CivilWar2

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Though there are many memorials and museums honoring the great events that define American history, a memorial for the American Civil War does not exist. America had just been born and was still establishing its government. Slavery and the issues related to it drove a wedge deep into the country. This war was the states’ first true test of strength. When America reunited, it became stronger and more tightly knit. Even though the country would be tested continuously, they knew they would be able to prevail. If they could shatter apart and still come back together, they could accomplish anything. Honoring the men and women who sacrificed much so that America could be the country it is today and showing as a country that their sacrifice is important. They deserve the utmost respect for what they did. The memorial will show recognize what happened while at the same time, represent the strength that grew from the separation.

The memorial walls will be made of black and white marble, to show that a mixture of both sides makes the structure stronger. Marble will also fit into the themes of the surrounding monuments, and marble will be able to withstand weather and temperature change effectively. They will stand about fifteen to twenty feet high, and they will measure approximately 5 feet wide. The flag will be made of thick cloth so that its weight keeps it relatively still. It will hang from a thick metal rod with a six inch diameter that is connected to both walls. It will be the modern flag, with fifty stars and 13 stripes. There will be an oak tree that grows in the middle of the two curved walls. Its base will be surrounded by 750,000 small pebbles, representative of the number of causalities from both sides of the war. They will be secured with cement so they will not be removed. A small golden plaque will be placed atop the stones, informing visitors of their significance. The pebbles will be small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. They will all be a pale grey. Everything will be touchable, except the flag, which will hang out of reach. The larger opening of the walls will face the bay area, trapping large amounts of sun, especially during sunsets and sunrises. Since the walls will be so tall, the area will echo a bit, provoking people to be silent and reflective. During the summer times, the tree will be fully bloomed, and will provide shade for visitors. There will be a small bench built into the inside of the walls for people to be seated. The bench will just be a perpendicular extension of the wall and will be made of the same material. There will be hired keepers to make sure the area is clean and maintained. The monument will be surrounded by a field where people will be able to picnic in or walk around.

There is no one event incorporated in to the monument. Most events that occurred during this war emphasize the division that occurred. This monument is made to honor America’s unity. There will be a quote from Abraham Lincoln that says, “A house divided” on one wall and “cannot stand” on the facing wall. This demonstrates the goal of the monument. The deaths of all the soldiers are represented as well because honoring the dead is respectful and important. They have no battle or side attached to them, however; it is just a representation of the dead in general. Though the walls are obviously separated, the American flag hanging at the smaller entrance will be hanging from a rod that connects the two walls. This is representative of the south rejoining the states and of a stronger America being created.

When people come to visit this memorial, as stated before, they will become quieter because the marble will create an echo within the area. This will help them to silently observe the monument and reflect on the war is represents. They will be able to touch everything within reach. They will most likely run their hands over the stones that represent the fallen soldiers. They will lean and touch the large oak tree as well. People will probably feel a little uncomfortable sitting on the bench, but if anyone feels the need to sit down the bench will be available. People will mostly walk around and observe the quote on the wall, maybe touch that as well. This monument is mostly supposed to provide a bit of reflection, and represent the unity of America. It is not meant to dwell in for hours. The monument will help connect people to history by making them feel enclosed within the history by the curve of the walls. It will also help them visualize the magnitude of the deaths that occurred in this war.

This monument will fit in well because it keeps the theme of marble and grandeur. Nearby are the FDR memorial and the Martin Luther King memorial. They are both large and feature marble structures as well. The FDR monument is frequented often, and the MLK one is new so it also has many visitors. This Civil War memorial will be nearby and easily accessible.

There are many potential backlashes that could come from this memorial. There were obviously two sides during the war, but both came from America. The conflicts that created the war still exist in some places of the US, and there are still people who are bitter about the loss in the South. Anger at quoting Lincoln is a predicted argument. It will just be ignored however, because Lincoln’s quote represents the idea of the structure well. Also the monument is located on a polo playing field, so persons who play on the field might become upset at the intrusion. Makers of the monument will help to resituate the field so that they still have the necessary area required to play. They will also build a station of sorts where they can store equipment and anything else they might need. The southern people who hate that they lost might be angered that a monument is being created. It could seem to them that the victory of the North is being honored, and their loss is being spotlighted as well. They will always be angry at this though. There is no actually representation of the North and South specifically, so there is nothing to truly be angry at. People might also get mad because the deaths of all the soldiers are generalized into a pile of stones. It is believed that this is the best representation of them however, because there is such a large number. Listing names is already taken, and the stones provide elegance and peace to the monument.

**List of Sources**

- "American Civil War ." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. <[]>.

- B., David. "American Civil War." The History Channel. 2 April 2012. Web. 27 Oct 2013. <[]>.

- Clinton, Catherine. Scholastic Encyclopedia of the Civil War. New York: Scholastic Reference, 1999. Print.

-Flagg, Norman. Abraham Lincoln, Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1908-1984), Vol. 10, No. 1 (Apr., 1917), pp. 123-126, Published by: [|University of Illinois Press] on behalf of the [|Illinois State Historical Society], <[] >

- Freehling, William W.  The Divided South, Democrac'ys Limitations, and the Causes of the Peculiarly North American Civil War. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. Print.

- "Important Battles of the Civil War." Georgia. 13 June 2009. Web. 27 Oct 2013. <[]>.

- J., Freer. "Time Line of the Civil War." Library of Congress: American memory. The Library of Congress, 15 January 2000. Web. 27 Oct 2013 <[]>.

- Kelly, Martin. "Top Five Causes of the Civil War." About.com American History. About.com, n.d. Web. 27 Oct 2013. <[]>.

- The Columbia Encyclopedia,. "Causes of the Civil War." US-Civil War. Columbia University Press, n.d. Web. 25 Oct 2013. <[]>.

- Vengeance and Justice: Crime and Punishment in the 19th-Century American South. Texas Christian University, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. < [] >.

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