American History

1.  Looking at Martins experience, it can be inferred that their forces paled in comparison to the better equipped and organized British forces which practically outclassed them.  They had the tendency to lose their nerve in battle for lack of discipline and end up getting routed in battle.

2. Despite these conditions, he reenlisted because he felt driven by a much higher cause than his own interests.  This was the sentiment shared by a most, if not some of his comrades who believed they had more to gain if they stayed on and fought.  In the end, they were not disappointed.

3.  Boston King was a black slave who served with the British forces.  He did this to escape his oppressive owners for committing a very minor infraction of staying away too long and instead of returning, he joined the British who were more tolerant of negroes as they had abolished slavery.
This proved to be true as he was captured (ironically) by whites who were Loyalists who did not care for his service with the British because of his race.

Catherine van Cordtlandt was the daughter of Jacobus van Cordtlandt whose clan produced prominent figures in the American history.  Given what became of the children and grandchildren of Cornelius, Catherine and her family were on the side of the Patriots but it was unfortunate that their land was not spared from marauders that included the people who were supposed to be on their side.  Yet she managed to rebuild their damaged home.

Abigail Adams, who later became the wife of John Adams, the first vice president and later second president of the United States.  From the beginning and owing to her husbands involvement, she was on the side of the Patriots and had been very supportive of her husbands career from the beginning until he became the next president of the United States after George Washington.

4. Political cartoons during the American Revolution served the same purpose as their modern-day counterparts in conveying implicit messages which can be translated as an instrument of propaganda.  One well-known cartoon of the period was the snake on the Dont Tread on Me flag which underscored the sentiments of the colonists whose rights were trampled and the snake symbolized a passive creature that could be aroused to attack when provoked.

The United States economy is facing a financial crisis. This situation has prompted a quick action from President Obamas administration. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a congressional testimony We are better of aggressively today to solve our economic problems President Obama responded to the issue by submitting a federal budget for the fiscal year 2009. The budget indicated a deficit of 1.8 trillion in 2009 and 1 trillion in 2010 and also in 2011. This has increased the Gross Domestic Product from 40 to 60. According to Bernanke such an increase has never been experienced since 1950.

Lack of employment is also an issue faced by the Americans. In the year 2008 about 115,000 workers lost jobs in Florida. This was quite higher than any other state in America. Those working were paid low wages than it had been in the last decade. This has made it difficult for citizens to pay their mortgage and other necessities. President Obama during his campaign for elections promised to create more jobs.

Utilization of Power, Authority and Governance
Judging by president Obamas first year in office, he has demonstrated competence and discipline. The Economist (2010) Mr. Obama has resisted the temptation to give in to the populists in his own party and saddle Wall street that would choke it he has improved taxation on entrepreneurs who are shaping the economy. Besides this he has also refused to listen to protectionists. He is dedicated to improving the welfare of the people New York Times states Obama administrations early months in office were dominated by a single issue The economy

As part of exercising good governance and transparency Obamas administration restricts the Federal Reserves emergency-lending powers of overseeing systematic risks, and leading to the federal major overhaul in years. Obama made the central bank to obtain a written document of approval from the treasury concerning emergency funding. Obama proposed review of
Federal government structure and use of funds

Science Technology and Society
 Science and technology has boosted the growth of American Economy since world war two. Obama promised to keep this trend as a priority in his administration.  He acknowledges the innovation demonstrated by scientists. He also understands the challenges faced and gives remedies for new approaches to solving problems. He promised that his administration will increase funding for research and encourage young upcoming scientists.

Production Distribution and Consumption
The issue of distribution of resources and management among all the states in America is paramount in president Obama administration. Obama recently announced the use of 467 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to enhance development and utilization of geothermal power for all states in America. This is a move that will increase Americans competitiveness and also support jobs that will ensure quality energy. Obama says we have a choice. We can remain the leading exporter of clean energy.

Obama is passionate about creating jobs for the citizens. New York Times said Mr. Obama outlined proposals intended to promote job creation. They include incentives for small businesses to hire more workers and additional money to build roads Obama is also concerned with heath care which forms the main part of the domestic priority. Jonathan (2009) Key members of congress have promised to introduce ambitious health care reform legislation in 2009.

Conclusion
From all the above sources it is clear that Obamas administration is dedicated to the welfare of the citizens. The plans put in place are encouraging for instance The Caucus says He and his administration contend that about two million people are working otherwise would not be this is a positive impact and we hope to experience more.

Settlers in the English colonies on the American continent had diverse cultural, religious and economic backgrounds that influenced growth and development. Some moved to the colonies to escape religious persecution, others to start life anew after paying off their debts while a significant number were attracted by the prospect of virgin lands and new adventure. The underlying factor that influenced socio-political structures, precipitated internal conflicts and determined general development was wealth relations or the differences between the have and the havenots.

Settlers in the New England, Chesapeake, and the Middle Colonies immigrated to the new colonies in search of a better life with all their possessions. They established trading posts and conducted business in the towns and cities they built. British settlers in the southern colonies were largely indentured servants with little or no wealth. With limited resources and a weak financial base, the southern states developed more slowly than the northern regions. Most southerners were limited in their ability to generate wealth because they lacked resources and even though some of them became wealthy plantation owners, they became destitute because of persistent floods and drought.

National assemblys were modeled such that the dominant community (usually the richer one) controlled all the state organs and national resources. To ensure that the southern economy remained afloat, the white settlers passed laws perpetually enslaving the black slave community. Internal dissent developed because of harsh laws that pitted blacks against white slave owners. In New England and Chesapeake, the wealthy elite passed laws encouraging religious intolerance to keep the other people in servitude. These laws were responsible for social tensions that erupted in skirmishes and riots.

In conclusion, the ownership of wealth (or the lack of it) determined the pace of development in the colonies. In an attempt to entrench themselves in power, the propertied class passed laws in their favor, which later contributed to class struggles and racial tensions. Political structures reflected the reality on the ground by alienating the have-nots from the decision making process and reserving leadership positions for the wealthy elite.

Los Angeles is an American city with  longstanding issues in encompassing race, society and economy. As the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles has a rich historical background  spanning areas of trade, entertainment, culture, technology, education and media.

Tagged as the world center of business, the city never fails to astonish its constituents with its wide variety of opportunities and great deal of surprises. With the multicultural structure of Los Angeles, it could be noted that a miscellany of issues concerning justice, reinvention and opportunity that underlie in its strategic geographic location.

Hidden in the citys archetypal and postmodern environment are stories of societal oppression and issues concerning race, gender and sexuality. The contemporary society of the city reflects the widely held belief that there is an embedded outcry and rage which lies beneath its flashy, modern and diverse facade. As observed in various literatures, it could be said that the city is an interesting area of study among socio-political scholars it has its own tale of progress and social misdemeanor.

It is in this musing that this paper recounts the consequences incurred by the city as it continues with its pursuit for urban development. This paper provides a vivid exploration of the directions of development that the city has undertake. It aims to render an account of the critical impact and effects which the ever changing social and political trends instigate. The impact and effects of such trends are discussed in this paper using perspectives from academic and scholarly literatures and from the Nina Revoyrs novel Southland.

The Importance of Space
Geographic and architectural details of Los Angeles consider the finite changes in culture, economics, and politics in Los Angeles. The spatial description of the Los Angeles could be neither  chaotic in structure, nor haphazard in evolution, the citys spatial structure is the  visible record of a plural society.

Quite dissimilar with this notion, the novel Southland tells of the spatial description of Los Angeles based from its mere natural representation that does not aim to go beyond the constituents of its space.  Southland describes Los Angeles as a city with greenery scenes, mountains, and huge expanse of clear blue sky. Also, the novel says that the childrens parents are loving the fresh air combined with the scent of jasmine in spring and oleanders in the summer.

While the novel tends to offer artistic spatial definition of the city, scholarly works regarding the importance of space and the relationship between the control of space and the exercise of power view the subject as being related to the failure of in socio-spatial control in the city. The control of space and territoriality is a fundamental element of overall police efforts at social control. This validates the perception that spatial control in the city serves as a response to its radical society that disturbs its territoriality.

The cognitive space occupied in Los Angeles by various neighborhood groups including charitable and publicly funded anti-gang programs is being supervised by law enforcement officers as part of actions to lessen or even to eliminate disorder. Given this notion, it could be said that space has encountered a crucial phase in which there is a clash of power within the authorities and the citys contemporary and radical society.

This kind of scenario necessitates a more effective geopolitical strategies to be able to encourage peace and order in the city.   It is written that cultural conceptions of space and place are central components of political struggles, because to dictate the nature of space and the action that occurs there is to exercise tremendous power.

Noveyrs novel Southland reflects the spatial and social uncertainties in Los Angeles. Based from the novel, it could be said that the city is a visual presentation of the dialectical meeting of space and social relation. This is because space in itself may be already given, but the organization and meaning of space is distinctively the product of social translation, transformation and experience.
Opportunity and Justice in the Contemporary Society of Los Angeles

Los Angeles has long been the scholars primary illustration of urban sprawl,  environmental degradation and the loss of community. Such loss of community is evident in Southland in which Jackie, the novels main character,  discovers that four black teenagers were murdered in the his fathers store during the Watts Riots of 1965.

With the inclusion of this historical event, the novel takes a glimpse on the social breakdown, mob rule, and criminality in the city. Both the Southland and the scholarly works are at one in declaring that such uprising denotes the finite pursuit of the city for justice. The    event also instills that Los Angeles is necessitating a reform on its criminal justice system and participation from homeowners.

What lies beneath the inadequacies in the justice system of the city is the opportunity to intermediary actors consisting of the neighborhood and community groups which undertake actions against crime and violence. The citys crime news carves out a crucial role for amateur intermediaries such as community groups, and non-law enforcement professionals.

There is so much more to this city than the violence and injustice that confront the eye. The city hungers for the programs and reformation when it comes to the youth sector who have been  socially deprived of chances for complete transformation. The civil unrest and injustice of the city belong to the many setbacks of its struggle for progress and these factors are needing an appropriate landscaping of its political and justice system.

Racial and Personal Identity in Los Angeles
The novel  is reflective of the racial tensions in the city. The racial tension in the city is a distinct situation being swept under the rug by legislators, media, and law enforcement groups. In the novel, the incident in which four black teenagers were killed in the store of Jackys father in Crenshaw paints a gloomy picture of Los Angeles as home to racial and identity issues.

According to the novel, Jackie is startled upon seeing that the black mourners were mostly clumped together on the right side of the room. Such scenario validates the notion that it has been hard for the city to eliminate or even lessen the tension among the different racial groups which have been living in turmoil and dealing with identity crisis issues.  Race is shaking the the comfortable quietudes of the Los Angeles government to roots. This cemented the city as a racial war zone.

The social unrest in the city might be related to the race and economic issues which continue to expose the negative impact of the citys struggle for power and prominence.  The vast urban complexes of Los Angeles is harder to control than those in the Northern part basically because Northern cities are smaller. When it comes to policies  regarding desegregation, the Los Angeles has been in s difficult stage in which there seems to be an imbalance pattern of blackwhite residence as viewed by recent demographic trends.

Los Angeles belongs to the cities that has to contend with a far more diversified set of ethnic and religious divisions.  As a city of immigrants, Los Angeles finds itself in conflict once again over how its newest immigrants are redefining and recreating new forms of community. With the racial tension, people felt the loss of quality of life and a healthy environment, and recognized that the loss was differentially distributed.

Conclusion
It is already written that there is a miscellany of stories hidden behind the progressive  status of the city. This miscellany of stories reflects the cries of hope and justice of the people who have been the center of the social and political unrest in the area. The stories are from people who have been victims of racial and identity crises, injustice, and social misdemeanor caused by the citys contemporary society stigmatized as a radical one.

Whatever else Los Angeles was, good or bad, it is a city that posits the consequences of a strong pursuit of for progress and of an eager strive to maintain its dominant status. Both fiction world and the scholarly realm suggest that the city is having a difficult time in managing the setbacks of its dominant status and in searching for the appropriate solution and reform.

Los Angeles is a reflection of Americas struggle for wealth and perfection and a visible presentation that declares the urgent need for total reform in social and political policies. At the very heart of Los Angeles lies the opportunity for the application of a possible reform in the social and political sectors of the city encompassing multiracial facets and various legislations. For some, the city fails when it comes to certain aspects of the society, but for others, the city is a challenging land wherein only the fittest survives.

1) Which was not part of the immediate post World War I Disillusionment
       a)       The Red Scare
       b)       The Scopes Trial       (Correct)
       c)       The Black Sox Scandal
       d)       An Influenza outbreak.

2) Consumer consumption in the 1920s was mainly fueled by
       a)       Credit and installment
       b)       Well-crafted hand made items
       c)       Rapid Deflation       (Correct)
       d)       Decreasing wages that caused lower prices          

3) Marcus Garvey believed
       a)       That the NAACP needed to pursue integration
       b)       African-Americans should follow Booker Washington
       c)       Lynching was an acceptable form of racial control
       d)       That black people should separate from white society       (Correct)

4) Evolutionists claimed victory in the Scope s Trial because
       a)       Bryan proved creationism was illogical
       b)       Darrow s cross examination of Bryan made Bryan look foolish       (Correct)
       c)       Tennessee repealed the law prohibiting evolution    
       d)       Scopes avoided any penalty

5) Prohibition was destined to fail because
       a)       The loss of money generated by alcohol sales caused a depression
       b)       Even law-abiding citizens disobeyed laws aimed at enforcing morality  (Correct)
       c)       Americans blamed the law for increased crime    
       d)       Wrong, Prohibition was a great success

6) Which is true of the Sacco-Vanzetti case
       a)      They were acquitted because the government overreacted to the Red Scare
       b)       It proved that African-Americans couldn t get justice in the South
       c)       The Ku Klux Klan proved it had a right to free speech
       d)       They were convicted because of their ethnicity and political beliefs       (Correct)

7) True or False Ponzi was able to make most of his investors rich.       (False)

8) True or False  The seriousness of the early part of the Great Depression was eased when the Federal Reserve eased the money supply.       (False)

9) One of the most best activities in relieving the Depression s effects was
       a)       Hoover s significant action in passing immediate relief legislation
       b)       Collective Action by people who helped their neighbors       (Correct)
       c)       Giving the Bonus Army it s early bonus
       d)       Allowing the communists to run some local governments

10) True or False  Though the 1920s were a decade of increased wealth, not all Americans benefited from the economic growth.       (True)

In a historic perspective, the capitalism in America has progressed primarily as a means of a socio-economic need while fulfilling the capitalist class, but was throughout bound and fuelled with indentured slavery and labor.

Capitalism, having been more significantly developed in the Europe, was characterized by a few key elements as an underlying system in the 19th century America. What these predominantly signify is the private ownership of production and means of production, along with the supplement of labor. The basis for this notion, in fact, existed in the beginning days of capitalistic economy  in the 12th century. Back then, it was more towards the merchandise of movable goods, trading and sales of property. Though the term capitalism itself was more commonly used in abstract history of the 17th century, especially with the rise of merchant capitalism, its usage as an economic system evolved gradually on par with the industrial revolution. Though the exact origins of the concepts of capitalism are vague, since the middle ages, it provided the main means of industrialization. Despite the fact that capitalism for more centered on trade for profit, still some production were made with non-capitalist methods However, the extents to which these trades are done were largely dependant on the governing policies and politics.

Along with the evolution of the norm, predominantly, the American economy became capitalist by the latter part of the 19th century. This passage of history can be broken down to three phases. The first part of this, from 1600 to 1790, was mainly handicraft production, along with the production related with tobacco industry. During 1790  1865, several industries were booming though, however, agriculture as a key character in the economy was suffering with a setback. Nevertheless, the economy as a mix of elements contributing to its growth was flourishing. The emergence of a working class is observed during this period. However, in the last phase after 1865, development in agriculture took a high pace along with the thriving economy. Most of the labor requirement for the commercial sectors was staffed by slavery. The high need of work force and the candidness for the slavery in the American society back in the 17th century paved the way to a fundamental transformation. In fact, it can be argued that the capitalist market did lay the foreground for slavery in America.

Until about 1865, slavery was legally allowed within the American boundaries. The slaves that were brought to America, as a primary means of cheap labor to cater to the needs of booming economy, especially in the agricultural sector, were mainly African blacks. Most of these slaves were indebted in their own lands for generations, while some were brought in by force against their will or consent. It was speculated that more than 12 million slaves were shipped during the period of 16th to the latter part of 18th century. Most of them were brought to the now United States. Before the outright slavery was legally accepted in the capitalism, one of the most primary systems by which the laborers were bound by was the indentured servitude. With this system, the laborers was legally contracted under an employer in the capitalist economy, and unlike slavery, they were only required to work for a limited amount of time in exchange for their primary necessities including food and lodging. However, with indentured slavery, the laborers became the sole property of their owners and mostly they were deprived of even the basic rights to earn or freedom for voluntary movement. They were held against their will and were literally considered as personal movable property. Alexander Davidson states in his historical notes on Illinois, the Illinois legislation stipulated the owner of the negroes above 15 years of age under owing service are to be brought before a clerk within 30 days and have an indenture record specifying the time during which the slave is to serve. This was stated in the act Indentured and Registered Slaves bearing a date of year 1807. These agreements gave the colonialists ample chances to reap profits, as they were legally entitled for obtainment of cheap labor. The slaves were even stripped off from their basic rights, which they enjoyed before they were brought into America. Even in the early days of capitalism, the mentality and the brutal treatments were noted in the historical documents such as William Byrds diary, where he mentions in his own word how he treated the slaves as his own property and played cruel games on his servants. Whipping and branding on the skin was a common punishment for the slaves under the capitalist society. Slaves who were guilty of crimes were charged in non-jury courts and many judicial cases have been found throughout in the history, including slave owners claiming for the fugitive slaves and criminal offenses.

In terms of the industries where the slavery was employed in capitalist America, the legalization of African slavery in Virginia and Maryland was more noteworthy. Allan Kulikoff mentions in his historical note that following the huge demand for tobacco, planters invested money not only on the crop and plantation, but also for buying out more African slaves. Though the number of African slaves were relatively low at the beginning, the success of tobacco especially with cheap labor made the slavery quite essential to the economy of Virginia. This demand for African slaves kept on rising with the development of the plantation agriculture.  American sugar industry, along with tobacco, was booming as an agricultural industry. By the mid 18th century, however, the consumption of sugar in Britain had literally doubled. By this time, Louisiana had harbored itself as a major contributor to the countrys economy with its successful sugar plantations. Many slaves from Africa and West Indies were labored in these territories and agriculture sectors.

The physical strength and power of immunity against potentially dangerous diseases like malaria led the slaves to be harbored in other industries including mining. In the mid 19th century, the coal producing territories of Alabama and Tennessee were largely employing African slaves. Since slaves were not entitled to object for the work they do or have control over their working duration, they were labored in many other industries including building railroads, weaving and carpentry. With fewer concerns over their health and hygienic conditions, Africans were sought after as the ultimate solution to the acute labor requirements in the capitalist economy.

As much as the capitalism was formed to reap the maximum out of slavery, especially at the end of 18th century, several activists and voices were raised for the slaves, so they could feel more human with their rights-at least some of what Native Americans enjoyed. Historical journal articles indicate the voices raised by Maryland Abolition Society in 1790 to establish basic rights for the slaves in America. Most of these activists failed to achieve the best what the hoped for the slaves however, it made a wave across the society that led to relieving some of the restrictions imposed on the slaves, such as buying one selfs freedom. There were many lawsuits and judiciary acts for the freedom of slaves. Some were proceeded even for the rights of the fugitive slaves-something which was rare in the early days of colonization. The strengths that emerged within the slave community helped them ultimately to win their war on civil rights in the latter part of the 19th century. As much as the capitalism had made a mark on the American history, the legacy of the slaves had its impact on America in every facet of the economy and culture.

In his radio address in 1941 Charles Lindbergh made comments on the war America was about to engage in as he opposed the war and gave some reasons for his antagonistic view. Lindbergh kicked against the idea that U.S wanted to get involved in a war in Europe.
 
In view of this, it is pertinent to infer from the words and methods of Lindbergh if he was a pragmatist or an idealist and in doing this, one has to define pragmatism and idealism to see whether Lindbergh falls into the category of any of the two. Pragmatism is based on the direct and practical method of thinking critically on the ways to solve some problems that requires specific outcomes instead of relying on theories and ideologies.  Thus, a pragmatist is a practical person, down to earth in nature, rational and someone that sees things the way they truly are. On the other hand, an Idealist is an impractical person, a perfectionist that rejects practical norms and relies more on ideologies and fundamental principles. From the description made above, it can be inferred from the passage given, that Lindbergh was a pragmatist. This is because he viewed the impending war from a practical point of view. He was of the opinion that a country would only continue to exist in this aggressive world if its principles would be supported by the firm decision of armed feasibility. He believed that if America had a specialized and organized army, they should not be based in the British Isles alone, but in the whole of Europe, a scenario which Lindbergh deemed practically impossible. Furthermore, he argued that if America were to use the air force, it would be difficult to counter the strength of the German force because the only place the American force could operate from would be at the British Isles. Another possible way was to use the navy, it still would not make any difference because they would not be able to avoid bombing from the German air fleet. His view was, the British government misinformed the U.S in order to form an alliance with the Americans which he believed was a propaganda and that were mere acts of extreme anxiety. Consequently, his view of the impending fall of the British Empire would be a disaster to the world but America must put herself firstly into consideration. Another fact that should be placed into consideration is that the people of America are still recovering from the First World War. After careful analysis of Charles Lindberghs radio address, it could be deduced that he was a pragmatist and not an idealist.

Personally, I believe Charles Lindbergh was qualified to comment on the preparedness of the U.S military or military strategy not only because he was a member of the first American committee which stated the four basic principles that must be concentrated on, instead of going to war. He was a practical person who was clearly thinking of the consequences of the war. The war could make them lose lives and many more severely injured, it would definitely lead to loss of properties and a lot of money would have to be used for making or purchasing artilleries which could have been diverted to the growth of the economy and also, the fact that over 100 million Americans are opposing the war makes Lindbergh to speak on behalf of these people. He believed the U.S government should concentrate on themselves rather than going to war.

The historical precedence that Charles Lindbergh cited to support his position were the way the interventionist influenced France to go to battle with Germany which the French lost.  From his own point of view, he believed the French did not stand a chance to win the war, he believed that they should have signed a peace deal. The same interventionist swayed the British to go to war with the Germans, which they were on the verge of losing. These were still the same interventionists that were trying to influence the American government to go to war.