Remember the Alamo By : Rory McDonald2/18/11 “Remember the Alamo” is a common phrase that many people know from either a movie, a Texan motto or somewhere else, but not all know that it represents a twist in the history of the Mexican American War. It is reported that at first some of the Mexican troops screamed this phrase as they were killing the Texans in an attempt to threaten that they were not to be defeated. The Texans, however, gathered in large numbers as an army after the battle, because they wanted revenge on the Mexicans. As they killed 630 Mexican soldiers they cried “Remember the Alamo , in this context, it is remembered as the rebellious battle cry of the revengeful Texians. The Texians took it as, don't let what happened at the Alamo happen any where else. The Battle of Alamo represented a major change in the Mexican American revolution because Americans were not ready for the Mexicans against the Alamo ,but in the end the Americans won the war
The Mexican American War had begun because of land disputes between the Texians and Mexicans. As the United states expanded in the early 1800’s Texas wanted to expand with it. Texas was a part of Mexico and then didn't want Americans to expand any further.
The President of Mexico , General Santa Anna thought that Fort Alamo would be an easy target to scare the Texians away, because they were out numbered. Actually the battle of the Alamo had the opposite effect that the Santa Anna, President of Mexico meant for it to be and that is why this phrase became a battle cry. In Spanish the “ Alamo” means cottonwood. The Texians weren't ready for the attack they were just standing guarding the Alamo. Many people died, but was it worth it to the Texans?
The Alamo was an abandoned mission near San Antonio, Texas. It was used as a base against the Mexicans to fight over land with the locals, but not against the Mexican army. It was low on supplies, had a small amount of men, and was not an equal fight against the Mexicans. The Texian troops had asked for help and wanted to pull out. They were sent some more men and the Commanders James Bowie, who was famous for his big knife called the Bowie knife after him, and William Travis and famous folklore hero Davy Crockett was one of the men that came along.
The Mexican American standoff at Fort Alamo began on February 23 1836 and ended with the battle on March 6, 1836. The small American support troops had just arrived a few days earlier in early February. With little and poor supplies against the Mexicans. The battle was brutal and uneven, which made the Texans rage and seek revenge with a vengeance! The Texians came flooding in to be a part of the army after the brutal battle at Alamo.The President of Mexico thought that the battle of Alamo would scare the Texians, not make them wrathful and send more troops. Over 400 Americans died that fateful day on March 6, 1836. There were about 400 Americans against the 1,500 Mexicans. Though the Americans had pride and will power the Mexicans still won because they had more force.
They had bolted and reinforced the doors, but in order to form trenches they had excavated some places that were now a hindrance to them. Not all of them took refuge, for some remained in the open, looking at us before firing, as if dumbfounded at our daring. Travis was seen to hesitate, but not about the death he would choose. He would take a few steps and stop, turning his proud face toward us to discharge his shots; he fought like a true soldier. Finally he died, but he died after having traded his life very dearly. None of his men died with greater heroism, and they all died. Travis behaved as a hero; one must do him justice, for with a handful of men without discipline, he resolved to face men used to war and much superior in numbers, without supplies, with scarce munitions, and against the will of his subordinates. He was a handsome blond, with a physique as robust as his spirit was strong. ( lone-star )
This was William Barret Travis’s death wish from the Alamo. He wasn't the only one who perished under the hand of Mexico , so did Davy Crockett. The battle of the Alamo was a major turning point in the Mexican American war. It is understandable why both sides claim to have originated the phrase “Remember the Alamo”. Was it the Mexican army as part of their plan to frighten off any further conflict and expansion by the Texians, or was it the motto of the newly expanded and revengeful Texian troops? Either way, the Battle of Alamo represented a major change in the events of the Mexican American war, eventually leading to the end of the war with the Americans prevailing. The Texians won the Mexican American was because they were brave and never gave up, even after seeing their friends die before their eyes, demolished by the gun and cannon of Mexico . Next time they should have been more prepared for what might have come.
