The Monuments Men: What It Means To Our Collective Culture

The United States of America is known for its diversity in ethnicity and culture. It was created by the surge of immigration which began at the point when the new world was first discovered, to its peak when the United States was a new country. This surge was driven by the promise of a new beginning, and for the hope that things could become better. The Statue of Liberty became known as the mother of exiles as it became a symbolic representation of the promise of America. The statue gave new arrivals the hope that things would get better, the promise for a fresh start and a better life. The hope, the new beginning, and the ideas the Statue of Liberty represented is the definition of the promise of America.

From Trajan’s Column, completed in 113 AD, to the statue of Christopher Columbus in Easton, Pennsylvania, monuments and memorials have been a significant element of celebration and honor throughout history (Source B). Though monuments are typically meant as a symbol of honor, recent controversy over statues dedicated to Confederate leaders and generals has sparked the debate over how to choose subjects to memorialize, and the actual development of these memorials. When considering what or who to honor, one must also consider the subjects impact on history, ensuring that it is positive. In creating memorials and monuments, groups and agencies should examine the historical significance of the events or persons they wish to memorialize, and the

The purpose of many monuments is to honor and protect the legacy of some of America's greatest heroes. Kirk Savage in the book Monument

Monuments are important in keeping history in the present. The viewer experiences the emotions and actions in that specific part of time. Some monuments have awkward locations or the people chosen are unsuitable to represent the time. Any group or agency must consider who the person is and where the monument’s location should be before publically displaying it.

The Monument Men of World War 2 thought of ingenious ways to save and preserve the art work, for instance they buried some rare books and art in a metal box in the ground. Even more amazing they saved the roof of the Sistine Chapel from a bombing run. First they took the roof down, and then they started to put scaffolding around it. Then they put rebar up, and then they poured the cement in, it created a concrete casing. Without them we wouldn’t have the Sistine chapel’s roof.

Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel is the story of the heroes of the MFAA (Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives department) during World War II. The MFAA was established in 1943, and the members of this department traveled across the front lines finding, saving, and preserving art and other artifacts of cultural significance. The story focuses on ten main characters who were apart of the MFAA: Maj. Ronald Edmund Balfour, Pvt. Harry Ettlinger, Cpt. Walker Hancock, Cpt. Walter “Hutch” Huchthausen, Jacques Jaujard (director of French National Museums), Pfc. Lincoln Kirstein, Cpt. Robert Posey, 2Lt. James J. Rorimer, Lt. George Stout, and French spy Rose Valland. The book recounts the true story of their journey in the European Theater on the greatest treasure hunt in history.

For years, national monuments have marked historically or scientifically important locations throughout America. Until 1906, however, the land and areas protected today were not, and could have been destroyed by industrialization. However, that changed with the Antiquities Act. “...since 1906, when Teddy Roosevelt first used the Antiquities Act to protect a monolithic rock in Wyoming...he ultimately declared 18 national monuments, which legally must contain objects of “historic or scientific” interest” (Steinmetz). This act has allowed the creation of national monuments, and these places were treasured.

Christopher Columbus, a well-known name, he has a monument in his honor. This is made to memorialize him and his voyage to the Americans. What else is there to consider when creating a monument? Obviously just any person or situation cannot have a monument, this would make them meaningless and too common. Monuments are to memorialize, remember great or not-so great times in the world. There are three main pieces of thought that have to be put in before creating a monument.

Army staff found them to be powerful messages of why it was necessary for the U.S. to fight in the war. The series is widely considered a masterpiece of war documentaries and won its own Academy Award in 1942 for best documentary feature.

Just like in the essay “Z: The Movie That Changed My Life,” by Erdrich. Erdrich states that a movie was here first look at the world. “As it turned out, it was my first view of the world” (111

The film premiered in May of 1986, a critical period in American history due to the Cold War between the United States and Russia. In the past, The United States government had set up offices in Hollywood to “advise” Hollywood producers that they could not and should not produce films that were about anything related to the Cold War. Although this was not a law, producers often did abide by the rules and for the most part listened to the suggestions of the government. Some could argue that this was a form of censorship because it regulated what movies could be about. However, in actuality, producers had free choice to produce movies in whatever genera they wanted, and whatever topics they wanted.

The film Hidden Figures made an impact and was endearing across different audiences, since it was able to use the topic that is not that interesting in general science and math and spin it into an interesting narrative with historical

It all started with some passionate people in the United States who were worried about the cultural loss in Europe. The American Defense - Harvard Group began working with the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) to devise plans for protecting cultural property in Europe. National Gallery of Art (NGA) Director, David Finely, and Chief Justice and Gallery Chairman, Harlan F. Stone, became the group’s spokesmen in Washington. In December 1942, Stone took the group’s proposition to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt created the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Artistic and Historic Monuments in Europe. Later, the Commission’s scope was expanded to include all war areas. Owen J. Roberts was appointed as chairman, and the Commission became known as the Roberts Commission. In the group’s early days, it sought to formalize the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) program within the War Department. The group recommended would-be Monument Men, or members of the MFAA program. The Roberts Commission also told military strategists of potential targets for Allied bombers that should be protected because of its cultural

This film follows the titular general during WWII. It begins, famously, with him giving a motivational speech to soldiers near the end of the war. For the most part, the movie takes place before this speech, as viewers watch Patton campaign in North Africa, Sicily and finally Europe. Moviegoers don’t only see Patton on the battlefield or giving speeches, but in private moments with aides and superiors that give insight into this controversial figure.

injustices and issues in the United States. The film also incorporates the military life, military