Alamo
he Alamo Worksheet Name_____________
The Alamo is, perhaps, the quintessential event in Texas history. It served to fire the Texan revolutionaries, who led the charge at San Jacinto with cries of “Remember the Alamo.” Almost immediately after its fall, the Alamo was enshrined as a heroic and iconic American event. Historians compare the Texans’ defense of the Alamo to the Spartan stand at Thermopylae (The 300), an epic stand against impossible odds where the defenders sold their lives—aiding the eventual victory of their cause, and in the process, securing their immortality. The battle of the Alamo as a historical event, like Custer's Last Stand, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and now 9/11, stands as one of the galvanizing events in the narrative of American history, providing a tale of tragic commitment to the cause of U.S. nationalism.The Alamo. In the spring of 1836, in the face of insurmountable odds, fewer than 200 ordinary men who believed in the future of Texas held out for 13 days against thousands of Mexican soldiers led by Mexican dictator General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Commanded by three men – Lt. Col. William Travis; James Bowie; and David Crockett – the Texans would die for their beliefs. Their deeds, however, would make history as General Sam Houston’s emotional rallying cry “Remember the Alamo” during the fight for Texas independence.
Objectives: At the conclusion of this movie students will,
1. Understand the events that led to Texas independence.
2. Learn that many issues surrounding the Battle of the Alamo are still being debated today.
3. Understand how the Battle of the Alamo has come to represent varied American beliefs and ideals since it took place over 160 years ago
Part 1 Pre-Movie
1. Define the following terms and explain how each term relates to the Alamo and/or Texas independence.
(2) Manifest Destiny
(2) Texans
(2) Dictator
(2) Militia
(2) Mission (as in building)
(2) San Antonio
2. Do some internet research and explain why did Texans want their independence from Mexico? List and briefly explain three reasons.
(2) 1.
(2) 2.
(2) 3.
Part 2 Movie
1. Based on the movie The Alamo, explain the role of each of the following characters. Look at their dress, demeanor, talk, actions, etc… What history can we learn from the film about these characters?
(5) William Travis
(5) David Crockett
(5) James Bowie
(5) Sam Houston
(5) Antonio López de Santa Anna
(5) 2. Describe the structure of the Alamo? What does it look like? How was it made? What problems did the Texans face in defense of the Alamo? Was the Alamo a lost cause even before the siege began? Explain. Draw a picture if need be.
(5) 3. Why is taking the Alamo important to Santa Anna? Is it an obsession? Is this a mistake? What difficulties did Santa Anna’s troops have to overcome before the Alamo was captured?
(5) 4. What military strategy does Sam Houston use in an attempt to defeat Santa Anna? Was he successful? Explain.
(5) 5. How does the end of the movie, the Battle of San Jacinto, show retribution for the Texans? What is the significance of the saying, “Remember the Alamo!”
(5) 6. Do you feel Sam Houston purposefully martyred the Alamo defenders to further his cause? Why not send the Alamo relief? How did you feel about that? Would you have let them be or would you have tried to help them? Explain.
Part 3 Post-Movie
(3) 1. Should Santa Anna have been tried and executed at San Jacinto? Explain you answer.
(5) 2. Do some research, were there any survivors (Texans) of the battle? Why would they have played an important role in understanding the legacy of the Alamo? If there were no survivors, how does this alter history? What other myths or legends were created with the Alamo?
(5) 3. There is controversy on how Davy Crockett actually died, do some research, what is the controversy and how did the film handle this? Why is this significant when looking at history as well as how we look at history in films (check Davy Crockett’s death in the original movie The Alamo starring John Wayne).
(8) 4. Based on research, how accurate is the film The Alamo? Give at least four examples, good or bad.
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Other:
(5) 5. Why do you think the story of the Alamo has passed into folklore and is still remembered today, myths and all?
(3) 6. Which character did you most relate to? Why?
(3) 7. What did you like about the film? What displeased you?
Rate the film 1 to 10 (1 low 10 high) on the following:
______ Historical value (This helped me learn about American History)
______ Entertainment (Was enjoyable)
______ Overall recommendation for class (A film all Americans should watch)