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

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."