Abstract This paper discusses the events leading up to the fateful standoff at the Alamo that also set the stage for the Texas War of Independence. It contends that posterity has built a mythology around the Alamo that has been difficult to authenticate. It explains that Alamo stands as another emblem of the American quest for liberty, freedom, and independence.
From the Paper "The battle for the Alamo has grown to mythic proportions bolstered in posterity by those keen to liken the last stand of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Barret Travis to the Spartan defense of Thermopolyae two and a half millennia hence not a particularly shrewd or strategic military ploy the defense of the Alamo was as much a miscalculation as it was a rebellious last stand ..."
Tags: the alamo, davy crockett, jim bowie, texas, texians, mexican independence, santa anna
Abstract This paper explains the Alamo, especially the intersection of internal Mexican politics and the politics of revolutionary independence that culminated at the battle of the Alamo in 1836. The author examines the geopolitical aspects of the battle between the states of Texas and Mexico.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine geopolitical aspects of the battle between armed forces representing the nations of Texas and Mexico, respectively. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context of the events that unfolded at the Alamo ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the Battle of the Alamo. On February 23, 1836, a Mexican army, estimated at 1,800 to 6,000 men and commanded by General Santa Anna, began a siege of the Alamo in Texas. The small Texan defending force was supplemented by some later arrivals, and amounted to about 184 men. For 13 days the Alamo's defenders held out before being slain on March 6. The Alamo thus became for Texans a symbol of heroic resistance.
Abstract This paper discusses America's image of itself over the siege and slaughter at the Alamo, as portrayed in the movies named, "The Alamo." The paper compares the historical accounts of the events that occurred at the Alamo with the way that these events were portrayed in the movies. It also looks at the role that Davy Crockett played in the defense.
From the Paper "Finally, there is a lesson that America should learn from the Alamo. Desperate courage can carry men to feats far beyond what could reasonably be expected of them. This is not a trait exclusive to Americans. The defenders at the Alamo were hopelessly outnumbered, but fought with the savagery of men committed to their struggle. Although the Mexican army prevailed, the losses ran to some 1,600 men dead, including many of the finest soldiers. Although able to recruit some replacements during the campaign, the Mexican army was losing men, materials, and morale even as it managed its victories as it marched towards San Jacinto. In 2007 in Iraq, the United States faces a group of men fighting for their land, against a vastly technologically superior force of invaders. With their technology and firepower, the Americans can win every battle. Should we, like Santa Anna, feel entirely confident of final victory?"
Abstract This essay looks at the 1960's John Wayne film "The Alamo" and compares it to the actual events of the battle for The Alamo in 1836. The author compares the actual evidence found by historians to the images portrayed in the film, and comes up with a number of conclusions.
From the Paper "John Wayne, starred, directed and produced The Alamo, it was an attempt by John Wayne to prove that he was more than just a photogenic actor. It had been an idea of Wayne 's since 1948, when Wayne started to become more politically aware and he became very anti-communist. It was never clear why John Wayne chose to make the Alamo , the closest reason that can be found is that a former friend, Bob Bradbury and his father made the film Davy Crockett and the fall of The Alamo. The film was reasonably successful and Bob's father would go on to direct John Wayne in his first B western movies. "
Tags: 1836, america, battle, comparisons, films, frontier, history, john, wayne
Abstract This paper explores the qualities of the battle at the Alamo in order to demonstrate how this "last stand" was not futile in the minds of its heroes but rather demanded them to prove their loyalty to the principles of patriotism.
Abstract This paper is a detailed analysis of the Battle of the Alamo. Attention is paid to the leadership styles of the Texan and Mexican commanders.
From the Paper From the paper:
"The Battle of the Alamo: Analysis of Principles of War and Leadership Tactics
The Battle of the Alamo, often called the most heroic and deadly battle of the Spanish-American Revolution, was prefaced by a series of events that led to the escalation of the Alamo Battle. One such siege, the Siege of Bexar, took place December 1836. Bexar, previously known as San Antonio de Bexar, was under the control of Mexican General Perfecto de Cos with about 1200 soldiers from Mexico. For almost two months, Texas volunteers had camped near the town in a virtual standoff with Cos. The stalemate ended, however, when one of the Texas leaders, Ben Milam returned from a brief absence to find that the Texans were about to withdraw to Goliad."
Tags: bowie, crockett, davy, independence, james, mexico, revolution, texan, texas, travis, war, william
Abstract This paper critiques the building from the point of view of architect Michelangelo who is totally unrelated to the building's design. Written in the first person speech given by Michelangelo, he critiques the building according to his own architectural values and beliefs.
From the Paper "Perhaps the thing that perplexes me most about this building is the scale. Walking up to it, it simply seems so small, much smaller than most people would imagine, I believe. It is dwarfed by many of the modern surrounding buildings, which adds to its diminutive status. I believe a building should be grand and impressive, and unfortunately, the Alamo is unassuming and could easily be overlooked. If I had a hand in renovation, I would add a grander fa?ade, perhaps less symmetrical but with more interesting and relevant details, such as more columns, and certainly a balustrade accessible for tourists to ascend to and view the surrounding plaza. I may seem too critical of what is obviously a very important American historical landmark. However, the building is not nearly as impressive as its' history to me, and I think it could be made much more memorable by adding a bit more style, color, and interest. I understand the phrase here in Texas is "Remember the Alamo." I however, will not carry its memory with me for long, as I feel it suffers from architectural apathy, rather than a real joyous interest in creating a unique and valuable monument to God - and to the architect who had a vision for detail and design."
Abstract This paper describes Davy Crockett and his role in American history. It specifically describes his roles as frontiersman, when he played an important role in the westward expansion of the American west. It looks at his role as politician for the state of Tennessee and finally it discusses his most famous role as a soldier, when he died defending the Alamo.
From the Paper "Crockett, his family, and three companions, William Patton, Abner Burgin, and Lindsey Tinkle set out for Texas. Not all of them reached Texas; Burgin and Tinkle returned to Tennessee, but Crockett and Patton signed the oath of allegiance to Texas. However, even this action bore the mark of Crockett's unique personality; he refused to sign the oath of allegiance until the word republican was inserted in the document. (Lofaro). Therefore, Crockett and Patton "swore their allegiance to the 'Provisional Government of Texas or any future republican Government that may be hereafter declared.' Crockett had balked at the possibility that he would be obliged to support some future government that might prove despotic." (Lofaro)."
Examines the accusations of leaking classified information brought against this Chinese-American doctor and the reaction of the Chinese American community.
Abstract The United States of America is a melting pot of various communities who have been residing in the country for generations. They feel assimilated into the American culture where many of them have been born and brought up in the U.S. and hence have remote connections with the country of their ancestors. However, there are times when these communities are in doubt over their assimilation. This paper studies the case of Wen Ho Lee - an employer of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Dr. Lee, a Taiwanese-born American was accused of tampering, altering and concealing classified information, as well as with removing secret weapons files from the Los Alamos computers. The paper describes the Asian-American community's anger against Dr. Lee's 9-month solitary confinement before he was freed in 1999 and their claims that his arrest was made on the grounds of racial prejudice.
From the Paper "Congressman Mike Honda D-San Jose also contributed by taking the petition to President George Bush. The campaign has been founded and led by Cecilia Chang of Fremont who believes that the fight is not for Wen Ho Lee alone but the entire nation that it represents which includes every American of Asian descent. She added that such organized response would guard and protect the Asian Americans against what may happen in the future. The campaign for getting as many signatures in support of Wen Ho Lee as possible extended itself to the internet where the supporters signed up online at www.wenholee.org. The petition campaign was co-sponsored by the Sacramento Chinese American Political Action Committee, East Bay Asian Voters Consortium, Association of North California Chinese Schools, South Alameda County Peace and Justice Coalition, and Joint Chinese University Alumni Association of Southern California. Endorsers included Citizens for a Better Community (Fremont), Honolulu Japanese American Citizens League and United Muslims of America (Sunnyvale) ."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of the atomic bomb in Japan. Specifically, it discusses President Truman's decision to use the atomic bomb in Japan and why it was the proper decision for the time.
From the Paper "When Truman took office after President Franklin D. Roosevelt died, he did not know about the development of the atomic bomb, it had been kept that secret. Roosevelt had created a nuclear program to look into creating an atom bomb several years before his death in 1945. In June 1942, this program was turned over to the army, and worked in Manhattan, and that is why it was code-named the "Manhattan Project." Just three months later, Enrico Fermi, the head scientist working on the project, created the first managed nuclear chain reaction. "'The event was not spectacular,' Fermi wrote in 1952, 'no fuses burned, no lights flashed. But to us it meant that release of atomic energy on a large scale would be only a matter of time'" (Szasz 14). The scientists kept working to perfect the process."
Abstract This paper examines nuclear technology development including a history that starts with Atoms for Peace in the 1950's. The author proceeds to review the newest applications being researched and developed today. The paper includes programs such as JET, ITER, MASK and AGR.
From the Paper "Nuclear technology development began with American internationalism and industrial preeminence shaped by the Manhattan Project, the ensuing Cold War and the Atoms for Peace programs of the fifties and sixties."
Tags: nuclear technology development, Atoms for Peace, AGR, fission, fusion, JET, tokamak, Los Alamos, AFCI, nuclear reactors, Gen III, Gen IV, TRAC/RELAP, TRACE, NERI, hairy ball theory, NGNP, LFR, GFR, Brayton cycle, ITER, MAST, GIF, NHI
