The American Republic To 1877 © 2007

Chapter 12: Manifest Destiny

Web Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter students have read about the growth of the United States across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. Americans and other immigrants moved into Texas at the invitation of the Mexican government. After several years, however, the Mexican government realized that these new settlers were determined to follow their own rules. The Texans resented the restrictions that the Mexican government began to impose on them. This led to the war for Texas independence. One of the most famous battles of this war took place in San Antonio at the Alamo.

Lesson Description
In this lesson students will visit the official Web site of the Alamo. They will answer questions about the history of the Alamo and the battles that took place there. Students will then choose five of the defenders and make trading cards about their lives and contributions. This will enable students to think about the men who chose to give their lives to this cause of freedom. In class, students can discuss the various defenders and share their cards.

Instructional Objectives
  1. The learner will be able to describe the history of the Alamo.
  2. The learner will be able to research for basic facts from a Web site.
  3. The learner will be able to create five trading cards of defenders of the Alamo, using pictures, icons, graphics, and text.
Student Web Activity Answers
  1. The Alamo was originally called Misión San Antonio de Valero, and it was a home for missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly 70 years.
  2. In December 1835, Ben Milam led Texan and Tejano volunteers against Mexican troops quartered in San Antonio. After five days of house-to-house fighting, they forced General Cós and his soldiers to surrender. The victorious volunteers then occupied the Alamo—already fortified prior to the battle by Cós and the Mexicans—and strengthened its defenses.
  3. The siege began on February 23, 1836, and ended on March 6, 1836.
  4. Yes; at least fourteen people survived.
  5. Students' trading cards will vary.
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