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Battle of the Alamo

“Remember the Alamo!” Most Americans have probably heard this phrase at least once in their lives, possibly as something they’ve heard actors shout out in an action or war movie. But unless you’re a history buff or a Texan, you likely don’t know the background story to this famous phrase, that the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 – a lopsided battle in the larger Texas Revolution that was the beginning of the end of the Mexican hold on Texas - ended with all but a few of those defending the Alamo all dying, if not directly in battle, then executed by Mexican General Santa Anna’s orders afterwards.

Although they lost the battle, the heroic actions of the defenders of the Alamo in the face of overwhelming force became a rallying cry for Texan (Texian) soldiers in their fight for independence. A little more than one month after the Battle of the Alamo, the Mexican Army was defeated by General Sam Houston’s Texan Army and gained its independence. Less than ten years later, it was annexed by the United States as the twenty-eight state.

In this mini unit, you can learn about everything Alamo – from the background to the battle, the famous participants and the aftermath, read an eyewitness account and uncover Alamo myths, look at a timeline and maps, watch a video overview of the conflict and download a 40-page Alamo lesson plan for multiple ages.

Reading

Remember the Alamo!

Complete Guide to the Alamo

Eyewitness Alamo account

Alamo Myths

Timeline/Map

Alamo Timeline

Alamo Map

State of Texas History – Interactive Map

Multimedia

Video: Why We Remember the Alamo

Activities

Lesson Plan and Activities – 7th Grade

Lesson Plan and Activities – 4th Grade

Remember the Alamo Teacher’s Guide

Recommended Resource

The History Channel Presents: The Alamo
The Alamo examines the epic battle through four acclaimed programs from The History Channel and A&E, presenting a compelling picture of the forces, personalities and events that converged at the San Antonio mission in 1836.

March 6, 1836: A massacre of Americans at the Mexican Army's hands made "Remember the Alamo," an immortal Texan battle cry. But is this history viewed through an American lens? With distance from the heat of battle, a Mexican version of the controversy emerges. What caused Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett to run from their pasts to become heroes in death? How did a struggle for independence become a race war? In this 90-minute investigation, we expose new evidence in this grand victory with a dark secret.

Included in this 2-volume DVD set are the following programs:

Remember The Alamo - New research dispels some long-held beliefs about what really happened in the showdown between Santa Anna's army and Davy Crockett, William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, and their group of American volunteers.

The Real West: The Battle of the Alamo - Host Kenny Rogers focuses on the strained collaboration among Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Barret Travis.

The Real West: The Texas Rangers - Ride into the past to see how these legendary lawmen patrolled a vast and wild territory.

BIOGRAPHY®: Davy Crockett: American Frontier Legend - Experts explore the myths surrounding the backwoodsman who died at the Alamo.

From the History Channel
Purchase Here: $19.95