forced them toward the chapel. The Mexican army turned the Texan cannons on the Texans and forced them toward the chapel. The chapel was the last area to fall. By that time all but a few defenders were killed The chapel was the last area to fall. By that time all but a few defenders were killed According to Mexican sources about 7 men survived the fighting, including Davy Crockett. They were taken prisoner. According to Mexican sources about 7 men survived the fighting, including Davy Crockett. They were taken prisoner.

Casualties All but a few of the 200 defenders of the Alamo are killed in battle. The prisoners are executed. All but a few of the 200 defenders of the Alamo are killed in battle. The prisoners are executed. Santa Anna reports 70 of his men killed, while reports claim as many as 400 men killed Santa Anna reports 70 of his men killed, while reports claim as many as 400 men killed Susanna Dickinson, wife of an Alamo defender and her infant daughter survive as well as Travis’ slave, Joe and a few others are allowed to go free. Susanna Dickinson, wife of an Alamo defender and her infant daughter survive as well as Travis’ slave, Joe and a few others are allowed to go free.

Results Santa Anna, when asked about the battle claims, “it was but a small affair.” Santa Anna, when asked about the battle claims, “it was but a small affair.” However, Santa Anna lost around men, 300 injured, spent 2 weeks in San Antonio, and strengthened the will of Texans to fight However, Santa Anna lost around men, 300 injured, spent 2 weeks in San Antonio, and strengthened the will of Texans to fight

A Battle Cry for Victory The battle of the Alamo delayed Santa Anna for two weeks, to the advantage of Texans. The battle of the Alamo delayed Santa Anna for two weeks, to the advantage of Texans. Some people believe that Texas would not have won independence without the battle of the Alamo. Some people believe that Texas would not have won independence without the battle of the Alamo. The battle and the courage of the Texans at the Alamo made Texans more determined to win independence. The battle and the courage of the Texans at the Alamo made Texans more determined to win independence.

A Tribute to Texas Heroes Instead of discouraging the people of Texas, the loss of the Alamo inspired other Texans to carry on the struggle. Instead of discouraging the people of Texas, the loss of the Alamo inspired other Texans to carry on the struggle. Sam Houston’s army adopted the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!” Sam Houston’s army adopted the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!”

Questions to Consider What was the weakness of the Alamo as a defense post? What was the weakness of the Alamo as a defense post? Some of its walls were incomplete, leaving areas where enemy troops could easily enter. Some of its walls were incomplete, leaving areas where enemy troops could easily enter. Why did Travis’s calls for help go mostly unanswered? Why did Travis’s calls for help go mostly unanswered? The Texas army was disorganized; Fannin did not have sufficient transportation to move supplies.) The Texas army was disorganized; Fannin did not have sufficient transportation to move supplies.)

Questions to Consider Why would Travis draw a line in the sand with his sword? Why would Travis draw a line in the sand with his sword? He realized that the Mexican army would probably win, which meant death to all who stayed. Travis ensured that the Texans to understand what faced them. He realized that the Mexican army would probably win, which meant death to all who stayed. Travis ensured that the Texans to understand what faced them. What were the odds between the Mexican and Texan armies? What were the odds between the Mexican and Texan armies? The odds were about one to nine in favor of the Mexicans. The odds were about one to nine in favor of the Mexicans.

Questions to Consider How did Texans react to the Alamo battle? How did Texans react to the Alamo battle? It made them more determined to win independence. It made them more determined to win independence.

Questions to Consider Why do you think the Alamo defenders decided to stay? Why do you think the Alamo defenders decided to stay? What did the Alamo defenders accomplish? What did the Alamo defenders accomplish?