William Travis addressed his letter as "Victory or Death" to the people of Texas during the Texas Revolution because he wanted to rally support and emphasize the urgency of the situation at the Alamo.
At the time, William Travis, along with a small group of Texian defenders, was besieged by a much larger Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. Travis understood the dire circumstances and wrote the letter as a call to action, urging fellow Texans to come to their aid and emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
By choosing the powerful phrase "Victory or Death," Travis sought to convey that the defenders of the Alamo were willing to fight to the very end and would accept no outcome other than victory or sacrificing their lives for the cause of Texas independence. The letter served as a rallying cry to inspire courage, unity, and determination among the people of Texas in their struggle against Mexican forces.