Essay on "Battle of Yorktown and How it Is Commemorated"

Essay 4 pages (1249 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. As such, the battle ideologically signifies freedom, liberty, independence, and above all, victory against the Old World. As the decisive battle in the Revolutionary War, Yorktown symbolizes the creation of a new nation. In 1931, a postage stamp for two cents was issued to commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. The stamp was designed to "honor the French contribution" to the Revolutionary War (Farber). Moreover, paintings like the one depicted on the British Battles Web site also depict scenes from the war including the French white coats ("The Battle of Yorktown 1781" nd). British surrender scenes are also commonly presented in paintings to emphasize the American victory. A total of 8,800 Americans, 7,800 French and 6,000 British troops fought in that battle and the British officially surrendered on October 19, 1781 (Hickman nd; "The Battle of Yorktown 1781" nd). The battle lasted for less than one month but the effects have reverberated throughout American -- and indeed world -- history.

The "battle scarred landscape of Yorktown" is historically hallowed ground ("Colonial National Historical Park" 2010). Located on National Park Service land, the actual battlefield can be visited and toured with special guides. Colonial National Historical Park also comprises "the swampy marshes of Jamestown," which increases the symbolic power of the commemorative site ("Colonial National Historical Park" 2010). Jamestown represents the "Beginning of America," according to the National Park Service, because it is where "the successful English colonization of North America began," and also "where the first arrival of Africans to English North American was recorded in 1619," ("Historic Jamestowne" nd). Therefore, Jamestown and Yorktown are the bookends of the American colonial era. The American colonial period began with Jamestown and ended with Yorktown. Given the geographic proximity of these significant sites, it only makes sense that the National Park Service would combine the two into one historic park. Connecting Yorktown and Jamestown is the Colonial Parkway, which was completed in 1957 for the specific purpose of "unifying culturally distinct sites" including nearby Williamsberg ("Colonial Parkway" nd).

As the National Park Service states, "The victory secured independence for the United States and significantly changed the course of world history," ("Yorktown Battlefield" nd). Remembrance is achieved in part via the conceptual and geographic connection between Yorktown and Jamestown. The placement of both sites in one historic park allows visitors to comprehend the historical continuity between these events and also to contemplate what events took place between them. The aptly-named Colonial National Historical Park commemorates the meaning of colonialism in America and by extension, the meaning of colonialism worldwide. Visitors have the opportunity to contemplate the repercussions -- both good and bad -- of British colonial enterprises. Moreover, visiting the Colonial National Historical Park stimulates inquiry into the trajectory that the nation would take after independence. Blood was shed on the very ground of the park, and in 1781 bodies must have been strewn about its then-"scarred" landscape.

The Yorktown Battlefield offers a very direct and literal remembrance opportunity. Included in the park is a portion of the British Defenses, the seaport town of York which was founded in 1691, and an artillery demonstration. A Young Soldiers Program teaches kids about "life as a soldier during the American Revolution," ("Yorktown Battlefield" nd).

No mention is made on the National Park Service Web site about the French contribution to the war, which was honored on the postage stamp as well as in paintings of the Battle of Yorktown. Indeed, the French contribution to the Revolutionary cause cannot be underestimated. A French fleet arriving in Chesapeake Bay in 1771 had defeated the British Navy and would help the Americans secure victory in the… READ MORE

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