The Cause, Conflict, Tension and War Between the United States and the Soviet Union

The blockade of Berlin was one of the first major confrontations of the Cold War and the Western victory set the stage for the rest of the conflict. The Berlin Airlift also was an incredible feat of military organization, which solidified post-war cooperation between the Allied powers. After the defeat of Germany in WWII, the three powerful allied powers, the US, Great Britain, and the USSR met at the Yalta conference to discuss how to rebuild a war-torn Europe, as well as prevent a third World War. The nations formulated a plan to split Germany into four zones, with the idea being that Germany could not be an aggressor in a WWIII when it was divided and supervised by so many different powers. A US zone, a British zone, a Russian zone, and a French zone were all established. The city of Berlin, though it was in the heart of the Russian zone, was also split between the four powers in much the same way as the rest of Germany. Complications arose, however, between the USSR and the three Western Powers within a few years of the agreement. There had been tension between the West and East since the Yalta Conference, and it came to a head when the US, France, and Britain declared they would institute a new currency in their zones, the Deutsche Mark. The three Western powers had met in London to decide how to deal with their zones, and established some principals for them.

The new Deutsche Mark, an idea of General Lucius Clay, the American military governor of Germany, would be fully associated with the Marshall Plan, tying the West German zones to the West, and allowing for West Germany to be rebuilt with money from the Marshall Plan.? The new currency would also allow easier economic coordination between the Western zones, and would put a stop to rampant inflation. The final point in the meeting was that troops would not be withdrawn from their respective zones until peace was assured.? While the Western powers helped their zones become prosperous and self-sufficient, the USSR nationalized as many factories and as much property as they could to increase Russian control of the East German economy, which resulted in poor East German economic growth. Because of this disparity of wealth between East and West German zones, when the three western powers decided to introduce the Deutsche Mark into their zones, the USSR claimed that the West was trying to highlight the failure of the East German economy, which was all part of a plan to eventually wrest East Germany from the USSR. Soon after denouncing the new currency and West German unity, Soviet troops closed all the roads and bridges which led into Berlin “for repairs.”

Days later, railroads were closed, all traffic into and out of the city was halted, and electricity was completely cut off to West Berlin. Food, coal, and American troop transports were all turned away from Berlin by armed Soviet soldiers. The date was June 24th, 1948, the beginning of the Berlin Blockade. In the Western nations as well as the USSR, Berlin was considered an extremely valuable city, because if one power controlled Berlin in its entirety, they could much more easily control all of Germany. Germany was so crucial because of its heavy industry, as well as its strategic location, between Western and Eastern Europe. Whichever side had control of Germany would be able to utilize German industry as well as have a buffer zone against the other power. Years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, documents were declassified which quoted Stalin, the head of the USSR at the time, talking to his German advisor, Ulbricht, about the Berlin Blockade, “Let’s make a joint effort – perhaps we can kick them out.’ Soon after blocking all traffic into and out of the city, eight Soviet troop divisions moved into the outskirts of Berlin. Most US generals wanted to pull out of the city, because their two divisions of American soldiers would be completely outnumbered by the Soviets, if war broke out.

Harry Truman, however, the president of the US at the time, was adamant about staying in Berlin, saying, “We are going to stay. Period.” No matter how stubborn Truman was about staying in Berlin, without supplies flowing into the city, Berliners and Allied troops would start to starve in a matter of days. It was impossible for the Western nations to get supplies to Berlin by land or water without being the aggressors in a war against the Soviets. The only passages to Berlin that the USSR had not blocked off were three 23-mile wide air corridors which had been established during the Yalta Conference. One led from the British zone to Berlin, one from the American zone, and one from the French zone. Although there was a way to supply the city through the air, providing enough food and coal for heating to almost 2,000,000 people was unheard of, and many were skeptical of the plan. The operation started extremely inefficiently, with an insufficient amount of planes that were too small. Additionally, after WWII, the US military had been severely reduced in size, so it took time to put veteran pilots back on active duty. There were two factors in particular, however, which made the success of the airlift doubtful. One was the severe weather. In winter, blizzards, as well as thick fog were commonplace and hindered the airlift.

The second factor was Soviet harassment. Though they did not wish to initiate WWIII, the Soviets did everything short of shooting down planes to try and deter the allied effort. There were 733 recorded incidences of harassment, including searchlights to blind the pilots, firing flak into their flight paths, flares and, radio interference. Between the inclement weather and Soviet harassment, 60 allied planes were destroyed. Despite overwhelming odds, eleven months into the airlift, codenamed Operation Vittles, over two million tons of food, had been delivered to Berlin. In addition to food, tons of coal, supplies, and even candy for children had to be brought in by air. However it wasn’t an immediate success, and changes had to be made throughout the operation for it to become more effective. Once retired planes and pilots could be called back into duty, only two types of planes used in WWII, B-47 and B-52 bombers, were used, which allowed the operation to become more streamlined.

In addition, the British Royal Air Force was originally operating independently, and it took time to convince the British to increase the efficiency of the airlift by putting their aircraft under the command of Major General William Tunner, an experienced American general. Tunner made it his goal to have as little turnaround time as possible between flights, and hired trucks to serve the pilots food instead of letting them go to the terminal and slow the process down. The Soviets eventually realized that with the airlift so fast and efficient, the Allies could continue it indefinitely. After 328 days, the Soviets finally ended the Berlin Blockade. 10 This was a great military and psychological victory for the Western powers. They had won the first major conflict of the Cold War.

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A Report on My Ideas of What an American Is and What It Means to Be an American

My English teacher and fellow peers will remain the audience of this essay. The readers are familiar with the topic “what is an American?’ They have read, analyzed, and discussed articles on “what is and American” with each other and the teacher. Readers may disagree with my thesis that Americans value rights and liberty and having the characteristics of being independent and being helpful. If the readers believe in other values and characteristics, then they will dispute my thesis. Those who also believe that Americans do not have rights may also fault with my thesis statement. In order to overcome the biases of the audience, I explain my ideas by providing examples and details to support my topic. By explaining my ideas and providing supportive details, I can overcome biases. I incorporate quotes and examples from life experiences and online helping sites to support my ideas. In order to persuade the readers to agree with my thesis, I argue my point deductively. I think this strategy will overcome the biases.

An American is not who you are but what you are about. Not where you come from, but who you came to be. How you live your life and contribute to this country. One who comes from all different parts of the world and speaks many languages (metaphorically.) An American is one who expresses freedom of speech, religion, press, petition of government, and to assemble. There are many important values, and characteristics of being American.

A positive value of being American would be the rights that ever man, woman, and child in America are granted and cannot be taken away. “This being the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) which has been added to the end of the constitution on December 15″, 1791” (Unknown, 1). The most important rights that are granted to Americans would be freedom of speech, press, religion, petition of government, and to assemble. Not all countries have rights just as Americans do, making it an important value to us. As being compared to England who is “a monarchy country unlike the U.S who are a republic; causing England to be ruled under a queen and America under a president” (William, 2). In addition, the freedom of religion is valuable to every one person in America. Whether they are Catholic, Hindu, or even Atheist. We as Americans have that special right to believe in anything we wish to believe in. This states that the citizens have great values toward rights.

Along the same lines, we also value liberty. “It is the state of being free. It only exists where government is limited” (Roberts, 1). Hence, the United States of America where the “government keeps out of our finances, homes, and business” (Harrison 1). Unlike other countries, for example, “Russians during the Soviet war, who were censored” (Unknown, 1). By having the governments keep out, it allows us to be a free country. Therefore making liberty an important value to citizen in the United States of America; even if certain Americans do not realize it now.

Furthermore, one of the most important characteristics of being an American is being independent. Americans are known to respect and value it. “From learning from our bitter lessons very quickly and thoroughly and on our own, we’ve become an independent nation” (Unknown, 1). When our nation is brought down by another country, we get back up on our feet with the help of our own people and become stronger. “For example, when 9/11 occurred, it was a very big downfall for America with a fatality number of 2,996 people” (Unknown, 1). Americans were outraged and turned their back on every Muslim out there. Once we knew this was wrong, we forgave moved on, and became a stronger nation and a more secure nation than before. It is past events like this that have made our country independent. In Addition, Americans are also known for helping nations who seek help. This characteristic of us is great to have because once we have helped a nation; they will willingly help us if we ask for a hand. For example, the South and North Korean war. South Korea seeked help to make North Korea non-communist with the help of America. Till this day, Americans are standing at the 38th parallel (division of South and North Korea) helping protect Southern Korea. Americans of the modern day contribute to their country and help those in need. Being American does not mean “being born in America” as many people may say. An American is one who comes or already lives in America and thrives for the best life any man or woman can ask for. Some of those Americans being Michael Phelps, who won many gold medals for his country, Bill Gates who took a step massive step in computer technology, Albert Einstein who took science to a new level, etc. An American is also granted rights, given liberty, and pursuits in life for the better of themselves and others. It’s our past experiences and observations that have molded America as it is today. As Americans, we understand that achieving the best in life requires risk. Thus explaining, “What is an American?”

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The History and Importance of the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is more than a landmark. She is a darling companion, a living image of flexibility to millions around the globe. These displays are a tribute to the general population who made her, to the individuals who fabricated and paid for her, to the beliefs she speaks to, and to the trusts she rouses. (‘The Statue of Liberty” 2016) In 1865, a French political insightful and abolitionist named Edouard de Laboulaye recommended that a statue addressing opportunity be worked for the United States. The historic point would regard the United States centennial of self-governance and the fraternity with France.

French stone specialist Auguste Bartholdi maintained Laboulaye’s idea and in 1870 began arranging the statue of “Opportunity Enlightening the World.” While Bartholdi was arranging the Statue, he moreover took a trip to the United States in 1871. In the midst of his journey, Bartholdi picked Bedloe’s Island as the site for the Statue. Regardless of the way that the island was little, it was unmistakable to every watercraft entering New York Harbor, which Bartholdi saw as the “entry to America.” In 1876, French artisans and specialists began building the Statue in France under Bartholdi’s heading. The arm holding the light was done and showed up at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

The head and shoulders were done in 1878 and appeared at the Paris Universal Exposition. (Berenson, 2012) The entire Statue was done and gathered in Paris some place around 1881 and 1884. In like manner, in 1884, improvement on the stage began in the United States. After the Statue was shown to Levi P Morton, the U.S. priest to France, on July 4, 1884 in Paris, it was taken apart and transported to the United States on board the French Navy ship, Isère. The Statue connected in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885, and was met with amazing ballyhoo.

Deplorably, the stage for the Statue was not yet complete and the entire structure was not reassembled on Bedloe’s Island until 1886. On October 28, 1886, the statue of “Opportunity Enlightening the World” was formally uncovered. The day’s wet and foggy atmosphere did not stop some person million New Yorkers from winding up cheering for The Statue of Liberty. Parades aground and sea respected the Statue while standards and music filled the air and the official duty happened underneath the goliath “shining with deluge.” When it was the perfect open door for Bartholdi to release the tricolor French flag that concealed Liberty’s face, a thunder of guns, screeches, and honor sounded. The Statue of Liberty Arrived at Bedloe’s Island June 19, 1885 These toes fit in with a surely understood American lady, be that as it may she wasn’t considered in America.

The Statue of Liberty arrived at its unending home on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor on June 19, 1885, as a gift of friendship from the all-inclusive community of France to the all-inclusive community of the United States. Stone carver Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi’s Liberty Enlightening the World measures 151 feet high and has come to symbolize opportunity and lion’s share rules framework the nation over. (Cole, 2014) Miss Liberty is made of copper sheets amassed on a structure of steel support. How did the enormous statue emigrate to America? The Statue of Liberty Arrived at Bedloe’s Island June 19, 1885 Keeping at the top of the priority list the final objective to transport the statue to America, the consider was disassembled alongside 350 pieces and stuffed in 214 compartments. Following four months, it was reassembled on Bedloe’s Island (renamed Liberty Island in 1956).

On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland gave the Statue of Liberty before countless. In any case, millions more would meet “Lady Liberty” in an unexpected way. The Statue of Liberty Arrived at Bedloe’s Island On June 19, 1885 at The neighboring Ellis Island Immigration Station, an essential social affair point for vagrants entering the United States, which opened in 1892. Preceding the station close in 1943, the Statue of Liberty welcomed more than 12 million pioneers to America. On its stage, words by essayist Emma Lazarus reflect the desire for adaptability and opportunity shared by the millions who see Miss Liberty after a long ocean wander.

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An Analysis of Gun Control as a Most Heated Issue in Congress

Due to the recent rise in gun violence, Gun Control has once again, become a most heated issue in Congress. In 1999 alone, there was Columbine (15 dead, 23 wounded), the Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth (eight dead, seven wounded), the North Valley Jewish Community Center near Los Angeles (five wounded), Atlanta (nine dead, 13 wounded), Honolulu (seven wounded), and Seattle (two dead, two wounded) (Birnbaum “Under the Gun” 34). These events have caused many American people to demand some type of action from the federal government. However, due to the intense competition between both political parties and the vast difference in opinions held by each side of the debate, little progress is being made. Today, passing any type of legislation on gun control is like trying to squeeze water out of a rock. Yes, Republicans and Democrats have been debating the issue for decades now and still each side believes as though their ideas regarding the issue are the solution to the nation’s so called problem of gun violence. According to recent polls, the majority of the American citizenry approve of stronger gun control.

Eighty one percent of the public see the availability of guns and the increase in the number of guns as the root cause of increasing gun violence in the nation (“Support”). After a six year old shot and killed Kayla Rolland at her school in Michigan, with a gun he had taken from his home, many ask, what measures might have kept the gun out of the hands of this child. Still others suggest that it is too soon to consider what went wrong in this situation. State Rep. Laura Baird concludes, “I know it is not too soon to consider these things. Instead, it’s about five days too late.” (Baird 11). Last summer a group of Democrats in the Michigan house worked a great deal on developing some sort of legislation to end gun violence in Michigan. The package they put together is called, “Safe kids-Responsible adults-Gun-Free zones”, named after the project’s three main goals.

Provisions of the three-bill package included measures to require gun dealers to provide trigger locks with the sale of each handgun and to hold adults civilly liable for failing to store a firearm responsibly if, under such a circumstance, a child were to access the gun and hurt someone with it. The adult would also be held responsible if a minor commits a crime with the adult’s gun. These provisions are known as child access prevention (or CAP) provisions and already 17 other states have passed these laws. As a result there has been a 23% decrease in accidental deaths of children from firearms (Baird 11). The Democratic position, as a whole, calls for more restrictive measures governing handgun regulation. Democrats want to have a gun show provision added to the gun control legislation. They believe that there should be a mandatory background check with any gun purchase, even those purchased at gun shows. The background check could last as long as three business days after the purchase of the firearm (Taylor A24). Democratic leaders also are looking to extend background checks on all gun purchases, private or regulated (Hyde 23).

President Clinton stated, “we need Congress to help us keep guns out of the wrong hands” (Schmitt, “Clinton” 22). Last fall, gun control advocates thought they had taken a step in the right direction in that the senate passed a Juvenile Crime Bill to increase gun control. This bill had many gun control provisions (Taylor A24). The bill provided for criminal background checks, outlawed importation of ammo clips larger than ten bullets, required child safety locks on all new handguns, and prohibited juveniles from obtaining assault weapons (Bottaway A1). However, the same Juvenile Crime Bill passed by the House had no gun show provisions included in it. The bill is being stalled in each house of congress because of the mandatory background checks (Taylor A24). Eric Schmitt of the New York Times wrote in his article, “Clinton Renews his Appeal on Gun Control”, “but these provisions as well as scores of others are imperiled because of major sticking points on gun shows” (22). In contrast, Republicans are in favor of less legislation promoting gun control and even have fought to have some legislation repealed.

They would like a clause to be added to the legislation that makes gun show purchases exempt from background checks; however, they are willing to deal with a 24 hour long background check (Schmitt “Clinton” 22). Republicans have consistently attacked the Crime Act, the Brady Act, and the Assault Weapons Ban. Although the Brady Act has already stopped 300,000 felons, fugitives, and stalkers from being able to purchase handguns, during the 104th Congress, the Republican Party has tried to have it repealed. They are now looking to pass juvenile crime legislation “which would neither require child-safety locks on all handguns nor prohibit adults convicted of violent crimes as juveniles from purchasing handguns (“DNC-Position Paper”). Not all Republicans, however, are taking this traditional view on gun control. New York Governor, George E.

Pataki, a Republican, recently proposed wide-ranging gun controls that would give New York the toughest gun restrictions in the nation. A requirement of trigger locks with new handguns and institution of a computerized system for tracing bullets to the guns that fired them are two provisions of the proposed gun controls. “The Republican majority in the State Senate has hesitated to embrace the governor’s proposals, as the Assembly’s Democratic majority has done, but legislators in both parties agree that it is all but certain that the Legislature will approve Mr. Pataki’s plan, or something close to it.” (Perez-Pena 1). Republican Presidential Candidate, George W. Bush, is another who has shifted gears on the issue of gun control. Although he has generally opposed gun curbs, last fall he announced a two year, $1.6 million program to improve prosecution of gun related crimes in his home state of Texas (Lelyveld 24A). He is also in favor of stronger enforcement of existing gun laws and would like to provide more funding for aggressive gun law enforcement programs such as Project Exile in Richmond, Virginia.

He supports requiring instant background checks at gun shows, the current ban on automatic weapons, and increasing the minimum age for possession of a handgun from 18 to 21. He also has stated that he would sign legislation for a requirement of mandatory trigger locks for all new handguns (http://www.georgewbush.com). The Democratic Party has recently pointed their finger at the National Rifle Association, stating that the lack of progress in gun control legislation is closely related to the bond between the association and the Republican Party. Patrick Leahy, a democrat from Vermont said, “congress would pass a bill only if the gun lobby tells Republican leadership it can” (Schmitt, “Clinton” 22). Democratic Presidential Candidate, Al Gore also accuses the NRA of being the reason for the lack of gun control legislation (Schmitt, “Gore” 28). With the total fund raising for the 2000 election expected to top three billion dollars, it is easy to see the influence of big money interest groups on Washington politics (Sun Journal 2A). The National Rifle Association is regarded as the world’s premiere provider of firearms education and one of the foremost defenders of Second Amendment rights.

“It long has advocated vigorous prosecution for crimes committed with firearms, but members believe there already are more than enough laws to prove that gun control does not stop criminal shootings. Founded in 1871, “to promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis”, the NRA educates the public by distributing dozens of pamphlets and books about firearm Safety (O’Meara 22). Despite the recent mass shootings, the NRA finds itself right where many of its leaders want it to be: “under attack”. (Dao 10A). The association is hauling in record amounts of political contributions, experiencing record growth in membership, and boasting about its strongest financial position in years. This just shows that the NRA’s defenders become more active and inspired when the right to bear arms is under assault.

“I’ve been through the good times and bad times,” says Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s executive vice president. “We’ve never been in a better position.” Day to day, the NRA is a force with few equals in Washington. “It is so feared on Capitol Hill that gun control measures don’t come up unless lawmakers are compelled by events to bring them up” (Birnbaum “Under the Gun” 34). The bottom line is that the NRA has been a massive force in Washington during recent time. They are one of the few lobbying groups that can deliver votes. They can be the difference in winning or losing elections and they are the reason the Republicans control the house (Birnbaum, “Follow the Money 57). This year, the NRA will have a budget surplus of about $5 million (Birnbaum “Under the Gun” 34). Last year, the NRA contributed more than $4 million to Congressional campaigns and spent an additional $1.5 million lobbying Congress. In October 1998, the NRA’s Political victory Fund spent more than $1.6 million for radio advertisements in 42 closely contested House and Senate races. Although the Senate approved gun-control measures in May of 1999, the vote still offered clear evidence of the NRA’s influence.

All of the top recipients of its campaign contributions over the previous five years voted against the restrictions, says a study by the Center for Responsive Politics (Dao 10A). The NRA is not the only player that influences legislation in Washington. The major opponent to the NRA, is Handgun Control, headed by Sarah Brady, wife of Jim Brady who was wounded in the 1981 assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan. Handgun Control is the nation’s largest citizen’s gun control lobbying organization with more than 400,000 members nationwide (www.handgunconrol.org). Although HCI does not seek to ban handguns totally, they work to enact stronger federal, state, and local gun control laws. They have increased their spending for lobbying by nearly $300,000 over the course of the last few months (O’Meara 23). Also, founded in 1983, about nine years after HCl was founded, the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence is the legal action, research and education affiliate of Handgun Control. They aim at building connections between law enforcement, educators, legal scholars, and public health officials, with hopes that these connections will stop gun violence (“Center”).

Founded in 1974, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence is another pro-gun control group. They aim to combat the growing gun violence problem in the United States. Their true goal is the orderly elimination of the private sale of handguns and assault weapons. With exceptions made for police, military, and gun clubs, CSGV seeks to ban handguns from manufacture, sale, and transfer by the general American public. CSGV supports limiting the availability of gun dealer licenses, increasing license fees, and more restrictive licensing and registering of gun owners. They hope to accomplish these steps to ending gun violence by engaging in a vigorous program of lobbying the United States Congress and state legislatures (“The Coalition”). The heated issue of gun control is torn in two by the two political parties in Congress. With interest groups pouring massive amounts of money into the elections and spending countless hours lobbying Congress to win the continuous debate across the nation, no clear end to the gun control issue is in sight. One longtime NRA supporter on Capitol Hill explained the future of the gun control debate: “We are engaged in a very long, very grim, very hard fought war. If we are successful, the gun control issue will be plaguing our kids and grandkids. If we aren’t successful, they won’t be dealing with it because we will have lost” (Birnbaum “Under the Gun” 34).

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History and Creativity of Oprah Winfrey

Oprah was born Orpah Gail Winfrey in Mississippi on January 29, 1954 to Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey. His parents divorced after her birth and left her grandmother to raise her. When Oprah was six years old, she was sent north to live with her mother in poor Milwaukee, and six years after that, she went to live with her father in Nashville, Tennessee, where she began performing on television, Tennessee, where she began giving talks at social gatherings. Oprah was once again forced again forced to return to Milwaukee with her mother and suffered years of sexual abuse.  thirteen she ran away from home and became pregnant the subsequent year.

Her son, Canaan, was born born premature and died shortly after birth. Oprah attended Lincoln High School until she was transferred to Nicolet High School, which was located in the rich suburbs of Milwaukee. She started stealing money from her mother and this caused violent arguments. Eventually her mother sent her back to Tennessee where her father helped turn her life around and reach her full academic potential. She became an honors student and won the Most Popular Girl award along with the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant.

She graduated high school with a full scholarship because of her excellent communication skills and went on the attend Tennessee State University which she graduated from in 1973 with a degree in Speech Communications and Performing Arts. In 1986, Oprah began hosting her wildly popular show The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show aired from September 8, 1986 to May 25, 2011. She has also appeared in several films including Selma, The Color Purple, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. In 2007 The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls was founded, which helps young women in South Africa develop leadership skills, six years later in 2013 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for her outstanding philanthropic work with young girls. Since becoming famous, she has wanted nothing more than to share her wealth with those in need and make the world a better and more peaceful place.

She has donated millions to various charities including: Oprah’s Angel Network, The American Red Cross, Women for Women International, and Project Cuddle. She also has her own personal charities, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network, which donated money for school supplies, school construction, and disaster relief. In the last several years Oprah has donated nearly 240 million dollars, and plans to donate more in the years to come. Today Oprah is continuing her focus on education for underprivileged African Americans, mainly young women in Africa. She is now the CEO of Harpo Productions, and the Oprah Winfrey Network. She’s a well renowned author and has received many awards for her work in philanthropy. In January 2018, she became the first black woman to receive the Golden Globes’ award for lifetime achievement, which is awarded to people who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. Oprah plans to continue her work an an author, and on television as well as her gracious work in philanthropy.

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Were the Actions of Andrew Carnegie Heroic

In the middle of the 1800s, immigration into the United States began to rise exponentially. People from all over the world came to America to start a new life and to become somebody. Andrew Carnegie, one of these numerous immigrants, grew from a poor bobbin boy into an extremely wealthy man, when he started investing in the steel industry. Carnegie’s multibillion dollar steel corporation made him the wealthiest man during that time period, and it took a lot of hard work and sacrifices-not necessarily from him—to make it big. Even though from Andrew Carnegie’s perspective what he did might look heroic, Carnegie could not be considered a hero one hundred percent of the time. He purposefully sabotaged his competition and made his workers’ job dangerous and difficult.

First of all, in order to make it in the steel business Carnegie had to be extra careful with how much production of the steel cost. If he did not make sure that the selling price stayed higher than the production price, then, instead of making a profit, he would just lose money. Then, when the price of production became low enough, Carnegie could just sell more steel and make more money. Even though this process raised the steel production in America and in other countries, it had negative attributes that came with it. In order for Carnegie to lower the cost of steel production and help his monopoly grow, he had to eliminate competition and buy out all the companies that help the process. In 1889, the Allegheny Bessemer Steel Company competed against Carnegie’s company, the J. Edgar Thompson Works, for more consumers and therefore more profit. The Allegheny Company had just come out with a new steel making technique that became both affordable and efficient, called “the direct rolling process.” Carnegie, feeling threatened by this new process, hatched a plan to slander the Allegheny Company’s name and new process. Soon, since Carnegie had much influence and many resources, his competitor company’s sales dropped drastically. Coming in as a “hero,” Carnegie purchased the company and stole their method for his own company. This shows how Social Darwinism during that time period flourished, especially in monopolies such as Carnegie’s, because Carnegie used devious means to do anything to “survive.”

Also, when Andrew Carnegie started his steel business, he paid other companies to help produce and transport it. Since he did not own these companies, he could not control how much they charged him to transport his materials. This price made it harder for Carnegie to make the steady profit he strived for. So he purchased all of the companies that supported the steel making

Association ($1,000,000), Dunfermline Trust ($4,000,000), and Teacher’s Pension Fund ($15,000,000). In all, Carnegie donated a total of $350,695,653 to different organizations. These contributions helped make Carnegie seem heroic, if one disregards all the other villainous deeds Carnegie committed.

In conclusion, if life compared to a game of Monopoly, then Andrew Carnegie definitely

would have won in no time at all. But instead of playing fairly, he would have tricked the other

players into selling him their property while only paying them half the price; the whole time saying “And while the law of competition may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for

the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department.” P

rocess, including many mills, Messabi Iron ore fields, ore boats, the ports, and the Frick Coke fields. Through these procurements Carnegie created the process of Vertical Integration. Since he then owned all of the companies used to make steel, Carnegie authorized how much money it cost to make steel and raise the price of steel itself to make more profit. This has a negative impact, because even though Carnegie made more money, consumers had to pay higher prices since Carnegie controlled the steel industry.

Another example of why Carnegie could be considered more villainous than heroic is because of how he treated his workers. Since his company became a huge success, he needed a very large amount of workers to make production happen. One would think that because Carnegie made approximately $92,000 dollars a day, his workers would have a considerable paycheck. Think again. During 1892, at the peak of his steel company’s success, Carnegie paid his workers an average of $1.81 a day. While it rose above the average industrial worker’s wage, they had to work more than ten hours a day. Six or more people made up the average family in that time period, and in order to feed the whole family, the father had to work seven days a week. But even then, working everyday for half the day, the family would not have enough money to survive. In order to compensate, the father had to work longer hours, so the children did not have to work too. Not only did the company pay the workers exceedingly low wages, but the working conditions became dangerous and even deadly. Much evidence exists showing the working environment for the steel workers, including one from the Homestead mill. Often people called the mill “the deathtrap” because of all the danger included. In a magazine article describing the conditions of the Homestead steel mill in Pittsburgh, workers said that it could be compared to “the mouth of hell.” All of this happened while Carnegie made more and more money off of the worker’s pain, spending it on things like a castle in Scotland.

Finally, although Carnegie made bad decisions while building his monopoly, he had his redeeming qualities. Carnegie’s moral that he stuck to during his climb to the top of the business ladder remained that he would donate all of the money that he made so he did not have any left over for his children, when he died. This thought could be considered heroic, because he wanted his children to work as hard as he did to achieve their goals, instead of being born into a wealthy lifestyle; for he believed that being born wealthy made one indolent and spoiled. Also, he donated a good portion of his money that he made to a plethora of charities and organizations. Some examples of places he gave money to include the Teachers’ Insurance & Annuity

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Let Us Be Free of Our Misery

Let us be Free of Our Misery Let us be free, It’s not fair that people from other countries are unable to enter the United States of America since it is a free country, it is a country which has has been called the land of opportunity and has been known as a melting pot since all cultures have been always been welcomed to enter. This is how our country was started today and how it has grown into the nation it is today. Why would we want to change our immigration laws policies? Our country was built from a diverse population and should continue to progress in the same manner, all people deserve a chance to enter our country and work towards their American dream.

Modifications may be needed to the immigration policies, but there should not be a ban, as imposed by President Trump “ on travel from Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, and Libya”. How many more children have to be abandoned due to the corrupt immigration laws. Free the people, give children the right to grow up with a father and mother, give humanity the justice it needs. This has been going on far too long let’s make a change. There are flaws in the law, the immigration process is imperfect, it’s time to find a solution. It all starts with a story. The story begins here September 2010 the phone was ringing I knew there was something wrong while the phone rang. As my mom answers the phone she says everyone come here to us three children. Tears fall down her face “it’s daddy he’s been pulled over and arrested.” Silence filled the room tears then flowed off everyone’s face. I screamed “WHY?” at just 11 years old, how could this be?

My mom then answered he passed the white line at the stop sign the cop pulled him over. The officer then asked for his social security card. Officers in the court of law aren’t allowed to ask for anyone’s social security without a warrant. They are only allowed to ask for someone’s licenses, registration, and insurance. Within two days I had lost my father to corrupt immigration laws. The reason the cop gave for arresting him was because he looked at social society records and found he saw smuggled into the US when he was 9 years old. He had his green card and his society, also he was an active good citizen and taxpayer in the United States a great father and business owner. There are much more children/adults just like me and I’ll stand up, make a stand on the front, speak out for anyone that lost a loved one due to corrupt immigration laws. I didn’t just lose my father I lost my brother and sister also due to the fact they had to move to Columbia also to be with their mother and father. There are flaws in the law, “Bill Hing, Professor of law at the university of San Francisco School of law, said the way the order has been carried out runs afoul of the Immigration and Nationality Act.” This law is supposed to protect the people that have lawfully received a visa, and or green card, and if the have gone through the vetting process.

All of the items listed above take vigorous screenings and it verifies a person’s identity, various questions are asked such as reasons for entering the country, and most importantly there is a screening for criminal history. All border control officials are allowed to question anyone they thick are a threat to the United States, but if anyone presents valid verification of a green card and or visa they legally ” have the right to have an appearance in front of an immigration Judge”. The constitution does not state it as a right but it in itself is a law. This law is not being held to any importance to those immigrants. When in the history of the United States has officer officials not obey the law. Not only do they not let immigrants a court hearing, they refused to follow the laws knowing they aren’t allowed to ask for anyone social security card without a warrant.

There is protest all around the world trying to stop President Trump from ruining everything this nation stands for. Immigrants have supported this country for centuries economically, the growth of the country into becoming a nation, they have created jobs, they are active taxpayers, business owners like my father, entrepreneurs, doctors, and customers. “They add trillions of dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product or GDP, and their economic importance will only increase in the coming decades as America’s largest generation—the baby boomers—retires en masse, spurring labor demand and placing an unprecedented burden on the social safety net” (By the CAP Immigration Team and Michael D. Nicholson Posted on April 20, 2017,). They don’t take into consideration that many immigrants have come to the United State to become free to live the American dream and free themselves the mystery of their home countries.

Many immigrants get deported back to their home countries when they haven’t been there for years and they don’t practice the religions and or not conserved, many get shunned and put into jail when deported back to their home country. Just like my father, he wasn’t in his home country Honduras since he was 9 years old and he spent 36 years of his life in the US. In the United states you are allowed to have tattoos but in Honduras, it is forbidden to do so due to the fact you are put into the category of gang affiliation. My father was not welcomed in Honduras due to his tattoo’s if he didn’t cover his tattoos by wearing turtles necks the police would throw him into jail immediately. He then had to move to Columbia where tattoos were allowed. The immigration process imperfection, there is a vigorous process to get a loved one into the United States you have to pay thousands of dollars for a good layer and you have to make more than $15,000 a year to sponsor your family member.

Many immigrant adolescents are smuggled into the United States by their parents paying a coyote to smuggle them in the US to have a better future and life than they had. Like my father, he was smuggled in at the age of 9 by a coyote, when he was supposed to come into the US legally. The united States should take into account that young children aren’t in control of their parents’ choices, therefore they shouldn’t be punished and deported. Immigrants with a green card and social security card should not be subjected to their parent’s choices. The solution, there should be a law where children under the age 18 that enter the country illegally have an opportunity to have an education, and truly live up to the American dream. They should be eligible for a social worker to work side by side with them to ultimate success. To help them make a plan and goal to work toward, so they can become successful American citizens. There should also be classes available for foreign children to learn English and prepare them for the citizenship test.

There are also troubled children that get into violence and drugs due to the lack of parenting and the struggles from coming from foreign countries. With knowing this there should be therapy available to all foreign children and anti-violence programs to teach them the dangers that come with being a troublemaker. There should also be punishments for teenagers at the age of 16 to keep them in check, such as a probationary where they are limited where they can go and an available class to teach them to cope with their troubles and find the cause of why they are acting out and also have a social worker help them make a future plan if they want to go to college or go to a trade school. There should be a cap on how many immigrants can enter the country every year to control the population rate and to make sure there are enough resources available when entering the country.

Children should never have to be abandoned by their parents due to the corrupt immigration laws, only in extreme circumstances for instance if a parent is convicted of the murder of convicted of violence. The child will be eligible for assistance, and placed into a foster care and or placed with a family member. The cost for someone to sponsor someone to come into the county should be cut down. Active citizens of the United States that have a green card and have a social security should be treated as equal as a US citizen that was born in America. Equality is the key to success.

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