Dbq Essay On Monument

Monuments are an effective tool in solidifying a person or event in the memory of a nation. Monuments are most effective when they are well designed and memorable. Some of the factors that should be considered when memorializing an event or a person in the creation of a monument include the location of the monument, and the cost of building and upkeep of the monument. Location is one of the most important factors to consider when creating a monument. If the location of the monument isn't perfect for a specific monument, that monument will not successfully capture what it is memorializing and will not become significant in the eyes of its viewers. There are many parts to consider when choosing the correct location, such as, the history of …show more content…
In South Dakota there are two monuments that stand out when considering location, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Both of these monuments, only miles apart, represent leaders whom were significant to their nation, the United States and the Sioux tribe. These monuments are important to their nation and are inspirational to young and old. However, the meaning of the monument changes when the history of this land is revealed. In document C, an excerpt from an online opinion article says Mount Rushmore, "a federal monument and national icon" is "close to graffiti," and Crazy Horse is "a solitary dream" that is presumed to "depict a proud man who was never captured in a photograph or drawn from life." The author of the article then continues on to say, "It was bad enough that white men drove the Sioux from the hills they still hold sacred; did they have to carve faces all over them too?", in order to explain the horrible choice of location given the history of the land. The author then addresses the monument of Crazy Horse was a way to fight back and make people remember the truth, however, the author also states that many of the Sioux believe "there were probably better ways to help the Indians than a big