Biography of Davy Crockett

Symbols of independence

17 August 1786
6 March 1836
Davy Crockett-often referred to as David Crockett-Wild West American folk hero, was born on 17 August 1786 in the State of Tennessee, County of Greene, at Limestone, from a family in difficult economic conditions: parents, in fact, because of the flooding of the river Nalichucky have lost all their belongings and home, and must come to terms with a remarkable lack of means. Raised by her father (owner of an Inn), which considers him a wimp, lashes, Davy goes home to do the Drover and auxiliary salt road.
Growing up without an actual statement (learn to read and write only a short time before getting married), she also works in Boston, and in the meantime cultivates a passion for hunting, especially in Possum and badgers, whose skin is very valuable and therefore can be sold with more substantial gains. As time passed, hunting becomes his only job: abandoned possums, became famous as a Hunter of bears throughout Tennessee. After marrying in September 1813 leaves his wife and children when he learns that the settlers are going to be attacked by Indians, and joins the army commanded by General Andrew Jackson. Engaged as a Scout against the Creek Indians, succeeds thanks to his courage to defeat enemies after the failure of the plan arranged by Jackson; so, back to civilian life, is showered with accolades from his countrymen, who elect the local justice of the peace and then Colonel of the regiment. While resumes the hunt for bears, becomes part of the legislature of Tennessee; so is a candidate as a member of Parliament and was elected, in 1828, the Congress of the United States. Meanwhile, Jackson became President of the nation as a representative of the Democratic Party, and appears intent on violating the peace treaty he had signed with the Creek years ago. Davy Crockett, instead, choose to be loyal to the Covenant, and therefore strictly opposes the Bill.
Fifteen years after the battle which had become the protagonist, in short, he realizes that the Indians were nothing more than peaceful farmers with the same rights of the colonists. To new elections, however, Davy does not gain consensus hoped, and was defeated by Jacksonian. This does not prevent him from continuing to oppose, to the point that, given its fame increased, he was elected for a third term in Congress. It is, however, of his latest political experience: after the third term, by virtue of the opposition to Jackson is not re-elected. After having travelled to many villages of the East, now disgusted and disappointed by politics, to publicize the book he wrote "A narrative of the life of David Crockett", decides to abandon Washington permanently, not before he uttered a phrase destined to go down in history: "I'm going back to Texas, you may all go to hell".
Took part in the war fought from Texas to achieve independence from Mexico the dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Party with sixteen Patriots (which form the "company of Crockett"), Davy arrives at Fort Alamo after joining the revolution. The commanders of the Fort are definitely happy with the arrival of Crockett, to the point of asking him to take command of the operations as a Colonel: but he refuses, while thanking, explaining that have come to fight as a patriot, and not to control. In late February, Fort Alamo suffers attack of enemies: a desktop there are less than two hundred Texans, but they can cause severe losses among opponents. On the evening of 5 March 1836, however, the Alamo is surrounded by 5,000 Mexicans, who hit by gunfire and destroy it without encountering resistance: General Sam Houston, called to form a militia of 2,000 Texans fails to stop the assault.
Davy Crockett died together with his companions, in the fight for Texas independence and freedom. A brave and humane death, a sacrifice by true American: a few days later, in April 1836, the battle of San Jacinto will deliver victory to Texans who declare their independent State and elect Government leader General Sam Houston. The figure of Davy Crockett were devoted fourteen movie: among others, is worth quoting "the Alamo Heroes" (original title: "The Alamo"), with the main character played by Billy Bob Thornton in 2004; and "the Alamo" (original title: "The Alamo"), with the main character played by John Wayne in 1960. Often depicted with suede or buckskin leather jackets and leather trousers, Crockett is depicted always with a big belt at waist and inseparable rifle in his left hand: it is, however, a result of the invention of modern dramaturgy and historians, that the real Crockett never wore in real life.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.