This unit explores the roles of individuals in history. Individuals' characteristics and how actions impact history. The questions is how and why? What makes a leader, innovator, influencer, and changer in history? And what are the complexity of their role in regards to each other during significant events in history?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Historical Characterizations: 8th period
What are your opinions of the other individuals in your group? Who did you respect the most? The least? Why? How would you describe yourself based on your actions during the Revolution? Your character? Did your character or others changed over time? Why and how? Due: March 12th
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Bowie says...
ReplyDeleteSanta Anna- The man was cruel and was of pure dishonesty and ultimately vile.
Juan Almonte- The man always had complete admiration for his ruler, but because of his fear.
Sam Houston- I consider him the Big Chief, since he is a person with utmost righteousness.
Davy Crockett- He is a wild man and he has an amazing past at that.
Juan Seguin- He had some wits coming and helping with our revolution as he was Mexican.
Stephen F. Austin- He brought Anglos here into Texas and supported us to fight for our freedom.
I respected Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin the most. The Big Chief (Sam Houston) rallied us to our senses and made sure we died defending. Stephen F. Austin supported us throughout the duration of the revolution, even if he was in jail. These men thought us to fight for our freedom.
I hated those two Mexicans we had to fight. That Santa Anna and his pet dog, Juan Almonte, were just creating havoc throughout Texas. They tried to control us, but we fought the oppression and made our way to freedom.
I, myself, Jim Bowie am a constant drinker. I am almost always drunk, but my senses in this situation were tuned mighty high. I was courageous even though I was sick on my cot and could not get up, but I still killed the Mexicans that came to my room to kill me. I may have died out of exhaustion or maybe I killed myself, but I would never let one of those Mexican bullets reach my body and kill me. I fought for what I knew was right and what the people around me shared our Anglo-Texan ethics. I made my way bravely through the Revolution gaining reputation everywhere as I went until my death which brought more fame, but I never really cared for this stuff.
I really changed over time. I was a sober man, even when my first bride-to-be died. The people made me one of their leaders and I accepted it only if I could fight alongside my people. In due course of time, I became a drunkard who was of always indisposed. This happened with the death of my family. I never enjoyed the memory, but drinking was the only thing that made me forget about the cruelty of the world. I faced all this, but I was a man never to back down from anything, not even death. I never used profanities and vulgarities because of my responsibility to maintain myself as a steady man even if I drank heavily. Out of all this, I remained to be a true man and a person to be counted on. This is what made me important to the people around me during the Revolution.
Santa Anna and I are prestigious leaders, the rest of the Texans are dogs. Sam Houston seems the most despicable to me, for he was the leader of this rebellion. I was a huge help to Santa Anna if I do say so my self. I may have been a bit ruthless at the Alamo, refusing the surrender offer, but I was a very educated general, defeating many Texans and outsmarting many on the battlefield. I slightly felt more respect towards the Texans, but not too much mind you!!! at the battle of San Jacinto, when they sent me and Santa Anna back to Mexico...but they're are still an army of rag-tag bums! -Avi Lipets (Juan Almonte)
ReplyDeleteI reckon that I respect most is Sam Houston. Sam Houston is a couragrous leader and will do what he thinks it is right. His sprit never wanes and his logic never is fails to impress me. His leadership is important to our success. All I did is just lead people and tell them where to go. Sam Houston will always be the right leader.
ReplyDeleteJim Bowie, I have changed my opinion on. I used to think he was a drunkard, and had no sense of logic. But after he showed his bravery, he is in my respect! Santa Anna, that lousy Mexican? He would never have my respect. He is a demon, insane and crazy. He is a dictator, a stupid one at that.
Amy Fan (Sam Houston)
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I think that Davy Crockett is the most reliable and most loyal person out of all of the people in this group.
Santa Anna is just a selfish person who will not listen to us, and I do not respect him at all. Maybe he doesn't agree with us, but at least he could be more competent...
I actually don't think Juan Almonte is that bad. Although we have completely different views on the Revolution, we both believe for what we think is right. He just happened to grow up with the belief that Santa Anna is superior. I don't bother him (unless he insults me) and he doesn't really bother me.
I admire Juan N Seguin though. Even after being forced to be in Santa Anna's army, he still fought for Tejas in the actual revolution and rebelled against Santa Anna
Jim Bowie is a good ol' pal of mine, but sometimes he just doesn't take things seriously. He has a pretty bad drinking problem (but then again, then do I) and he just always supports me- almost mindlessly.
Stephen F. Austin is a very good intentioned man, but he isn't really loyal to us. I know he has his reasons for supporting the Mexicans, but he can only be trusted as a friend- nothing else.
I believe that I am almost a leader for the Texans out of all the people in my group, for everyone else is either drunk or relatively quiet. I'm pretty loud and sometimes almost...annoying. But I believe that I am doing what is right. And sometimes, what is right is not pleasant.
No one really veered far off from their true intentions, (freedom or no freedom) but some people have had different personalities because of what happened.
Texans are like vermin to me in many respects. At least the thieving,drunk slave-drivers of their sorry army are. Jim Bowie, for one. A rascal to no end. Even now the only words he can say are "7 bottles of ale" which undoubtedly he'll be sharing with his companion Pablo Houston.How can you even consider a man (with no dignity in the enslaving of people and stealing of money) 's request for freedom when he himself is such a sorry lot?
ReplyDeleteNow Pablo, he is a strong man, remarkably. At least better than many of the unkempt rats of his troupe. He can at least hold himself with a little status. Say if he'd joined the Mexican side, I'd no doubt be ranking him somewhere between General and Prime Advisor for his witty mind. But my, the way he uses that mind to spew out senseless words at me, declaring that I caused his war! Inconsiderate, biased, and very drunk.
Then there's David Crockett. What can be said of the man? He's legendary, but a sorry sight for the tall tales that made him so famous. "Shuddup you" seems to be his only recourse in discussion, and where in America did he obtain a British accent? My opinion of him ranks somewhere between slug and non-existent, such a dissapointment after hearing about his greatness. True, first I respected him. I thought of him as a great and fearless man that I would not want to meet in combat. But now...what more can be said?
Juan Almonte now, the best of my followers boy! Although I can say he doubts me in some decisions, I know he will never betray me. In fact, I consider his wealthy family an asset to Mexico and his wonderful soul a jewel on my crown.
I daresay though, about betrayal, what a coward Juan Sequin is!Did he even think about Mexico? And accusing me of killing my own ancestry! Facts, boy, get them straight! I made you a general for I thought General was a desired role! Instead you claim it was forced upon you...oh woe is me for kindness to him. Scared of the Texans were you? Forgetting about motherland Mexico? Well then so be it! But your life is the one I shall first shame.
Then, one of the best for last. Stephen F. Austin...I do not know how to talk about the man. He is...remarkable...amazing.He is the one I choose to respect the most because of his calm manner. And his bravery - the courage it must have taken to face me with the plea of someone else...to ask for freedom when he knew my probable answer - that is bravery, and I commend you Austin! When I imprisoned you, I confess that it was an act out of general anger. You were the nearest Texan at hand AND the bringer of ill news at the same time. I sincerely regret confining you so, but you must admit I saved you from the bulk of the fighting. Had you been at the Alamo with the men, I'd be sorry to see your face among the dead I'd be condemmed to kill becaues of their foolish challenge. Your friendship with the Mexican peoples also is quite appealing towards me, and the way you asked for a compromise. You are a true man of honor, Austin.
I am a braggart, no doubt. But great men can afford to be great braggarts when you achieve as much as I. I also consider myself quite brave, if rash in my counters with the Texians. Many have asked me about my failure to quell the Texians, and I must confess it has changed me. Perhaps now I can look at others more openly, and at Americans more despicably. It has also put me to shame how the Battle of San Jacinto ended. My men to die in the swamps they were driven into without me, but I say that being around the cowardly Texians have made me just .01% cowarrd too! I'll say that Austin sure changed, and I regret it. We were friends Austin, until your so-called friends began a revolution. Now he's a wary person, and was a little despondent about losing the presidency of Tejas to Pablo. I'll say, if I wanted Tejas to be a free state, the first leader I'd set my sights on would be Austin. Not Pablo - he's wordy and biased, and a lot more full of himself since he won that stupid Battle of San Jacinto. I need a rematch! Of course, my glory far outshines that of Pablo's, remember! I am the glorious El Presidente of Mexico, whereas Pablo...as much more full of himself as he is...he's still a president of a bunch of poor, povertized fools.
ReplyDeleteI respect Sam Houston the most since he lead us to a victory and led us to our independence while I respect Santa Anna the least because he arrested me and told me to Command his army or death would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteI would say that I was a man who would stand and fight for what I beleived in and would be the first to alarm just like when I left the battle of the Alamo to bring more men to stand and fight.
I would say Santa Anna was the one who changed the most because when he was defeated at San Jacinto he ran and changed his appearance but was captured and decided to give us our independence and later took advantage of me in my later life because of the men under my control were fine men that would also give their lives for their beliefs.
(kian Ahmadi/ Juan N. Sequin)
Second Blog:
ReplyDeleteStephen F. Austin (Jennifer Lee)
I, a very optimistic person have always liked to work things out by peace. Fighting was never to my ideal. There was always a solution to everything. Violence is not the answer my friends! My actions during the Revolutions were the most sensible. Peace. There was no reason for ANYONE should have shed their blood. None. But why? Why do you all choose not listen? I believed that everyone was equal. I had none that I respected the most, nor did I have one that I looked down upon. But I must say that I have not changed much, even after being locked up in that cell. I still wished for peace and friendship with the Mexicans, but my wish was not granted. After I was released, the war had gone so far without me that I had barely had any opinions but to fight for the Texans.
Santa Anna- You are an old friend of mine. Cunning and smart. But did you not choose to use gifts in the wrong place? You were frightened of losing all of that you had gained. Power. What is so beautiful about that? You get it, but what do you gain from it? You made foolish decisions my friend. Be careful, and think before you act. Do not let your fear overcome you.
Sam Houston- You are a great leader to the Texans and I do agree with you. I can only be said as a friend, and nothing more. Indeed I did aid the Mexicans and supported them for a long time. You are indeed a smart man and even beat me in the race for Presidency, but what are you to say? FIGHTING for victory/freedom? Could you not have talked it out peacefully? Have some type of compromise? You didn’t try hard enough, and went straight out to war.
Davy Crockett- I do not know you well because I was in prison when you died. I believe you are a smart man for one who didn’t much education and very brave man too. You followed Sam Houston in his FIGHT for victory and freedom. Which you should know, I do not like. But hearing you all over makes me think of you as a loyal person.
Jim Bowie- I have heard many stories about you. You being a drunker, but then again you are a great and courageous person who fought for what he believes in. I praise you for that. But please remember I never liked the idea of fighting with the Mexicans for they were my friends, but yes I did support the Texans to the end.
Juan Almonte- You as Santa Anna’s right hand man. A very loyal person, and you followed your master everywhere, and never disobeyed him. But are too, foolish as your master. You had a wonderful future ahead of you, but you stepped into a hole in which you were dragged down by an utmost fear of loosing. But I certainly do admire your lifelong loyalty to your master.
Juan Sequin- Ah, the Texan born child who was forced to fight for Santa Anna. I also admire your bravery to escape Santa Anna’s grasp and fight for your freedom. You had no choice but to do what you could. A brave man indeed.
You all were fine people but I do wish that you all could have found a peaceful way of getting what you all desperately wanted instead to killing innocents and shedding blood.
Stephen F. Austin (Jennifer Lee)
ReplyDeleteReply to Santa Anna- Indeed thank you. I have become wary of this war, and I had not much of a voice when I was released from your prison... All the men have gone out and fought. I could not change anything by that point. My vision of a peaceful relationship with the Mexicans was completely destroyed. I could do nothing, but to help my Texans gain what they wanted. Pardon me for not being able to keep a peaceful relationship between us, for I regret being a helpless man without a voice.
Yes, I lost the race for Presidency against Sam Houston, don't worry I had no hard feelings, but I was still elected Secretary of State, and served it well for the short time I did. But please do not look down on Sam Houston for he was a great leader and built a strong Texan government. I don't dare to complain about him any longer.