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The True History of Mount Rushmore
February 20, 2023
Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. The massive sculpture, carved into the side of a mountain, depicts the faces of four American Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. But the history of Mount Rushmore is much more complicated than just a simple tribute to four great leaders.
South Dakota historian Doane Robinson first proposed the idea for a monumental carving on Mount Rushmore in the 1920s. Robinson believed such a carving would attract tourists to the state and help boost the local economy. He contacted sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who was already famous for his work on the Stone Mountain Memorial in Georgia, and Borglum quickly became interested in the project.
However, the true history of Mount Rushmore is much more complex than just a simple economic venture. Borglum was a controversial figure who was deeply involved in the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organizations. He saw the carving of Mount Rushmore as an opportunity to promote his vision of American exceptionalism and white supremacy.
This vision was reflected in Borglum’s choice of Presidents to be depicted on the mountain. Borglum believed that Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln were the greatest Presidents in American history, and he saw them as symbols of American strength, power, and superiority. He believed
that these Presidents represented the best of America and that they should be honored with a monumental carving that would endure for generations.
However, this vision was not universally shared. Many Native American groups opposed the carving of Mount Rushmore, seeing it as an act of cultural imperialism that ignored the rich history and traditions of the region’s indigenous people. They argued that the mountain was sacred to their people and that the carving of the faces of four Presidents was a desecration of their spiritual heritage.
Despite these objections, the carving of Mount Rushmore went ahead, and it was completed in 1941. Today, Mount Rushmore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. But the true history of Mount Rushmore remains a subject of debate, with some seeing it as a tribute to American greatness and others viewing it as a symbol of cultural oppression and white supremacy.
In conclusion, Mount Rushmore is a complex and controversial landmark reflecting American history’s best and worst aspects. While some may see it as a tribute to American strength and power, it remains a reminder of the ongoing struggles over cultural identity and political power that have shaped the United States throughout its history