Importance Of West Point

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During the Civil War, a young nation was divided. Families were torn apart, brothers fighting brothers. There was no neutral ground. Everything was split, including the United States Military Academy. Previous classmates at West Point, bound together by principles and virtues would now face the inconceivable: fight each other in battle. The history of West Point leads back to the American Revolutionary War. West Point was a key fort on the west bank of the Hudson River. It was considered to be the most strategic location in America, but was sold away to the British by Benedict Arnold, a notorious traitor. However, the fort remained in American hands until the end. After the war, George Washington noticed the unprofessionalism and lack of discipline …show more content…

Therefore, character building at West Point was enforced with a strict code of honesty and disobedience would result in “demerits”. If any cadet received 200 demerits in one year, then he would be expelled. In one instance, Ulysses S. Grant received 8 demerits for not going to church. Also, George Armstrong Custer lost track of his demerits as he was thought of as the prankster. One day in Spanish class, Custer asked the teacher to translate “dismissed” in Spanish. The teacher complied and then Custer left the classroom. On the other hand, George McClellan received very few and Robert E. Lee received none as he was referred to as “The Marble Model”. (Civil War Journal: West Point Classmates-Civil War Enemies) Position in class on graduation was of the utmost …show more content…

Generals during the war had to put their rigorous training to use and implemented their tactics. West Point taught them character, honesty, and above all, they were Americans. There was a bond between cadets as it was an important factor that got them through the war. Even at Lee’s surrender, Grant did not mention unconditional surrender and even offered to bring Lee’s starving army food. This was thought of as a West Point gesture. All these factors can be traced back to what these men learned at West Point. Brothers in tradition, enemies on the battlefield, it was the West Pointers that ended the war and shaped the future of our

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