Read this autobiography of Davy Crockett. Then answer the following questions. Davy Crockett

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Kory Roberts
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1 Read this autobiography of Davy Crockett. Then answer the following questions. Davy Crockett 1 I was born in Hawkings County, Tennessee on August 17, We were a very poor family. My father, John, tried to make a living as a farmer, mill operator, and storekeeper. But he failed at all of these jobs and remained in debt all of his life. Because of the difficult economic times, my father put me to work driving cattle to Virginia when I was just twelve years old. 2 It was very difficult for me to get an education because I was working so hard to just earn enough money to survive. However, I knew that I would never be able to support a family of my own without schooling. So I worked for a nearby Quaker teacher, who in return, taught me how to read and write. 3 In 1806, I was married to Mary Finely. We lived on a farm, which was very difficult work. I always enjoyed hunting more than work. So after five years of farming, we moved farther west to Franklin, Tennessee. 4 Shortly after moving, the so-called Creek War began. On August 30, 1813, a band of Creek Indian warriors attacked a stockade called Ft. Mims. The Native Americans killed over 500 people. I volunteered to serve as a scout in the frontier militia, which would protect the citizens from further attacks. During this campaign, I served as a mounted scout and hunter. Luckily, my unit encountered little fighting. 5 The years of 1815 and 1816 were a traumatic time. Sadly, my wife, Mary, died. Then while I was traveling with neighbors in Alabama, I contracted malaria and they left me along the road to die. Luckily, I recovered and returned to Tennessee, pale and sickly. You should have seen the look of surprise on their faces when they saw me arrive. I told them that I knew the story of my death was a whopper of a lie the moment that I heard it.

2 6 In 1821 I was elected to the Tennessee state legislature. I served as the spokesman for poor and debt-ridden citizens who were often homeless. I proposed bills to reduce their taxes, settle land disputes, and in general to protect the economic interests of western settlers. 7 I ran for the United States Congress in 1825 and lost. But I didn t give up. When I ran again two years later, I won the election. I worked for the poor settlers who had no property. I introduced the Tennessee Vacant Land Bill, which would have offered free land to frontier settlers in return for the increase in value which they would bring about because of their improvements. I stayed in Congress until During this time, I fought hard to represent the interests of my frontier district. President Andrew Jackson strongly disagreed with some of my key positions, and used his influence to put an end to my political career. 8 I have written these accounts of my life because at this time my existence is in danger. It is 1836, and I am in San Antonio, Texas. Despite the terrible odds, I have decided to stay and defend the Alamo from General Santa Ana and the Mexican soldiers who are trying to take the land away from the citizens of Texas. Colonel William Travis has informed us that we are terribly outnumbered and that those who stay to fight will likely not survive. He gave us the option to leave, but I have decided to stay and defend the Alamo no matter what the odds. 9 Sadly, Davy Crockett, along with everyone else who bravely stayed to defend the Alamo, were killed by the Mexican soldiers. Their lives were not forgotten, and their deaths caused people all over the United States to rally to the cause of Texas. The battle cry of, Remember the Alamo! became their inspiration to defeat General Santa Ana and his troops.

3 1 How did the author organize this passage? He stated a main idea and provided supporting details. He related events in his life in chronological order. He outlined a problem and then gave possible solutions. He explained a cause and then listed several effects. 3 Which did Davy do first? He volunteered as a scout in the militia. He worked for a Quaker teacher. He ran for the U.S. Congress. He traveled to San Antonio, Texas. 4 When Davy traveled to Alabama he served as a scout in the frontier militia. 2 Approximately how much time elapses in this passage? two weeks 10 years 50 years 100 years he introduced the Tennessee Vacant Land bill. he married Mary Finely. he contracted malaria and almost died.

4 5 Which of the following events happened last? Davy traveled to Texas. Davy worked as a cattle driver in Virginia. Creek Indian warriors attacked Ft. Mims. Davy enjoyed hunting and trapping. 7 While serving in the Tennessee state legislature, Davy was able to do all of the following except introduce the Tennessee Vacant Land Bill. serve as a spokesman for the poor and debt-ridden. propose bills to reduce taxes. protect the economic interests of western settlers. 6 What is the main idea of this passage? Davy Crockett s father failed at many jobs and remained poor all of his life. 8 The autobiography is mostly about the importance of serving in the Congress. While Davy Crockett was in Congress, he supported the poor settlers of the frontier. Davy Crockett worked hard, never gave up, and fought for what he believed in. the life of Davy Crockett. the causes of the conflict at the Alamo. the effect Col. William Travis had on Crockett s life. Davy Crockett contracted malaria while he was traveling in Alabama.

5 9 Why did the author include paragraph 5 in the passage? to show how Davy Crockett met Andrew Jackson. to show why Davy Crockett joined the frontier militia. to show why Davy Crockett stopped working on the farm. to show how Davy Crockett was forced to overcome hardships. 12 Details from the passage suggest that Davy probably moved to Franklin, Tennessee because he wanted to move farther away from his parents. he liked the weather there better. it was a place where he could do more hunting and trapping. he heard the area was rich with gold. 10 In paragraph 2, the author shows how Crockett became employed as a cattle driver. educated. interested in hunting. a skilled legislator. 13 Paragraph 5 says that Davy s neighbors had a look of surprise when they saw him arrive home from his trip to Alabama. This is probably because they thought he wanted to live in Alabama forever. 11 From the selection, you can figure out that Davy wrote about the events of his life because his life was in immediate danger. he was far away from home. he was having an adventure. he had learned something. they did not expect him to survive his bout with malaria. they didn t think that he could afford to get back home. they weren t expecting him to be home until Christmas.

6 14 Why did Davy probably want to help the poor, debt-ridden, and homeless while he served in the legislature? He wanted to do his father a favor. He knew first-hand how difficult poverty can be on people. The poor had financed most of his campaign. He didn t like rich people. 15 Why did Davy most likely decide to stay at the Alamo even though he knew that he would probably not survive the fighting? He knew that he couldn t outrun the enemy forces. Colonel Travis offered to pay him a lot of money if he stayed. He was held there against his will. He thought defending the Alamo was the right thing to do.

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