单选题
Alamo
Erected
in 1722 as a Franciscan mission and later used as a fort, the Alamo is now a state monument and popular tourist attraction. Located in San Antonio Texas, the Alamo has great historical importance, as it was the site of a
pivotal
battle in Texas" war of independence against Mexico. The lore surrounding the Alamo continues to fascinate people to this day. In 1995, excavators began digging on the grounds of the monument in the search for gold which was supposedly dropped down one of the wells during the course of battle.
The battle that was to take place at the Alamo reaches far back in history. During the 18th century, Texas formed an integral part of the Mexican state. In fact, both U.S. states bordering Mexico to the north, namely Texas and New Mexico, were part of the Mexican country. Strong economic ties had developed between both nations, mainly due to the booming cattle industry. Texan ranchers provided the raw beef meat that was to be shipped in huge refrigerated cars further north towards the meat processing plants in Chicago and Detroit.
At that time, white Americans and swarthy Mexicans cohabitated peacefully the Texan lands. These prosperous times were to be shattered by the emergence on the political scene of dictator General Santa Anna. Santa Anna was a vain and ruthless man, who had wrestled control away from the Mexican government and instituted a regime of brute terror. Any Mexican citizen was to be at his every beck and call, including the well-off Texan ranchers.
Of course, that situation did not sit well with the proud Texans, whether of American or Mexican origin. No sooner did they realize that the state was falling into the claws of a usurper, they strived to set themselves free. A handful of resolute freedom fighters declared Texas" independence from Mexico and set up an independent democratic government. Santa Anna responded by mobilizing his army and marching towards insurgent Texas. Thus, both sides were set for armed
combat
.
On February 23, 1836 Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna led a Mexican force of more than 2000 men in an attack on the San Antonio garrison. Texan insurgents led by Colonel William Barrett Travis had captured the garrison the previous December. With the attack by Santa Anna, the Texan forces, who were composed of 155 soldiers and 15 civilians, withdrew to the Alamo.
Santa Anna
deployed
his troops around the structure and launched an intensive assault. The Texans received reinforcements of 32 men on March 1 and withstood the Mexican attack until March 6, when the walls of the Alamo were breached. Colonel Travis, his chief aides—who included the frontiersmen Davy Crockett and James Bowie—and the remainder of the garrison perished in the fierce battle that followed. All 187 Texan defenders were killed, but the lives of the 15 civilians were spared. The battle over the Alamo was a bitter struggle for both sides and was not quickly forgotten by the Texans. In the subsequent Battle of San Jacinto, the rallying cry of the Texans was "Remember the Alamo!", and in this contest they succeeded in defeating Santa Anna and his forces.
Glossary
Franciscan:
a member of an originally mendicant religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209 and dedicated to the virtues of humility and poverty. It is now divided into three independent branches.
lore:
knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
garrison:
the troops stationed at a military post
Texan:
of or relating to or characteristic of Texas or its residents