Battles That Changed (American) History, Second Period, 9-24

[screwyoumarvel]

"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. 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.