Build Environment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Build Environment - Assignment Example Since there is no open space on both sides of the building, the structure can be insulated, steed aided, glass tinted with base insulators. Steel can be chosen for this building alongside timber and concrete work. Steel doesn't rust fast it is immune to creatures such as insects and termites, therefore, there less need for insecticides and pesticides. Steel is not combustible, and we can safely say that it is fireproof. Steel can withstand natural turbulence such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. It has much earthing protection from lightning strikes. There would be less fear of the load bearing in placing interior walls because steel allows greater design in flexibility. In modern structures, the combination of steel and timber is a good choice. Steel framed buildings with glass panels and wood or timber would make a good combination to the conditions sited. Light framed structures of aluminium, steel and large glass panels are to be considered in this structure. Insulating concrete with the use of foam forms filled with concrete and structural insulated, foam panels faced with oriented strand board or (a good alternative) fibre cement, can both be used, as well as light gauge steel framing and the more detailed heavy-gauge steel framing. Because of its location, brick and block construction could be an option. Large glass panels are best for the front and rear side of the structure. Natur ally stained wood panels or danarra plywood is a good material for the woodworks of the building. Wood is a light material and it adds beauty when properly set. Aside from the use of the building for hotel and office spaces the location is most likely to be very suitable for commercial purposes. The ground floor of the building can be converted into commercial spaces. The office spaces can occupy the second floor up to the 10th floor. The hotel rooms would be on the 11th floor and up. A fire escape is to be located at the both ends of the building aside from a stairs that is to be build inside the building. The design of the stairs is one that goes around the elevator which is to be situated in the middle of the building. The front and back of the building will be covered with large glass panels. A separate comfort room for the male and female users are to be installed in every storey of the building. In providing a development of Fire Management Strategy for the building, a step by step guide to follow is recommended to assist them to comply with the requirements of Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire safety strategy is neede d to give satisfaction to the functional requirement of the building. The fire safety measures must have the adequacy of means to prevent fire. There must be early warnings by automatic detection. The standard means of escape must be provided. There is also the provision for smoke control and control of rate of fire growth. The standard of active measures for fire extinguishment and control, the facilities to assist the fire service, training of staff in fire safety and fire routines, the continued control under other legislation to maintain and test fires safety measures and management of fire safety are considered. In understanding the nature of service installations from the builder's perspective, the importance of building services must be identified together with the methods used for fire protection. The (building regulations 2000), Approved Document B is the guidance on how to meet the

TMA02 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

TMA02 - Essay Example The propaganda of the Reformation started through Lucas Cranach also known as the Elder who is one of Martin Luther’s closest friends and also a publicist of some sort considering the era. He published a pamphlet with 26 woodcuts an illustrated Passional Christi and Antichristi that each had comments written by Philip Melanchton. It was an attack on the pope which identifies the pope as an Antichrist and contrasts it to the true Christ. It had since become a popular antipapal document which was reprinted a number of times with different editions. An example of this image depicts Christ driving out the greedy from the church on the left while on the right is an image of the Antichrist seated in a throne with opulent jewelry together with bishops and cardinals offering various extravagances for his desire (last name author year, pp. 18-19). It is one the Reformation’s greatest weapon that its main catalyst, Martin Luther, was adept in writing and communicating with the common people. Although he was already excommunicated in October of 1529, he still enjoyed freedom because of Frederick the Wise’s patronage. His pamphlets originally written in German allowed for his ideas to be expressed clearly to the readers while they are simultaneously being entertained. The lectures and sermons which he has authored became very popular and boundless in terms of societal status. He continued to preach and deliver sermons amidst all his works. Another action that the Reformists took which contributed to their success includes their use of the vernacular during their sermons for the people to better understand their ideas. These men were also defied authorities when some of them had a knack for translating the bible in their own languages. This was something unprecedented as the Latin form was the sole language of the r eligion. This is founded on their belief that their

Masculinity In Shakespeare

Masculinity In Shakespeare Masculinity used to be a political question in the times of early modern England. Such expressions as courage-masculine and manly virtue had some peculiar meanings and showed the duty and responsibility to the ideals and values of aggressive Protestantism. Diplomatics, compromise and other ways to settle the conflicts considered to be feminine. William Shakespeare had his own opinion about the militant-Protestant warship of brave masculinity and his view was quite skeptical. Presenting series of various portraits of the menacingly charismatic soldier-hero, Shakespeare made a turn to an unusual kind of leader at the later part of his career of a writer. If the protagonists of the warlike tragedies call up a Herculean model and prototype of manliness, The Tempest draws a portrait of a ruler who uses the arts of culture and civilization in order to return peace to a divided world. The new masculine characters are really developed and not similar to each other in many aspects, but there are strong features which stay common for them. There are several Shakespeares plays receiving close readings, those include Troilus, Cressida, Macbeth, Coriolanus and the plays I am going to investigate in the essay: Henry V, Hamlet and Othello. Masculinity is expressed by various protagonists in the plays. This trait embraces brave and courageous deeds and actions, fearless and undaunted decisions of characters full of fortitude and strength in different situations. Thus, play Hamlet (Shakespeare, Hamlet) reveals courageous character of Hamlet vivid for masculinity traits. The importance lies in the fact that this trait is leading in the decision-making process during the action, the absence of masculinity would change the way characters behaved. The author describes the era when manliness is crucial in peoples lives, it is a kind of a mover. Masculine characters are opposed to less manlike and coward weak features, like Iago in Othello and King Claudius in Hamlet. This contrasting opposition reveals masculinity of other heroes in a brighter way, allowing the audience to realize an overall characteristics of masculinity. Thus it can be supposed that different sides of masculinity (lofty and low-lying traits) not only shows brave characters but also serves as an educative element via influence on the audience with an aim to outline and form an idea of masculinity and its importance in the life. Beyond all doubt, Hamlet is masculine as he is ready to revenge for the murder of his father. But he is also hesitant in some way that appears as his inner conflict within the play. To be, or not to be: that is the question, says Hamlet (Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, scene 1) deciding whether to take vengeance on the King or not, though Hamlet defeats this fear in his mind and without any hesitation revenges for his father. The importance of masculinity in Othello is also crucial, as this trait forces the hero (Othello) to commit murder of his beloved wife. It is an interesting fact that this feature is characteristic not only of men but also of women in the plays. Thus Desdemona even after being wounded by her husband was near death but said that she wouldnt reveal the murder, as much she loved her husband. Thus, masculinity is highly important for unwinding of the action and revealing the protagonists way of lives, characters making the plays impressive, persuasive, and worthy of admiration real classic masterpieces in the world literature. Next I would like to compare and contrast in some way three protagonists of the plays: Henry V, Hamlet and Othello. In spite of the fact that a particular number of scenes also do focus on the other characters, Henry straightforwardly initiates almost all of the important actions in the plot, and he is obviously the works hero and protagonist. Another protagonist is Hamlet who has charmed readers and audiences for many years, and the first thing to say about this character is that Hamlet is very enigmatic. Always there is much more about him than all the other heroes of the play can realize. Even the most caring and intelligent readers finish the text with such a feeling that they havent learnt all there is to identify about this particular character. Hamlet notices to other characters that there is way more than the eye can meet for him. And same as Henri Hamlet is the one to initiate the dramatic actions of the story. While he talks, Hamlet sounds as if there was something really important he wouldnt say, probably something that even he himself is not conscious about. Truly the talent to write s uch monologues and dialogues which can create this effect is one of the writers most significant achievements. And Henry is an exceptional figure too; he also possesses not just a degree of intelligence but almost as much of charisma as Hamlet does. Perhaps Henry Vs most noticeable quality is his resolve and firmness: once that he has made a decision to complete a goal, he would use all the resources that are at his disposal in order to see that it is done. He heedfully presents himself as an insurmountable force to which others need actively to choose in what way to react. This strategy may seem morally doubtful on the one hand, but it is a strong masculine feature and really valuable psychological weapon that is used by Henry to suppress his enemies and make them doing that he needs. More and more, Henry acts in such a manner that would be lamentable for a usual citizen but that makes Henri look as an exemplary royalty. As an example, Henry often receives some criticism from the m odern readers for rejecting to take amenability for the war with France. Henri even says the French governor that if the French soldiers do not surrender, they will be answerable for the slaughter that he will then start. Othello is as firm as Henri, but Hamlet is absolutely different kind of hero. He is very philosophical and meditative. That is a new type of a male character created by Shakespeare. And it seems to me that Hamlet differs from Othello and Henri much more than any other of these three. He is drawn to puzzling matters or questions that are not able to get an answer with particular certainty. Hamlet becomes totally obsessed with the idea to prove his relatives fault before starting acting. He is also disturbed by questions about what happens to people after death, about the sense of suicide, about what bodies become after the soul leaves them, etc. But even in spite of the fact that Hamlet is full of thoughts to the degree of obsession, he still behaves impulsively. Wh en the protagonist acts, he does it with unexpected and sudden speed and very little or simply no forethought (when he kills Polonius through the curtain with his sword without taking a short look who was there. It seems important to me, that Hamlet is very melancholy and dissatisfied with many things in his life, such as state of Denmark and the situation in Hamlets own family. Coming back to Henri V, one more outstanding quality that he has is his freedom with language usage. Henrys rhetorical skill seems a very powerful weapon, the force of which is almost the same as his armys power. With his speech, Henry can inspire his followers, terrorize his opponents, and persuade almost any person who listens to him. With Henrys words, William Shakespeare establishes rhetoric which is, just like Henry, at the same time openly frank and very experienced and sophisticated. Othello is of course also able to captivate others with his conversation. The dukes reply to Othellos speech about how he was seeking marriage with Desdemona by using his tales of adventure is: I think this tale would win my daughter too. Othello occasionally presents himself as an outsider and foreigner, may be because he realizes his exotic attractiveness or because he is defensive about his distinction from other citizens of the city. For instance, in spite of his evident oratory in Act I, scen e iii, he does still protest: Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace (Shakespeare , Othello 24). Although Othello never behaves as a rude person and never speaks like that, he still allows his elocution to decrease because he gets more and more under the influence of Iagos intrigues. Before the final part of the play, Othello recovers his presence of mind and then captivates both the characters and audience with his strong speech. And I have already mentioned above that Hamlet is a great speaker too just as other two characters. Henry has another very interesting quality for a king: the capability to seem honestly while manipulating the listeners and partners in the conversation. This feature wasnt respected as others before, as it is a quality of a wise diplomat, not a quality of a warrior though. Shakespeare does not give a direct comment on Henrys reasons for invading France, but we may see easily from the kings speeches the weight of his responsibility, so the reader can make a conclusion, that Henry is not moved by the lust for more power or money. Henry simply takes his position in life as a king really seriously, and he has dedicated himself to the fulfilling of those duties of his noble rank. It is seen clearly from Henrys nationalistic speeches that the author has an intention for the audience to see Henry V as a real national hero, or as a great and estimable king as minimum. So as the king is a hero, he is made such a person by his devotion to his duties that seemed above own private emotions for him. Together with his ability of resolution, the adherence makes Henri the emperor he is; in spite of the fact that it sometimes produces very questionable private settlements, it also helps to mitigate the effect of those decisions in our eyes. The same words may also apply to Othello, as his personal decisions were wrong too he murdered his own wife but really his commitment to his principles was much more important for him than his own feelings. As for Hamlet, it looks to me that personal feelings are much more important for him, he is jealous about his mother, misses his father and some of his actions really bring more danger to the country, so I think that duty was less of importance for him in comparison to the other two male characters. Now Id like to pay more attention to Othello, who himself is an embodiment of generous, courageous military leader, beloved husband in a combination with blind deep trustfulness and naivety in his attitude to his friends. These main features are truly masculine and in some way he even can be referred as an ideal man. But his foolish trust makes him do absurd things, crying, giving oath of revenge. Trustfulness is a comic element as such character is weird for the reader. The fact that Othello may be looked at as a comic character sometimes makes him different from Hamlet and Henri, who always look serious to the audience. It is surprising that such a strong-willed, courageous Othello can trust and believe as sincere as a child. Behaving sometimes as a child may be really called one of very masculine features of character, as playing games always stays in male souls deeply in heart. There is a saying that Man is a child by his nature. Open-heartedness and ingenuousness are rare features that in the play lead to tragic consequences a murder. Othello believes Iago unconditionally and after the fight of Cassio and Rodrigo he clarifies details of a fight from an honest Iago (Shakespeare, Othello 45). Othello is confirmed in positive and good-natured character of Iago thus removes Cassio from the post. Every hero in the play believes Iago this contributes to the comic of the drama both Desdemona and Cassio are touched by an advice of kind Iago who is sincerely express sympathy to the bad luck of others. Tragic events in the play are developing impetuously, but comic foolishness and trustfulness make contrast with tragic elements creating an authentic picture of human life when any dramatic event is not devoid of comic features and irony. Iago makes Othello jealous and he cannot resist suspicion, he is immersed in his misery but still blindly believes only Iago who masterly shows insulted honesty, and as a friendly a dvisor, he convinces Othello in unfaithfulness of Desdemona and Othello gives an oath to revenge on the knees. Iago directs behavior of Othello and even makes him faint, convince that his wife is of a frivolous character. Here I want to say that Henri and Hamlet have nothing comic in their characters and stories of lives, especially Hamlet who is a truly tragic in all the situations. In spite of the fact that Othello is seen as a cultural and national outsider in Venice, his authority as a soldier and leader is notwithstanding very valuable and important to the country, and he is an inalienable part of Venetian society. He is in very needed by the duke and other representatives of the government, as an evidence there is Cassios remark that the senate sent about three several quests (Shakespeare, Othello 123) in order to look for Othello. The Venetian senate has enough of confidence about Othello to give him a position of a full war and political commander of Cyprus. This quality may be considered as a classic masculine one and we can make a parallel with Othello here, but talking about Hamlet we definitely see some difference. Hamlet is more of a philosopher and he needs time to make his own decision either to be or not to be. In my opinion it is prominent that the prince and heir who is aware of Denmarks problems can think about those only in individual and phi losophical terms. He doesnt spend much time thinking about the dangers of national security or the threatening to its steadiness from inside (in spite of the fact that some of those were helped to be created by his own indiscretion). On the other hand Othello owes such strong masculine qualities as generousity, courage of military leader and strong soldier, being a great husband. But trustfulness and naivety are the two qualities which may put Othello aside from Hamlet and Henri V. Masculinity plays an important role in Shakespeares plays Henry V, Othello and Hamlet. Masculinity is highly important for unwinding of the action, characters making the plays impressive, persuasive, and worthy of admiration. There can be seen an educative element via influence on the audience with an aim to form the modern concept of masculinity. I have noticed that all three characterized protagonists own great rhetoric talents, are very developed, have a deep sense of honor and duty. Some of personal traits may differ, such as open-heartedness, ingenuousness, decisiveness, philosophical understanding of the world. That creates a new type of masculine heroes, who are not as flat as some of their predecessors. They are really developed and granted with deep inside worlds by the talent of a great English dramatist.

Alcatraz Essay -- essays research papers

As the cold waters rush into the San Francisco Bay, they crash up against an island standing in the strait. This rock is hidden by the fog and isolated by the chilling waters of the Pacific that flow in and out every day. It has a gloom that hangs about its rocky face most know it as Alcatraz but the men who experienced this island, referred to her as â€Å"The Rock†. To the men confined there, it is not only the ultimate in isolation but the most ironic because they are there in the midst of the activity of a busy harbor with small craft darting to and from San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Richmond, and Sausalito; within sound of the honking horns of a ceaseless procession of automobiles crossing the bridges; within sight of ocean liners as they glide through the Golden Gate to far away ports in the vast Pacific, and within sight and sound of air clippers and their buzzing motors, all reminding them that life is near but freedom is so far. James A. Johnston Alcatra z was the dreaded prison of all criminals. This penitentiary was a sign of long term confinement and isolation. The island has gone through many changes in its time, from serving as a military fort in the mid 1850s, as a military prison in the early 1900s, as a national prison in the mid 1900s and, as it is today, serving as a national museum and park. The military took this island as a fort in 1909 and construction of a concrete cellblock was started on the uppermost plateau of the island. It was used as a military prison during these years. However, it soon became over crowded and three years later construction of the new cell house took place. Once completed, the inmates were moved into this cellhouse which had spacious cells, and more importantly, central heating. In addition, a well-equipped medical facility was now available onsite, thus eliminating the need to transfer sick, yet dangerous, inmates off the island for care in hospitals on the main land. Life on Alcatraz, popularly named as â€Å"The Rock†, was not easy for the inmates. During the early years on Alcatraz, incarceration meant hard labor on the grounds of the island. However, by the mid 20’s, rumors began to circulate about the country of unspeakable conditions the inmates had to endure on the island. Outcry from the public persisted, forcing the military to make a decision. Faced with the expense of operating the island an... .... The salt water from the bay had taken its toll on the prison. The concrete in the cellhouses and other buildings absorbed much of the salt from the air and were quickly disintegrating. This is why it was so easy for this last escape to take place. It was estimated that it would take close to 5 million dollars to repair Alcatraz. That was a cost that the government was not willing to spend. The operating costs of Alcatraz were also looked over. The cost of shipping food and other supplies to the island was becoming more expensive and it was found that it was no longer cost efficient to keep â€Å"The Rock† in use. In 1963 Alcatraz was closed down by the decision of Robert F. Kennedy. Despite the closing of Alcatraz as a prison, there is still activity among these rocks. This island, formerly a place of solitude and desolation, now serves as a National Park and museum. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was established in 1972 and Alcatraz was included as one of these parks. Over one million people visit â€Å"The Rock† each year, including tourists from around the globe. The island of Alcatraz has become one of the most popular attractions in the Bay Area and its stories live on.

History 202, United States History from 1865 to the Present

The Building of a New Nation Following the Civil War, the United States was a country that had experienced great loss and had gone to great lengths to either maintain or abolish slavery. As a nation, they were given the difficult task of repairing the damaged country as a whole, but especially the south and its economy. Their job was to not only to restore the country, but to modernize it and make it stronger compared to other nations. The task presented to the United States, its president, and its government as a whole was one that probably seemed impossible, but it would only prove to be difficult, not so much impossible.The United States faced many challenges after the end of the Civil War. Few of which include the assassination of Lincoln, rebuilding the destroyed southern economy, the federal government’s role in helping the 4 million freed African Americans, how to treat the former states of the Confederacy, and conflict over which branch of government should decide on h ow to reconstruct the south. Reconstruction is the process of readmitting Confederate states to the Union, rebuilding the south, and granting or protecting the citizenship rights of African Americans.Before Lincoln was assassinated, his plan for reconstruction was to make it simple for the south. He believed the southern states did not technically secede because no state could leave the Union, and also that secession was the fault of a disloyal minority in the South. President Johnson clashed with Republicans over reconstructing the Union and liberating African American slaves. With the disfranchisement of all former Confederate leaders, office holders, and Confederates with over $20,000 in taxable property, Johnson kept Lincoln’s plan’s power to grant individual pardons to southerners.By the summer of 1865 all seven of the remaining Confederate states met Johnson’s reconstruction requirements, but none of the constitutions extended voting rights to African Amer icans. By the fall of 1865 Johnson had granted 13,000 pardons to many former Confederate leaders. Many debates arose due to southern governments under presidential reconstruction limiting the rights of African Americans. Southern state legislatures passed â€Å"black codes† to limit the rights of African Americans, which prohibited blacks from testifying in court, renting land, or borrowing money to buy land.Work contracts also forced freedmen to work cotton fields under conditions similar to slavery. Black codes combined with Johnson’s reconstruction plan widened the rift between Johnson and Republicans in Congress. What resulted from this and the fact that Republicans were unhappy with Johnson’s â€Å"soft† treatment of the south, was Congressional Reconstruction. Congressional Reconstruction was meant to be harsher on southern states and more protective of African American rights. In 1867, the south was under military rule, and each state had to write a new constitution fulfilling Congressional requirements and elect new state governments.The Freedmen’s Bureau was created by Congress in March 1865. It was the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, and it acted as a type of early welfare agency providing food, shelter, and medical aid for blacks and whites in need after the Civil War. Originally it had the authority to resettle freedmen on confiscated Confederate land, but the resettlement power was removed when President Johnson pardoned Confederate land owners and the courts restored the lands to their original owners.The Freedmen’s Bureau’s greatest success was in education. It established 3,000 schools for African Americans, established black colleges, and taught an estimated 200,000 African Americans to read. The Amnesty Act of 1872 removed restrictions on ex-confederates and allowed Democrats to retake control of state legislatures. By 1876 Congress had removed federal troops from all but thr ee states: South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana, and Democrats returned to power in all southern states but those three.Republican governments in the south made many adjustments during reconstruction such as universal male suffrage, property rights for women, internal improvements, and state supported public school systems, hospitals, and asylums for the care of the handicapped. The end of Reconstruction meant the beginning of intense discrimination against African Americans in the south. The Gilded Age was a time of dramatic transformation in the nation, and African Americans were seen as an inferior race during the Gilded Age. The only active organization for the blacks was the NAACP founded by W. E. B.Du Bois and others in 1910. It wasn't until the 1950s that the civil rights movement started in earnest to bring the rights of the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments to the U. S. Constitution passed shortly after the Civil War during Reconstruction that said blacks w ere free, made citizens, and given the right to vote. Some people would say that although American society was advancing after the Civil War, many problems were not resolved beneath the surface. It’s true, the overall level of richness and power of the country was increasing for example, but so was the level of poverty.Not to mention the struggle to find legal rights to defend the individual was often made difficult. Big companies and powerful writers and politicians were able to defend the ‘American dream' even while others were suffering, losing their rights, or being exploited in the workplace. The political history of the Gilded Age is usually reduced to a tale of corruption and scandal, and indeed there were plenty of both to go around at all levels of public life. This was the age where income inequality was an increasingly pressing issue in the Unites States and around the world.The United States was experiencing a widespread of economic growth, due to the expans ion of railroads, factories, and mines, which lead the nation in industrialization. Most big businesses supported the Republican Party and they favored monopolies, trusts, and the spoils system. Farmers created a movement called Populism, and supported increased money supply using silver. The population of post-Civil War America boomed with a new tide of immigration. This made The U. S. the third most populous nation in the Western world after Russia and France.While farmers struggled and barely maintained their numbers, business and industry boomed with America’s increasing demand for goods and services. The Gilded Age saw the United States shift from an agricultural to an urban, industrial society, as millions of Americans flocked to cities in the post–Civil War era. Even though there was much corruption people were supposed to believe that with enough willpower and determination, anyone could be a success, even become wealthy, if they just tried to fit in. However, this was not really possible.It is crazy how someone could believe that they could become successful just by trying to ‘fit in,’ yet everyone was expected to ‘buy’ the story of the golden American dream anyway. Concern with gold was certainly heightened by U. S. money being minted in scarce gold coins. In addition, gilding, in the sense of gold plating, is often done to make objects beautiful that must also be strong and durable, because gold itself is a soft metal. This might reflect an American sentiment of that era that their efforts toward culture and refinement were just a veneer over a strong but coarse base.In the 1800s America was a second-rate power. Most Americans who looked overseas were interested in expanded trade, not territorial possessions. In 1893, the depression that heightened the belief that a more aggressive foreign policy was necessary to stimulate American exports began. At the time, Cuba had been fighting for independence since 1868, and the United States intervened and went to war with Spain to gain Cuba’s liberty and freedom. This resulted in The Splendid Little War. The most highly publicized land battle of the war took place at San Juan Hill, outside Cuba.This is where Teddy Roosevelt charged up the hill with his fleet known as the Rough Riders, only to find a black regiment had already preceded them. In the treaty with Spain ending the war, the United States acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific island of Guam. America’s interest in its new possessions had more to do with trade than gaining wealth from natural resources or large-scale American settlement. Many believed that American participation in the destruction of Spanish rule would lead to social reform and political self-government.The American rule of more territory also brought with it American racial attitudes. America’s triumphant entry into the ranks of imperial powers sparked an intense debate over the rela tionship among political democracy, race, and American citizenship. The Foraker Act of 1900 declared Puerto Rico an â€Å"insular territory,† different from previous territories in the West. Americans spread racial views to new colonial possessions and embraced the idea of the white man’s burden paternalism while other nations influenced by U. S. attitudes and policies The cost of the Spanish American War was 6. billion, but the growing economy gained also, a permanent lease on naval stations in Cuba, including what is now Guantanamo Bay. America’s interest in its new possessions had more to do with trade than from gaining wealth from natural resources or large scale American settlement. The Philippine War cost the lives of well more than 100,000 Filipino’s and 4,200 Americans. The aftermath allowed for the expansion of railroads, harbors, brought in school teachers, public health officials, and sought to modernize agriculture. The Progressive Era in Amer ican history was a time of great change and reform in the United States.It was marked by a series of political and social reforms aimed at problems that arose as a consequence of urban growth and the Industrial Revolution. Activism, new federal laws, and a series of constitutional amendments marked this era of change. There were many problems during the Progressive Era. They included poverty and unsanitary slums in American cities, poor working conditions including child labor in factories, corporate trusts that eliminated competition and raised prices with impunity, discrimination against women and ethnic minorities, and corruption in the so-called urban political machines.During the Progressive Era, women and African-Americans were effectively barred from political participation. In addition, African-Americans in the South were subjected to mandatory segregation and â€Å"Jim Crow† laws. Susan B. Anthony led the movement for women's suffrage, which resulted in the 1920 rati fication of the nineteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, which extended voting rights to women. Labor unions grew in opposition to unfair labor practices and dangerous working conditions in American factories. Journalists began writing stories about unsanitary meat packing facilities.In result, â€Å"The Jungle,† an expose of America's meat-packing factories written by Upton Sinclair, intended to generate public sympathy for America's working class; instead, the attention focused on the safety of meat. Congress later passed food-and-drug safety legislation. In addition to the various reform laws passed by Congress during the Progressive Era, this period of history saw the ratification of four constitutional amendments: the sixteenth, the seventeenth, the eighteenth, and the nineteenth. The sixteenth authorized a graduated income tax to fund government operations, and the seventeenth provided for direct election of Senators.The eighteenth amendment banned the sale and i mportation of alcohol, and the nineteenth amendment extended voting rights to women. The eighteenth amendment failed because prohibition fueled the rise of organized crime and had little public support as time passed. It was repealed in 1933. The Progressive Era included other reforms as well. The U. S. government exercised greater control over the banking system through the creation of the Federal Reserve System. After multiple wars, conflicts, and controversies, the United States is well on its way to becoming and advanced and industrialized new world.The Progressive Movement was an effort to cure many of the ills of American society that had developed during the great spurt of industrial growth in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Although not all individuals were equal, it is still not even that way today, but what mattered was that there were improvements being made. African Americans were no longer enslaved, and were free to start their own business, open their own s chools and churches, and educate themselves; something that would have been unheard of just forty years ago.The nation had also grown tremendously in the aspect of modernization and industrialization. New factories were popping up along with coal mines, and railroads were being built all across the country to transport goods and create national brands. A downfall to this was that the rich were becoming richer, and the poor were becoming poorer. The nation was also making itself stronger by acquiring more territory such as, Guam, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Not to mention gaining permanent naval stations in Cuba. As a whole, the United States grew quickly and prospered tremendously, regardless of their rocky start.

Michael Jordan & Basketball

When someone says the name Michael Jordan, the first thing that comes to mind is basketball, The Chicago Bulls and Nike shoes. Through the years, Michael Jordan has proved time and time again that he is the greatest basketball player ever, and by performing in this rapidly expanding sporting field, he has gained tremendous popularity throughout the world. People of all ages and from all nationalities have gathered to watch him play. A journalist states ‘even your Aunt Matilda might not know nothing about basketball, liked watching him play† (Jonathon 1999:58). Jordan has become more than just an entertainer. He is a hero and a role model amongst basketball spectators. Johnson claims that ‘he is the most famous American in the world† (ibid.). Perhaps he was born to be the best. Even though he is a star, Michael†s childhood had been very distressing. In fact, Michael Jordan was nearly miscarried by his mother. His nose bled from birth till he was five, he nearly suffocated when he fell behind the bed as a baby and nearly killed himself when an electrocution threw him three feet. In Jordan†s own words, he exclaims I mean my girlfriend got swept in a flood and drowned when we were in college. Another time, I was swimming with a friend when both of us got pulled into the ocean by a strong undertow. I was able to get free and make it back to land. He never made it back (Jordan 1998:96). Additionally, after going through so many traumatic and distressing times, not many people would have been able to live their dreams. But Jordan performed the task of living his dream exceptionally well. Despite a somewhat desperate childhood, Michael Jordan enjoyed his time at school. He did his first years of schooling at D.C. Virgo Junior High School and later graduated to Lanley High School where he began practicing intensively on his basketball skills. He was accepted in the University of North Carolina through a basketball scholarship. At the university, Michael took on the challenge of driving his teammates to a level of performance that they might never have achieved on their own. He scored the winning basket in the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship game in 1982. A sportswriter describes ‘the relentlessness with which Michael Jordan prodded and cajoled the other players in leading them to championship season after championship season† (Lazenby 1996:37). The glorious moments achieved by Michael Jordan were soon vaporised by a permanent shadow. In 1993, an agonising incident shattered Jordan†s excitement after winning his third championship. Moments after the game, Michael†s father, James Jordan, was brutally murdered by two ruthless teenagers. This was a severe tragedy in Michael†s life; his father was gone. For this reason, Michael decided to retire from Basketball and play Baseball in memory of his father. This was because James Jordan adored Baseball (Jordan 1998:112). He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, but was unsuccessful (Encarta 1999). Hence Jordan returned to his favorable professional sport of basketball. Allison exclaims ‘at a press conference, Michael only said two words, I†m back!† (Samuels 1999). The ball started to roll again. But the anxiety of the spectators only lasted till the end of 1997. By far, the Chicago Bulls had been hit the hardest with the news of Jordan†s retirement. The breakup arose when the management refused to pay Phil Jackson, coach of the Chicago Bulls, what he deserved after bringing six NBA championships to the Bulls. When Jackson abandoned the team, Jordan refused to play for a new coach. After Jordan officially announced his retirement, basketball great, Scottie Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets. Only four players of the previous year†s team still remained on the Chicago Bulls. Stein considers ‘many have made the prediction that the bulls will lose mare games in this shortened season than they did all last year† (Stein 1999). The die-hard Chicago Bulls fans will always hold a special place in their heart for Michael Jordan. They will tell their sons and daughters about him, they will get out the old VHS tapes of games that they have recorded and they will pass along basketball cards that will be worth hundreds of dollars. Those of us who have seen him play will always remember him and what he has done for the game of basketball. For those who haven†t will have to settle for the endless highlight reels and Nike commercials to keep his memory alive.