American Government: A Lasting Legacy

Submitted By Rittej01
Words: 3986
Pages: 16
Open Document
American Government

A Lasting Legacy

Introduction

There are many places, people, and organizations that have had a great impact on America. Some are monuments; one in particular stands as an ideological symbol of our nation. Some are former presidents; one who was a prior military leader who went on to lead our country. Some are simply known for a strong devotion to serving the American people. Mount Rushmore has become one of the most recognized tourist attractions in the country. President Eisenhower will always be known for his achievements while in office. The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to provide for those who have served our country. These are three such examples, all of which have, and continue to, leave a legacy that will not soon be forgotten by the American people.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore began as a nameless, faceless rock jutting out of the Black Hills in southwestern South Dakota. In 1885, an American businessman and lawyer named Charles Rushmore was visiting that area for business regarding local tin mines which he owned. He and his guide, William Challis, were in the Black Hills, and Rushmore asked Challis what the rocky cliff was named. Challis replied that it didn’t have a name, but “we’ll call her Rushmore” although the site’s new name wasn’t recognized by the United States Board of Geographic Names until 1930. What would eventually become of that cliff face represents the achievements of America: founding, expansion, preservation, and conservation, each attributed to the legacy of one of the Presidents the monument boasts. (Curlee, p 8)

No such monument would exist, however, until the 1920s, when the state historian of South Dakota, Jonah “Doane” Robinson, first suggested that figures be carved into a different set of rocks in the Black Hills, which are granite spires named “the Needles.” Robinson’s proposal was that figures from the Old West be carved into the Needles as a tribute to the frontier heritage of South Dakota, and that such large statues would serve as a tourist attraction to the state, which was a very remote place for most Americans in the 1920s. He presented his idea to local businessmen, politicians, and sculptors. A senator from South Dakota, Peter Norbeck, helped support the proposal. He was the former governor, the state’s most powerful politician, and a strong advocate for natural forest and wildlife conservation. Senator Norbeck “was a leader in the national movement to preserve areas of great natural beauty and to make them accessible to the public,” and his political backing of the project was crucial. (Curlee, p 10)

Robinson and Senator Norwood agreed that the artist who took on the project needed to be extraordinary. They discovered a man named John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, who was a professional sculptor considered to be very talented with limitless ambition. Possessing a charming personality and a huge ego, Borglum was known for impressive, large-scale designs. Doane Robinson sent a letter describing his vision to Borglum, calling it an opportunity “for heroic sculpture of unusual character.” (Curlee, p 11)

At the time, in 1924, Borglum was already working on a massive relief sculpture of Confederate figures Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Thomas Jackson into the side of Stone Mountain near Atlanta, GA. The project failed, though, because of Borglum’s ego and controlling demeanor. He refused to accept any artistic interference from the project’s owners, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and their ensuing disagreements caused Borglum to destroy his working models and abandon his sculpture at Stone Mountain. “Accused of ‘offensive egotism and delusions of grandeur,’ Borglum retorted: ‘I destroyed the models for the greatest piece of sculpture in the world’s history because I believe in the right of the artists to his own creation. I am ready to rot
Show More

Related Documents: American Government: A Lasting Legacy

Personal Narrative Essay: The Future Of Healthcare

party is in power, the government has continued to become a larger part of our lives. People all over the world look up to what a great country we are, and don’t get me wrong, we most definitely are, but there’s always the reality behind something good. The truth is the government has become greedy and ravenous, ready to devour and have complete world domination over our lives. Today, the government seems to have an undesirable appetite to watch us, control us, and follow our footprints on everything…

Words 1302 - Pages 6

FISA Pros And Cons

drafted in 1787 by our Founding Fathers and has been abided by ever since; its first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights, are an assurance provided to the population of America to ensure the protection of people’s rights under the power of the federal government. We fool ourselves into believing that our rights were protected back then and we continue to fool ourselves by believing our rights are protected now. The federal government has been lying to our faces and spying behind our backs for a while…

Words 1793 - Pages 8

Being An American Citizen In A Constitutional Democracy

be an American Citizen in a Constitutional Democracy means that we as citizens have to do our part. Therefore, Citizens in the Democracy of America do have responsibilities. Such as, voting, communicating with elected officials, and participating in our communities. These three components are how Americans citizens can influence their government. Therefore, as a citizen it is also a responsibility to be educated about the American government. Nevertheless, the traditional views of American democracy…

Words 290 - Pages 2

What Is The Supreme Law Of The Land Essay

States of America established the American government, politics, citizens and all the 50 states. The American Constitution calls itself as the “Supreme Law of the Land”. In our constitution, there are features to keep our nation civilized and our government to be not corrupt. It also ensures the citizen to not overpower its citizens. With these features, American government will be stronger and will not be demolish by anyone and anything. The concept of our constitution is based on popular…

Words 518 - Pages 3

World War I Changed America Research Paper

States. World War I boosted the U.S. economy exponentially because of the need for mass production and government intervention in the economy, which changed Americans’ everyday lives. Moreover, World War II expanded the United States’ economy and caused social change through new job creation in urban production areas, the mobilization of the economy to support the war effort, and integration of American troops and people.…

Words 1055 - Pages 5

Argumentative Essay: Indian Reservation Needs More Funding

but only kept one. They promised they’d take our land, and they did” (Chief Red Cloud). Native Americans lived in America long before explorers and colonists arrived and forced them into their “civilization” through violence, followed by a series of unfair trades and treaties. Not to mention, the unfair treaties with the Natives have been broken by the American government. In the reservations of the Native Americans, their funding from the government decreases, which puts them in poverty. Because…

Words 842 - Pages 4

Persuasive Essay On The Book 1984

society there is no stopping our definite shift towards the ways of “Big Brother”. Our government can spy on us through our cell phones, computer screens, survillence cameras and a variety of other technological achievements. In the novel 1984 the author tells of how horrible a totalitarian government would be for a society, warning citizens to resist governmental control through technology. What if everything you did or said was being monitored by the government? This is the case today, just…

Words 445 - Pages 2

Universal Military Conscription In American History

Military Conscription in American History The use of the military conscription, or draft, throughout American history is a controversial topic. It is not often argued about presently, but when it is, it is done passionately so. I fully support the use of the military draft throughout our history for numerous practical reasons. First of all, the U.S. government has a constitutional obligation to protect and defend its citizens. Secondly, it is our responsibility as free American citizens to abide by…

Words 1091 - Pages 5

How Did The Declaration Influence The Constitution?

documents that give americans the right to live freely and independently. During the colonial period, the British government and military caused problems in the colonies by raising taxes with their representation and garrisoning soldiers within some colonial cities. Because of these and many other problems the colonists declared their independence from Great Britain. The declaration of independence helped influence the bill of rights by protecting the rights of all americans and limiting power to…

Words 572 - Pages 3

What It Means To Be An American Citizen Essay

Patriotism defines as devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty. Many Americans hold strong pride in our country. Nonetheless, we are proud to be American citizens and we will to do all that it takes to keep our country a safe, free, and well running country. As an American teenager, there are many responsibilities I can do to help my country. I can learn about the way the government works so when I become of age to vote I can make informed decisions. I can make sure I am always…

Words 727 - Pages 3