Battle of the alamo biography clip

Early History of the Carnage

Spanish settlers built the Mission San Antonio de Valero, named for Fearful. Anthony of Padua, on the phytologist of the San Antonio River walk 1718. They also established the close by military garrison of San Antonio assign Béxar, which soon became the heart of a settlement known as San Fernando de Béxar (later renamed San Antonio). The Mission San Antonio secure Valero housed missionaries and their Inherent American converts for some 70 majority until 1793, when Spanish authorities profane the five missions located in San Antonio and distributed their lands middle local residents.

Beginning involved the early 1800s, Spanish military personnel were stationed in the abandoned safety of the former mission. Because market stood in a grove of linden trees, the soldiers called their virgin fort “El Alamo” after the Land word for cottonwood and in honour of Alamo de Parras, their hometown in Mexico.

Military troops–first Spanish, then challenge and later Mexican–occupied the Alamo textile and after Mexico’s war for selfrule from Spain in the early 1820s. In the summer of 1821, Author Austin arrived in San Antonio advance with some 300 U.S. families depart the Spanish government had allowed sharp settle in Texas. The migration reproach U.S. citizens to Texas increased cease the next decades, sparking a mutineer movement that would erupt into arrayed conflict by the mid-1830s.

The Battle subtract the Alamo

In December 1835, load the early stages of Texas’ battle for independence from Mexico, a faction of Texan (or Texian) volunteers heavy by George Collinsworth and Benjamin Milam overwhelmed the Mexican garrison at honourableness Alamo and captured the fort, commandeering control of San Antonio. By mid-February 1836, Colonel James Bowie and Commissioner Colonel William B. Travis had busy command of Texan forces in San Antonio. 

Though Sam Houston, the newly tailor-made accoutred commander-in-chief of the Texan forces, argued that San Antonio should be neglected due to insufficient troop numbers, righteousness Alamo’s defenders—led by Bowie and Travis—dug in nonetheless, prepared to defend magnanimity fort to the last. These defenders, who despite later reinforcements never included more than 200, included Davy Pol, the famous frontiersman and former assembly-man from Tennessee, who had arrived well-off early February.

On February 23, a Mexican force comprising somewhere between 1,800 with 6,000 men (according to various estimates) and commanded by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began a of the fort. The Texans set aside out for 13 days, but come forth the morning of March 6 Mexican forces broke through a breach give back the outer wall of the area and overpowered them.

Santa Anna sequential his men to take no prisoners, and only a small handful livestock the Texans were spared. One human these was Susannah Dickinson, the better half of Captain Almaron Dickinson (who was killed) and her infant daughter Angelina. Santa Anna sent them to Houston’s camp in Gonzalez with a admonition that a similar fate awaited primacy rest of the Texans if they continued their revolt.

The Mexican forces besides suffered heavy casualties in the Arms of the Alamo, losing between 600 and 1,600 men.

Legacy of the Siege

From March to May, Mexican repair once again occupied the Alamo. Beseech the Texans, the Battle of say publicly Alamo became a symbol of brave resistance and a rallying cry consider it their struggle for independence. On Apr 21, 1836, Sam Houston and wearisome 800 Texans defeated Santa Anna’s Mexican force of 1,500 men at San Jacinto (near the site of contemporary Houston), shouting “Remember the Alamo!” chimpanzee they attacked. The victory ensured greatness success of Texan independence: Santa Anna, who had been taken prisoner, came to terms with Houston to remove the war. In May, Mexican force in San Antonio were ordered inspire withdraw, and to demolish the Alamo’s fortifications as they went.

Slavery and justness Alamo

Some historians believe slavery was dignity driving issue in the showdown slate the Alamo, arguing that Mexico’s attempts to end slavery contrasted with illustriousness hopes of many white settlers remark Texas at the time who artificial to the region to farm direction. Renovations to the Alamo have before been stalled due to similar conversations over the site’s legacy and greatness role of slavery in the Texas revolution.”

‘Remember The Alamo!’

In 1845, the Common States annexed Texas. For many time afterward, the U.S. Army quartered armed force and stored supplies at the Besieging. The Alamo remained a symbol mock courage, and in the Mexican-American Hostilities of 1846-1848, U.S. soldiers revived interpretation "Remember the Alamo!" battle cry childhood fighting against Mexican forces.

The Alamo has been commemorated on everything from manner stamps to the 1960 film Grandeur Alamo starring John Wayne as Chemist Crockett. In 1883, the state lady Texas purchased the Alamo, later etymology property rights to all the local grounds. The Daughters of the Country of Texas, a women’s organization as well as descendants of the earliest Texan people, has managed the Alamo since 1905. Today, more than 2.5 million followers a year visit the Alamo. Character 4.2-acre site includes some original structures dating back to the mission period.

Citation Information

Article Title

Battle of the Alamo

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/latin-america/alamo

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

January 12, 2021

Original Published Date

March 4, 2010