HISTORY 2305: MILITARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
(DR. NORMAN DELANEY)
CASE STUDY: THE ALAMO (March 1836)
I. Lecture/Discussion: Background of the Texas Revolution
Why had the political situation deteriorated into a war?
Was it a necessary war? (as viewed by both sides)
Were the goals on each side clearly defined?
Who were the major figures involved on both sides?
What military advantages/disadvantages were there on both sides?
Who were the Tejanos? What were their motives?
II. Influence of Napoleonic Wars on Strategy & Tactics (Clausewitz, Jomini)
III. Weaponry:
Infantry (both sides)
Artillery (both sides)
Cavalry (Mexican lancers)
References:
Maps of Mexico/Texas in 1836; “The Alamo; Remembering
Through Education; Mapping Texas History”;
Brands, H. W. Lone Star Nation; The Epic Story of the Battle
for Texas Independence;
Castenada, Carlos E., ed. The Mexican Side of the Texan
Revolution;
Hardin, Stephen L. Texian Iliad; A Military History of the
Texas Revolution, 1835-36;
Matovina, Timothy. The Alamo Remembered: Tejano Accounts
and Perspectives;
Pena, Jose Enrique de la. With Santa Anna in Texas: A personal
Narrative of the Revolution;
Seguin, Juan N. A Revolution Remembered: The Memoirs and
Selected Correspondence of Juan N. Seguin.
Winders, Richard Bruce. Sacrificed at the Alamo; Tragedy and
Triumph in the Texas Revolution.
Internet websites:
http://home.austin.rr.com/rgriffin/texhisdocs.html (See Texas
Revolution)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318974/quotes
IV. The Alamo: Leadership, Strategy, and Tactics
A. The two armies compared
B. The Alamo complex (as it was in 1836); was it
defensible?
C. Teaching Methodology: role playing (students should be prepared to explain themselves in character)
D. The Leaders:
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
General Sam Houston
Lt. Colonel William Travis
Colonel James Bowie
Colonel James Fannin
Crossfire: Interrogation by the respective “troops”—be
tough on them!
What was your prior military experience?
What is your military training?
What are your personal stakes in this conflict?
Why should we follow you?
V. Councils of War held on March 5, 1846
A. Santa Anna with his officers
officers’ advice as to course of action
Santa Anna’s decision, disregarding all other options
B. Travis addresses his men
Travis’s decision to stay and fight; why stay and fight if
defeat and death are inevitable?
Other alternatives? escape? surrender?
VI. Conclusion. Class critique:
Were there better choices? Discuss alternatives.
Was the outcome of this battle inevitable? If so, at what point?
What factors other than military (political) contributed to the Texans’ defeat?
On what basis did Santa Anna defend his policy of “no quarter”?
Was Santa Anna guilty of “war crimes”?
Was this engagement a significant event?
What contributed to the Texan defeat at Goliad?
Did the Alamo defeat contribute to the Texans’ victory at San Jacinto?
Why is the story of the Alamo so popular even outside the United States?
Why has the Alamo become a part of folklore and mythology? Is this a bad thing?
What military lessons can we learn from the Alamo? Why should we study it?