“Remember The Alamo!” In a Nutshell
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Even if you’re not from Texas, you have most likely heard the expression, “Remember The Alamo!”
There have been many novels, movies, and stories that have glorified and embellished the story of that mission down in Texas and the day that it took its eternal place in history.
I like facts, not embellishments. I like truth, not glorified stories. So, when my children and I (we homeschool) bought tickets for a play about “The Alamo,” I wanted to share with them the REAL story (or as close as I could get to it) of what happened during that important part of Texas history. There are MANY more details to the story than what I have included here. If you are interested in more information, there are many websites to which you can turn. Also, I really liked this book: "Rememer the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories," by Paul Rober Walker.
For those of you who have heard the expression, “Remember The Alamo!” and have always wondered what *exactly* it is all about, here is my simplified, facts-only, “in a nutshell” telling of the story:
Back in 1830, what is now Texas was actually part of Mexico. The Mexican government had invited American settlers to live in Mexico. Many Americans, excited to have land, accepted the invitation. The Mexican government became alarmed at the Americans’ behavior, however, because the Americans wanted to keep their slaves but slavery was against the law in Mexico. The Mexican government enacted new rules/laws to try to encourage the Americans to leave (because they refused to follow the laws of Mexico). The Americans in Texas (Texians) decided that they would fight the Mexicans and make Texas their own. At this same time, a very ruthless man named Santa Anna had become the leader of the Mexican government and wanted to overturn Mexico’s Constitution. Most of the people of Mexico did not like Santa Anna and wanted to keep their Constitution. As a result, as Santa Anna marched his armies into Texas, the Texians (Americans living in Texas) and the Tejanos (Mexicans living in Texas) joined together to fight against Santa Anna – even though they were fighting for different reasons. The Alamo was a small mission (or fort) near San Antonio, Texas. There were less than 200 men (Tejanos and Texians) gathered there to defend the fort. Among them were David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis. They declared that they would never surrender. Santa Anna showed up with nearly 3,000 soldiers. On March 6, 1836, after a 13-day siege, Santa Anna’s soldiers stormed the Alamo. The defenders fought bravely and true – they never surrendered -- but all the defenders were killed. The only survivors were the women, the children, a slave named Joe, and Brigido Guerrero (a former Mexican soldier who convinced Santa Anna’s men that he had been held as a prisoner by the Alamo defenders). Santa Anna was eventually defeated (April 21, 1836) by brave Texians and Tejanos who could be heard shouting their rally cry: “Remember The Alamo!!!”
There you have it – in a nutshell.
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CommentsLoading...
Thanks, Eyeam4anarchy!
Yes, unfortunately, whether it is for political reasons, religious reasons, or just lack of space in the textbooks, a lot of history is left out of what is taught in a typical school.
Being able to include ALL the facts (and, to look at a situation from many different perspectives) is one of my (many) favorite reasons for homeschooling my kids.
Peace! RoniJoy
I really enjoyed the read. Nice and to the point - a good "in a nutshell". Funny I was also taken by the anti-slavery law in Mexico. Thanks
Thank you for your article, I forward it to my daughter's 3rd grade teacher because when kids asked her what the Alamo was, she only told them that Mexico wanted to take Texas away and that Texans fought at the Alamo. She also mentioned that Texans didn't win during the battle at the Alamo and the students got sad but they soon they all cheered when she told them but that they won the Battle of San Jacinto. As a Mexican-American it drove me nuts to hear her bias side of the story. She never mentioned that the Alamo was previously a Spanish mission before becoming a fort, that Texas was part of Mexico and much less about anti-slavery law in Mexico. As a result, she no longer wants me volunteering in her classroom.
Funny Thing Is ( 1836 Santa Anna captured the very flag which flew over the Alamo and it is still on display in Mexico City in The National Museum of Mexico). What were you lead to believe. There's even a movement to have the Alamo Flag returned to the Alamo. (there is and has always been a full size reproduction in the ALAMO"S MUSEUM of THE ALAMO FLAG. anybody who goes there can see it. After all, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT put it there for ALL to see. Didn't you know that?
EYEAM4ANARCHY 3 years ago
Good synopsis. It's rare that you hear the fact that Mexico wanted to outlaw slavery was one of the reasons for Texans seeking independence. History books have a way of santizing things.