The Alamo: A Symbol of Texan Independence

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“Remember the Alamo” is a phrase that is etched in the American psyche. The Alamo became such a powerful symbol of the struggles of freedom vs. tyranny for several reasons including who died at the battle and the immediate effect it had on the fledgling Texan independence movement. Although the Battle of the Alamo was a military failure, it immediately became a symbol of Texas. The Alamo didn’t become a symbol of Texan independence because it was a good idea on the Texan’s part. It became a symbol of Texan independence because a lot of brave men made a very, very rash decision. They decided to defend a point they knew they couldn’t defend to the last man. These brave Texan’s willingly laid down their lives to “fight the good fight.” Three of the most memorable heroes were William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crocket. William Barret Travis was born in Edgefield Co. S.C. He trained to become a lawyer and practiced in Claiborne, Alabama. He came to Texas both to make his fortune and because he supported the revolt against Texas (William Barret Travis). Santa Anna, the Mexican general, and dictator, who led the Mexican army against the Alamo, had already sent another general to do the job. This first general, Santa Anna’s brother-in-law, General Cos, had “ordered the arrest of several troublemakers, including William Barret Travis (Sorrels 31).” William Barret became the main reason the Alamo has so gripped people’s imaginations, both during the Texan independence and in the years that followed. As the battle continued he sent a string of captivating letters. Jim Bowie was originally the commander of the garrison of the Alamo but he was bedridden following a fall he sustained while fortifying the Alamo (Sorrels 59). Bowie wa... ... middle of paper ... ...t Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, have joined the legion of American heroes (A, B, C). They stand with the cowboys and gunslingers, mountain men and pioneer wives, soldiers and surveyors, who helped make America great (A & B, C & D, E & F). Works Cited Hutton, Andrew Paul. “The Alamo, Well Remembered.” Wild West. 1 Feb 2011: 26 eLibrary. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. Landauro, Victor. “Remember the Alamo.” Junior Scholastic. 8 Dec. 2003: 14. eLibrary. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. “Sam Houston “Remember the Alamo!”: San Jacinto, Texas: April 19, 1836.” American Heritage Book of Great American Speeches for Young People 2001. 2001. eLibrary. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. Sorrels, Roy. The Alamo In American History. Enston Publishers, Inc, 1996. Print. “William Barret Travis.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2013): 1. Middle Search Plus. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.

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