Photographer's Note
When people think of San Antonio, Texas, it is the Alamo that most often springs to mind. Today it is merely an old mission building in the heart of the city, but that belies its previous size and rich history as a center of Texas rebellion against Mexico in the 1830s.
After Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, the new country wanted to take control of its northern lands, which were mostly unsettled by people of European descent. In order to do this, the government began a program of settlement, and invited American settlers to join in. A steady stream of Americans, led at first by Stephen Austin, after whom Texas's capital city is named, began to arrive in the territory. American saw it as perfect land in which to expand the plantation and slave economy which had taken root throughout much of the American South.
The Mexican government, fearing that Texas was becoming too American, clamped down on immigration, outlawed slavery, and enforced Catholicism against the primarily Protestant immigrants. These actions, as well as a centralization policy by Mexican dictator Santa Anna, caused some Texans to plan a revolt and an independence struggle.
The first shots of that struggle occurred in San Antonio, then better known as Bexar. A small band of rebels took the Alamo, by then a military fort with wide defensible walls that had been constructed due to frequent Native American attacks, from an even smaller Mexican army contingent. Anticipating a counterstrike, defenders came to the Alamo as a first stand in a war for Texan independence. When that battle came, however, they were badly outnumbered; after a two week siege, the Alamo fell to Santa Anna's assault. However, the Texan rebels were able to exploit mistakes by the numerically superior Mexicans later in the war to capture Santa Anna himself and force an admission of Texan independence. The Alamo, along with its over 200 fallen defenders, became a rallying cry for Texan soldiers during the war.
Less than a decade later, Texas was annexed into the United States, a move which sparked the Mexican American War; that war resulted in the loss of much of what is now the American Southwest - New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California - to the United States, which cemented its role as a continental power.
Today, the Alamo is one of the United States' most frequent tourist attractions because of the popularity of its story - a heroic last stand. The real story is of course more complicated and lacking in clear heroes, but the myth remains.
Critiques | Translate
holmertz
(102700) 2012-11-20 7:18
Hello Andrew,
An interesting picture and an interesting note. The white façade is quite pretty and it is well framed by the tree and its overhanging branches. The people in front of the building and beside the tree are of course very important to the good atmosphere of the photo, along with the light from the lamps.
Best regards,
Gert
bbarna
(1529) 2012-11-20 10:08
Hello Andrew,
You created an interesting picture of a site which is famous but on my daylight picture not very impressive. TFS.
Regards,
Barnabas
No_One
(4) 2012-11-20 14:01
Hi Andrew,
A wonderful shot, with a crisp and well lit full moon, but even moreso than this, thank you for the excellent note! I must admit, in my ignorance, I had no idea of the history you have shared here, and I am really please to know what you have shared. Thanks for this, every day Trekearth expands my knowledge of the world, and I especially love it when its of such an iconic place. When the day comes that I visit here, I will be proud to know this history.
Many thanks
Noel
gus72
(3719) 2012-11-20 18:16
Hi Andrew !!
The Alamo and its story is well engraved in my mind..... ever since I did the guided tour a few years ago.
There is a nice mood in your photo...... I like it a lot.
Cheers from Australia
Gus
Miguel82
(47110) 2012-11-21 1:12
Acl,
Nice place to have a break and talk by evening
I like the monument and the blurred effect
Fine colors, contrast, good sharpness
Regards
danos
(110407) 2012-11-21 9:19
Hello Andrew,
nice the scene with the full moon to be placed perfect over and on the left side of the church.
I like the well lighted church with the poeple to adds life in the image.
Regards,Danos
williewhistler
(16606) 2012-11-21 13:17
Hello Andrew,
the remarkable clarity of the people even after an 8 second exposure is a credit to your photographic skill.
I like the use of the tree to frame the building,it`s a very well composed photograph superceded only by your comprehensive and interesting note.Well done.
Best regards Les.
jemaflor
(147128) 2012-11-22 4:23
Hi Andrew,
Light is well mananged, interesting presentation for this old monument, well taken with leaves and tree, tfs.
marabu61
(11587) 2012-11-22 10:43
Hello Andrew
Very informative and well written note that goes with a pleasing night time shot of the village square and the typical spanish style church and the local youth gathering in front of it.
The church is so well illuminated and clear in contrast to the slightly moving people, that makes for a good contrast.
have a good time
Daniel
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Andrew Lipsett (ACL1978)
(7511)
- Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2012-10-29
- Categories: Architecture, Ruins
- Camera: Nikon D3100, *AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
- Exposure: f/11, 8 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Theme(s): A Shot in the Dark, Historical, Your Favorites [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2012-11-20 5:34
- Favorites: 1 [view]