Battles that Changed History, Second Period 3/19

[screwyoumarvel]

"I must admit to a bit of a bias this week," Steve said. "I am American," Captain America, if they were being precise, "and the American Revolution is, after all, the war that created America. And the Battle of Yorktown was the last battle of that war.

"The Battle of Yorktown was actually a siege, lasting from September 28 to October 19, 1781, between British forces in Yorktown, Virginia, led by General Cornwallis and American and French forces led by General George Washington and General Comte de Rochambeau. It is not, tactically or strategically speaking, particularly noteworthy, but historically, it certainly is. The Treaty of Paris wasn't signed until September third, 1783, but the war was over after Yorktown, and America had won its independence. They could have chosen any form of government they pleased--some people wanted to make George Washington king. But it was decided that America would be the first democracy, the first government of the people and by the people, since Athens, and from America democracy has spread throughout the world. The American people set out to create a "more perfect union" than the one they had been part of previously, and I don't think anyone would say things are perfect, but as mission statements go, it's not a bad one, and we're certainly working on it.

"So. Now that I've shown my bias so clearly, let's talk about a more perfect union. What do you think that entails? How, as you see it, could your home system of governance be made more perfect? Pair up and talk about that for a while, and please, no shouting matches. I may be partial to democracy," Steve allowed with a wry smile, "but that doesn't mean that anyone's system is any better than anyone else's." Except, you know, for those times when it actually was. But he wasn't about to say that to a roomful of teenagers who might take any excuse for dramatics in debate.

Comments

Sign In

[screwyoumarvel]

Patriotically!

Re: Sign In

[weetinyreese.livejournal.com]

Kyle Reese

Re: Sign In

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

Rose Hathaway

Re: Sign In

[bitchprince]

Arthur Pendragon

Re: Sign In

[likes_scoundrels]

Leia Organa

Re: Sign In

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle

Re: Sign In

[bamf-tastic.livejournal.com]

Kurt Wagner

Re: Sign In

[lordofthecats.livejournal.com]

Lion-o

Re: Sign In

[notmyownage]

Claudia Donovan

Re: Sign In

[bitchy_smurf]

Illyria

Re: Sign In

[make-the-shot.livejournal.com]

Proto

Re: Sign In

[imcalledandros.livejournal.com]

Andros

Re: Sign In

[bloody-luck.livejournal.com]

Mat Cauthon

Re: Sign In

[nodaintyflower.livejournal.com]

Mulan

Re: Sign In

[sexonyoursheets.livejournal.com]

Noah Puckerman

During the Lecture

[screwyoumarvel]

Take notes, listen, pass notes, etc.

Re: During the Lecture

[likes_scoundrels]

Revolution? Leia definitely perked up for this lecture.

...no reason.

Re: During the Lecture

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle couldn't help grinning a little bit at the mention of Athens. Just a little.

She was Thracian, after all, and couldn't give them too much credit, could she now?

Re: During the Lecture

[bamf-tastic.livejournal.com]

"So... One of the most important battles, ever, was won by rochambeau?" Kurt asked with a snort. "Was it winner-takes-all, or best two out of three?"

Re: During the Lecture

[make-the-shot.livejournal.com]

Proto scowled slightly. He wanted to hear more details about the battle itself. He decided he'd swing by the library and do some research. Last battles were personally interesting to him.

Discussion Time

[screwyoumarvel]

How do you think your home system of governance can be made more perfect?

Re: Discussion Time

[likes_scoundrels]

"My home's government used to be a republic, but now it's a dictatorship," Leia bitched. "That needs to change. Perhaps not exactly like it was before the fall of the republic, but more like that than what it is now."

Re: Discussion Time

[bamf-tastic.livejournal.com]

"It can be made more perfect by not ignoring the contributions of the Hessians in your Revolution," Kurt answered.

Re: Discussion Time

[screwyoumarvel]

"I believe you are referring to the mercenaries fighting for the British crown?" Steve said. "The ones the Americans were fighting against?" Steve tilted his head, considering, and said, "Perhaps they are overlooked in many historical accounts, but I'd be interested to hear how you think discussing them more would improve America's system of government."

Re: Discussion Time

[bamf-tastic.livejournal.com]

Kurt scratched his head. "They were on the British side, really? Oh. Oops." He gave Steve a sheepish shrug. "It wouldn't improve anything, really. I just thought they ought to be mentioned, ja?"

Re: Discussion Time

[bitchy_smurf]

"In my 'home system of governance' I am the king," Illyria said, arms crossed, eyes flat and cold. "I am twenty feet tall, lances break against my skin, and my people fear and adore me. I lack suggestions for improvement."

Talk to the TAs

[screwyoumarvel]

Once they ping in.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[bitchprince]

Arthur was there, and a bit torn about his loyalties in a sort of metaphorical way. He wasn't actually British, after all. Or something. He was growing a little unclear on that.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[bloody-luck.livejournal.com]

Mat didn't feel particularly loyal towards Andor, no matter what the maps in Elayne's throne room said about where his homeland lay, and he was quite sure his suggestion of how she could improve her nation by showing up and taking the bloody crown from Rand would go over just as poorly this time as it had before, so he was there and looking a little vaguely interested.

He just fought the battles. He had no interest in running a nation.

Talk to the Teacher

[screwyoumarvel]

He is here, and in a good mood.

OOC

[screwyoumarvel]

This would have been up a couple of hours ago if SOMEONE hadn't linked to TVTropes in their class.

Re: OOC

[make-the-shot.livejournal.com]

SOMEONE is eeeeeevil.