The Battle of the Alamo

Thealamo.org\history\index.html

In 1699, the land where the Alamo was located today was populated by many cultures; Indians known as Payaya, Sama, Pachaque, and several smaller tribes lived in a nomadic way of life. A French exploration of Texas prompted Spain to come to Texas to build their first permanent mission to expand their territory. The mission location was moved several times. The duty of this mission was to convert the indigenous population to catholic and also train them; farming carpentry, raising livestock, stonework and weaving. It was hoped that these people would be loyal supporters of to Spain. The tribes with the aid of firearms and horses fought the Apaches and the Comanches Indian tribes the mission provided shelter and safety from the invaders.

The mission soon became known as a safe haven for warring troops and the catholic control was disbanded. The mission becomes and outpost for military troops. 100 Military troops with their families take up residence in the mission. They built the first hospital in Texas. The Texan people living at the mission were few in numbers and accepted immigrants from the United States. Together they fought for freedom from Spain. Their number increased from 500 to 30,000 inhabitants. The gathering of these people to be their own nation became a concern for the Mexican president.

One of the missions of the Alamo during Antonio López de Santa Anna’s election as president, was to retrieve a cannon to protect a Mexican town against the Comanche tribe. On October 2, 1835, the colonists refused and taunted them saying “come and take it” and fired on the men. This was the beginning of the Texas Revolution.

On February 23, 1836 the Mexican army arrived to the Alamo to take over the land as Mexican soil. On March 2^nd independence of Texas was documented and declared. Unaware, the Alamo and its 200 Texan defenders continued to defend against the Mexican army. On March 6^th the Mexican soldiers breached the north wall and attacked the Alamo and brutally killed many of the Texans, leaving them defeated. The battle lasted for only about 90 minuets. The battle of the Alamo is the symbol of their resistance to Mexican oppression. This war was the foundation for the independence of Texas.