The National Mall

For my final blog post, I will be exploring Washington D.C’s National Mall in relation to the expression of power through its monuments and buildings. “Each year, millions of people visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks to recreate, to commemorate presidential legacies, to honor our nation's veterans, to make their voices heard, and to celebrate our nation's commitment to freedom and equality.” (http://www.nps.gov/nacc/index.htm) 

Map of the National Mall
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/walkingtours/Washington_DC_Walking_Tour/dctmap.html

Lincoln Memorial
http://www.worldtourist.us/nationalmall/memorial.html

The park celebrates the American identity while exuding a sense of power of the military and government of the United States. Many of the monuments and buildings in the National Mall are dedicated to former presidents, military generals and American soldiers, which reveal the importance of the military and government to the nation. The expression of power through architecture is most evidently shown in the Lincoln Memorial, which stands west of the National Mall. Focusing of the statue of Lincoln, which sits inside, this larger than life monument represents the immense power that a political figure, like former president Lincoln, holds over the country. The building includes 36 Doric style columns symbolizing the states in confederation at the time of Lincoln’s death. 

Lincoln Memorial
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/walkingtours/
Washington_DC_Walking_Tour/dct01.html

The Lincoln Memorial is a perfect representation of the expression of power through an architectural structure. It has been a host to many important national and historical events that have changed the course of American history, including Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream…” speech. The style, reminiscent of Roman architecture along with the massive statue of president Lincoln, represents a sense of grandeur and would overpower any onlooker. In conclusion, the Lincoln Memorial, like any of the other monuments and buildings in the National Mall, portrays a powerful sense idealized American identity through its historical significance and reference to political and military power.