Battle Of The Alamo Research Paper

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The Battle of the Alamo was more than the name simply implies. It was more than a battle between two opposing forces during the Texas Revolution. It was a battle of competing political issues between the Mexican government and the interests of the United States of America. The significance of the Battle of the Alamo is difficult to understand, without describing the triggering events. The prelude of the Battle of the Alamo will help those unfamiliar with this pivotal event, understand how everything culminated in the thirteen day siege, and subsequent victory for the Mexican forces. This paper will explain why and how the Battle of the Alamo occurred and an alternative outcome of this battle, which entertains the application and proper use…show more content…
A Filibuster defined today is a prolonged Senate debate, however, and then it meant a private armed person engaged in a military act against the domain of a country at peace with the United States of America. Despite the Neutrality Act of 1794 making this activity illegal, filibusters continued harassments Spanish ruled regions. The territories of Florida and Texas, still under Spanish rule, were prime targets for the filibusters. (Kwakwa, 1992, p. 116) During the 1800's, filibusters blatantly crossed the American border into Florida and Texas, and fought for their independence. To the Mexicans, they were known as Rabble-Rousers or Demagogues. To the Americans, they were known as freedom fighters. If the filibusters gained some success in pushing away the Spaniards from their territories, it would be effortless for the American government to later come in, and claim the land for themselves. What filibusters did was prohibited, and the American government would publicly denounce filibuster activity. Privately, the American government encouraged filibusters. Filibusters also received support from other Americans in form of supplies, or financial aid. Occasionally, filibusters gained followers while traveling to Florida or Texas, increasing their potential of defending themselves when attacked. (Kwakwa,…show more content…
However, American Presidents from George Washington to James Monroe, feared imminent invasion from the British in the North, and the Spaniards to the West. Because of this perceived danger, and the desire to increase Americas land size, the Louisiana Purchase was established. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase with France. America gained land known today Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France at a price of $15 million. (Livingston, Monroe, Marbois, 1803) The ratification of the Louisiana Purchase treaty by the American Senate, increased the size of the United States two-fold, and opened up the continent to its westward expansion. (see Appendix A for geographical information) Despite the official purchase, the boundaries were not clearly defined within Louisiana. Texas was still part of Spain, and land disputes between Spain and the United States of America ensued. Spain did not have enough security garrisoned within Texas to efficiently, and effectively protect its land. This allowed American immigrants to flow freely into many portions of Texas unchecked. The American government continued to claim several portions of Texas, as part of the Louisiana Purchase; however, the Louisiana Purchase did not include
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