The Battle at the Alamo Essay

Since the formation of the United States, war has been a constant factor within the political sphere. From these wars the U.S obtained power, land, and status unseen and unparalleled by any civilization in humankind. One of the earliest wars that allowed the United States to grow into the global power it is today was the Mexican-American war. This war not only shaped American politics for decades, but also fueled the sectional crisis that culminated into the infamous Civil War. Being the new country’s first armed conflict fought mainly on foreign soil, the war itself had several diplomatic implications that haunted politics for years to come. However, the war itself was fought for several political, social, and economic reasons and can be attributed with shaping the essence of American culture forever.

The railroad played a key role in the economic development of San Antonio after the Civil War. The railroad encouraged the development of cattle trade and brought tourist to the city. Newspaper accounts inflamed residents, spreading rumors that Mexicans had armed themselves. In August 1894, Blacks attacked Mexicans at Beeville, Texas. Mexicans were brought there to drive down wages of blacks and to create a labor surplus. The federal government encouraged this antagonism by stationing black soldiers in Mexican areas. The history of Texas being known as a state of violence, brought terror toward the Mexicans since they didn’t have the same protection under the law. On the other hand, in South Texas, Mexicans outnumbered the North American, latter controlled politics and the land. Mexicans did not accept North American rules and they hardly felt like liberated people. They called them greasers and denied them the opportunity to acquire property, to exercise political control over their own lives, and to maintain their rights within the society. Mexicans in the country banded together along lines of race and class taking direct action in the response to the political chicanery of foreigners. It was a class struggle against the rich and powerful establishment.

     The Alamo first saw action when General Cos landed at Copano, and headed to San Antonio to meet up with Colonel Ugartechea. By now war was on everyone’s mind and many events prior to Cos marching toward San Antonio set the playing field for war, but not everyone really was for it,..... at least not yet. Meanwhile, in Gonzales the revolution had started over a cannon that the settlers would not give up. This is also were the phrase “come and take it!” was born. What had happen was Ugartechea sent a lieutenant with some men to unarm a group of colonist who had a cannon at their disposal in Gonzales. What the Mexican’s did not count on was that in the end they would be sent running off to San Antonio after being repulsed by the colonists. Now the colonists formed a small army to March on Cos and his men, which the settlers wanted out of Texas for good. As Lord points out Cos would be ready for the settlers in San Antonio. Lord also points out how the mission in San Antonio got its name, Lord states that the mission once held a colonial company from the Alamo de Parras in Mexico, and that the named carried over and was shortened to just being called the Alamo.

Sleuthing the Alamo is a historic book that breaks some myths about the Texas Revolutions and brings forth the truth which is the purpose of the book. The author notes that some reports and accounts of the Texas Revolution have been more in the spotlight than others and so some of the other accounts haven’t been paid as much attention to even though they are also valid. The author, James E. Crisp is a history professor at North Carolina State University and according to the NC State University Department of History website, his book Sleuthing the Alamo, was the winner of the T. R. Fehrenbach Book Award for 2005 from the Texas Historical Commission. Dr. James E. Crisp got his BA in History from Rice University, M. Phil. in History

U.S. War with Mexico had many effects on both countries. Even though American’s gained a considerable amount of land, it leads to a great deal of sectional tension. The two governments agreed to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which confirmed the annexation of Texas and ceded California and present day México, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah to the United States (Foner,474). With this huge land acquisition, the issue of slavery in the new territories was raised. The new land caused a great deal of conflict, and created great political sectionalism in America. Gaining this much land at a time seemed like a good idea until Americans had to deal with the political issues that went along with it. Residents from both the North and the South wanted

Since the United States was founded as an independent nation from Great Britain, its people had confronted many economic, political, and social problems. The United States started to expand its territory in the western part of the country. Some examples are the Louisiana purchase from1803 and the Spanish Florida annexation. One of the most significant and controversial in the antebellum years was the Texas annexation which was a result of the War between Mexico and the war of independence by Texan rebels on the late 1830’s and 1840’s. Therefore, the annexation of the Republic of Texas existed from 1836-1845 produced controversy and consequences on both sides of the border.

I shall never surrender or retreat ... I Am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what it is due to his honor and that of his country-VICTORY OR DEATH." This was a letter sent by William Barret Travis during the siege of the Alamo on February 24, 1836. It was a cry for help to anybody and everybody willing to listen.

This paper will review A Line In The Sand- The Alamo in Blood and Memory. This book was published by ‘The Free Press’ publication in the year, and was written by two authors, Randy Roberts and James S. Olson. In this book, Roberts and Olson present references towards the three battles of the Alamo. The three battles include the real battle of Alamo fought in the 1836, the early-twentieth-century Driscoll-De Zavala effort, and the concurrent historical and cultural warfare over the blockade.

According to a article by Eugene C. Barker and James W. Pohl created in August 7,2010 , it stated “The Texas Revolution began with the battle of Gonzales in October 1835 and ended with the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836; but there were earlier clashes between official forces and groups of colonists, so that it is impossible to set dogmatic limits in speaking of military episodes alone, to say nothing of the development of social and political differences that were a part of the revolution.” This shows that the Anglo settlers and the Mexican Government didn’t get along even before Battle of Gonzales.This provides The Battle of Gonzales is one of the Anglos first strike back at The Mexican Government. According to an article called Mexican Texas by Arnoldo De León created in June 15,2010, it stated “To Mexico, the attack on the military post was an indication of a rebellion, and the refusal of Texans to surrender the Anahuac ringleaders confirmed suspicions of widespread defiance. The initial conflict between Anglo-Americans and Mexican authorities occurred in the battle of Gonzales in October 1835.” This shows that the Anglos didn’t want to be part of Mexico.This also provides reasons why the Mexican government thought that the Anglos wanted to secede.Therefore, The Battle of Gonzales is an important influence that helped get Texas annexed. The Anglos did this by standing up to The Mexican Government and they fought

In 1830, After the revolt against Mexican authority, Texas’ desire of becoming its own independent republic became stronger. This later turned into a full on battle for the Alamo and Goliad. After winning these battles the Texian volunteers fought against the Mexican army, while this was happening American colony political leaders met in convention and declared Texas independence as of March 2nd 1836. Later after turning on San Houston, Santa Anne was defeated and executed at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21 1836. The next day San Houston was captured and forced to sign the treaty of Velasco promising to withdraw all Mexican troops from Texas, end the war and recognize the independence of Texas. This is shown in Document 7. Not only does Document 7 show the events that occurred like the battle of Alamo and

During the early-mid part of the 19th century (mainly 1820-1860) Americans objected many things they didn’t like. Taxes, the government, even presidents were some of the rejections of the people. But the one thing the people did not like during this time period was the annexation of Texas and the Mexican

“It is time for opposition to the annexation of Texas to cease... Texas is now ours. ”(Doc A). because Texas had already been annexed by the United States, this gave them

Do you ever think about the fights that your state or country had to get through just so they could give the citizens a safe place to live? Because, the soldiers of the Texas Revolution had to fight long and hard to ensure the citizens of Texas a safe and independant place to live. It took a lot of guts to stand up to the Mexican Officials who ruled over Texas. They had to resist the strong hold Mexico had on Texas. Texas has one of the most interesting stories about resisting authority.

The Battle of San Jacinto was the most decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. On April 21, 1836 General Sam Houston launched a surprise attack which lasted less than twenty minutes and defeated a superior Mexican force ending the Texas Revolution (Battle of San Jacinto, 2015). This paper will describe the events that led to the Texas Revolution and how the Texans were motivated for victory following the Alamo and the Goliad Massacre. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize how General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna lost the Battle of San Jacinto and the Texas Revolution solely on arrogance and misuse of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets properly.

James E. Crisp is a professor, and assistant chair of the history department at North Carolina State University. He has authored several articles pertaining to the Texas Revolution, including Sleuthing the Alamo, which is inspired by his extensive knowledge of the Texas Revolution, as well as racism and prejudice that he has seen and experienced in his own lifetime. Crisp investigates the folklore, truths, and myths about the Alamo. He addresses four major points in Sleuthing the Alamo: The De la Pena diary, the death and legend of Davie Crockett, and the “racism” in certain versions of Sam Houston’s speech.