The Alamo is an important part of Texas history. Located in San Antonio, the Alamo represents Texas nationalism and pride. Over two and a half million people visit the Alamo every year; it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas (Hinton 153). Many aspects of popular culture have re-created the events that took place at the Alamo because it is such a significant part of United States history. The Battle of the Alamo was an extremely important event in the Texas Revolution because it served as the turning point: it sparked the desire for revenge, causing a build up of army forces, which led to the independence of Texas.
The Alamo inspired the desire for revenge because the Mexican forces had destroyed the majority of the Texas soldiers that were defending the Alamo. Before the Mexicans arrived, there were an estimated 150 to 200 soldiers at the fort, and at least 187 Texas soldiers died in the battle, according to eyewitness accounts (Williams 159). Most of the surviving people in the fort were wives and children of the soldiers who had been stationed there (Williams 169). To add more incentive for revenge, the dead bodies of the Texan soldiers were mutilated and burned, something that was thought to be disrespectful at the time (Williams 173). The people of Texas began to hate the Mexicans, led by Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
The Battle of the Alamo sparked the desire for revenge, and many people desired to take action in an act of patriotism. A common hatred of the Mexicans began to unite the people of Texas who supported independence, and they became dedicated to sacrifice their own lives for the greater cause. The defeat at the Alamo led to what is known as the “Runaway Scrape,” beginning on March 11, 1836 (Davis x). During this event, the remaining Texas soldiers as well as the civilians retreated far away from the Alamo, and many Americans were inspired to join the army for revenge purposes. By retreating far away, the Texas army was able to build up their army using the new recruits. They continuously fled from the Mexican army, making them believe they were fleeing battle due to lack of strength, and successfully built up the forces needed to claim victory.
The new and improved Texas army was now stronger and better equipped to take on the Mexican army, which was unprepared for and not expecting the upgrade. This led to the victory of Texas and the annexation of Texas by the United States. Mexican forces, led by Santa Anna, pursued the Texas army as they retreated but began to spread out spaciously (Davis xi). This allowed the Texas army, led by Sam Houston, to turn around on the Mexican army (Davis xi). This led to the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texas was successful and the revolution came to an end. On April 22, 1836, the Texans captured Santa Anna (Davis xi). Texas then went on to become the Republic of Texas, with the push for independence having been cemented in the victory from the revolution and the help of the Battle of the Alamo.
The Battle of the Alamo was a turning point in the Texas Revolution because of the significant effects it had on the people of Texas: it caused a desire for revenge that sparked an increase in army participation, causing Texas to gain the power it needed to leave Mexico’s grasp. To this day, the Alamo is run by a private corporation that utilizes the building to showcase the Anglo-Texan nationalism that came from the Texan Revolution (Hinton 156). The Alamo has, and always will be, a symbol of pride for Texas’ citizens as well as patriots of the United States.
Works Cited
Davis, William C. Lone Star Rising: The Revolutionary Birth of the Texas Republic. New York:
Free Press, 2004.
Hinton, Kip Austin. “Manifest Destiny Meets Inclusion: Texas Nationalism at the Alamo.”
Williams, Amelia. “A Critical Study of the Siege of the Alamo and of the Personnel of its
Defenders: IV. Historical Problems Relating to the Alamo.” The Southwestern Historical
Quarterly 37.3 (1934): 157-184.
