The American Vision: Modern Times © 2008

Chapter 2: The Young Republic

Web Lesson Plans

Introduction
Students have read about the United States’s belief in Manifest Destiny and recognize that the acquisition of California, Oregon, and Texas was important in making this idea a reality. Students learned about the tensions that arose between Texas settlers and the Mexican government and the struggle for Texas independence that ensued. In this activity students will take a closer look at one strategic battle in the Texans’ fight for independence — the battle of the Alamo.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the Battle of the Alamo Web site to learn about important figures and events concerning the battle. They will read a summary of the battle, quotes by eyewitnesses, and letters written by William Travis and General Santa Anna. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by leading a classroom discussion about the reasons why the American public popularized the battle of the Alamo.

1. Students will identify major figures in the battle of the Alamo and describe the battle's defining characteristics.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to lead a classroom discussion about why the battle of the Alamo captured the imaginations of the public.

1. Before Santa Anna arrived at the Alamo, there were about 120 volunteers defending the garrison. James Bowie, renowned inventor of the Bowie knife, commanded a group of those volunteers. Davy Crockett, the famous frontiersman and state senator, was also among the volunteers at the Alamo. William Travis arrived with 30 men from the regular army. Even though the group knew they were greatly outnumbered by the Mexican army, they were resolute in their determination to maintain control of the Alamo at any cost.
2. Sam Houston ordered James Bowie to destroy the Alamo. He felt that the post was too vulnerable. James Neill and James Bowie, however, thought that it was a good strategic position for the Texans, and they decided to keep and defend the garrison.
3. Travis believed that defending the Alamo was a matter of personal honor and that it was his responsibility as an American citizen to do so.
4. In his letter, written nearly 38 years after the battle, Santa Anna cites Travis's refusal to surrender and Sam Houston's impending arrival at the Alamo for his decision to take the fort with force.
5. Students' discussions and summaries will vary but should include information about the emotional appeal of the small band defending the fort against an army, the motivational value of the letter, the appearance of the letter in media, and the fame of the individuals within the Alamo.