Our nation has paid a price for freedom in battles and wars around the world. But one of the most important battles for freedom-the Defense of the Alamo-was on the sweeping plains of Texas in the early spring of 1836. This was a stand to the death by fewer than 200 men against thousands of Mexican soldiers led by the dictator Santa Anna. From this act of total commitment-from the ashes of the Alamo-others stepped forward and the Texas War for Independence was won, the Mexican War of the 1840s was won, and the United States gained territory that spread its limits to the Pacific Ocean. Total land area added was approximately one-third of the nation's present territory. Whether you are in California, Iowa, Texas or Maine, the events at the Alamo-the last stand of William Barret Travis-had a direct influence on shaping our country.
Television and movies have given us a look at this story of the Alamo, but none have shown it through the eyes of a 15-year old, as is done in the video The Cost of Freedom. In this story, an American teenager finds out what it's like to experience history first hand. This is a unique and fresh approach that lets students feel the emotion of history as well as the facts.
Is there a cost for freedom today? Certainly. In the breakup of the Soviet Union, in Lithuania, in South Africa, in democracy movements around the world, there is a price to pay for freedom. In the homes and schools where kids say no to drugs and lose friends because they take a stand to be free of chemicals, there is a price to pay for freedom. With kids who fall and make mistakes, but pick themselves up, and with changed hearts and attitudes become better and stronger, and are free to reach their destiny, there is a price to pay for freedom.
We recommend that a class watch the video once for drama and a second time for notes. A note sheet is provided for both teacher and student use. Also, we have included in this manual a wide variety of follow-up ideas. These include games, puzzles, dramatizations and activities for making students participants in learning history. For younger students there are hands-on projects. For older students there are both group and individual activities, and projects for student self-help.