How Christmas Trees Became Popular in the 1800s

The husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, gets the credit for making Christmas trees fashionable, as he famously set one up in Windsor Castle in the late 1840s. Yet there are reports of Christmas trees appearing in the United States years before the royal Christmas tree made a splash in American magazines. One classic yarn is that Hessian soldiers had been celebrating around a Christmas tree when George Washington caught them by surprise at the battle of Trenton. The Continental Army did cross the Delaware River to surprise the Hessians on Christmas night 1776, but there is no documentation of a Christmas tree having been present. Another story is that a Hessian soldier who happened to be in Connecticut set up Americas first Christmas tree in 1777. While thats accepted local lore in Connecticut, there also doesnt seem to be any documentation of the story. A German Immigrant and His Ohio Christmas Tree In the late 1800s a story circulated that a German immigrant, August Imgard, had set up the first American Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio, in 1847. The story of Imgard appeared often in newspapers as a holiday feature. The basic version of the tale was that Imgard, after arriving in America, was homesick at Christmas. So he cut down the top of a spruce tree, brought it indoors, and decorated it with handmade paper ornaments and small candles. In some versions of the Imgard story he had a local tinsmith fashion a star for the top of the tree, and sometimes he was said to have decorated his tree with candy canes. There actually was a man named August Imgard who lived in Wooster, Ohio, and his descendants kept the story of his Christmas tree alive well into the 20th century. And there is no reason to doubt that he decorated a Christmas tree in the late 1840s. But there is a documented account of an earlier Christmas tree in America. First Documented Christmas Tree in America A professor at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Charles Follen is known to have set up a Christmas tree in his home in the mid-1830s, more than a decade before August Imgard would have arrived in Ohio. Follen, a political exile from Germany, became known as a member of the abolitionist movement. The British writer Harriet Martineau visited Follen and his family at Christmas 1835 and later described the scene. Follen had decorated the top of a spruce tree with small candles and presents for his son Charlie, who was three years old. The first printed image of a Christmas tree in America seems to have occurred a year later, in 1836. A Christmas gift book titled A Strangers Gift, written by Herman Bokum, a German immigrant who, like Charles Follen, was teaching at Harvard, contained an illustration of a mother and several small children standing around a tree illuminated with candles. Earliest Newspaper Reports of Christmas Trees The Christmas tree of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert became known in America in the late 1840s, and in the 1850s reports of Christmas trees began appearing in American newspapers. A newspaper report described an interesting festival, a Christmas tree, which was viewed in Concord, Massachusetts on Christmas Eve 1853. According to the account in the Springfield Republican, all the children of the town participated and someone dressed as St. Nicholas distributed presents. Two years later, in 1855, the Times-Picayune in New Orleans published an article noting that St. Pauls Episcopal Church would be setting up a Christmas tree. This is a German custom, the newspaper explained, and one that has been of late years imported into this country, to the great delight of the young folks, who are its especial beneficiaries. The article in the New Orleans newspaper offers details indicating that many readers would be unfamiliar with the concept: A tree of evergreen, in size adapted to the dimensions of the room in which it is displayed, is selected, the trunk and branches of which are to be hung with brilliant lights, and laden from the lowest bought to the topmost branch, with Christmas gifts, delicacies, ornaments, etc., of every imaginable variety, forming a perfect storehouse of rare presents from old Santa Claus.What indeed can be more gratifying to children than to take them where their eyes will grow big and bright, feasting on such a sight on the eve of Christmas. A Philadelphia newspaper, The Press, published an article on Christmas Day 1857 which detailed how various ethnic groups had brought their own Christmas customs to America. It said: From Germany, in particular, comes the Christmas tree, hung all round with gifts of all sorts, interspersed with crowds of small tapers, which illuminate the tree and excite general admiration. The 1857 article from Philadelphia whimsically described Christmas trees as immigrants who had become citizens, stating, We are naturalizing the Christmas tree. And by the time, an employee of Thomas Edison created the first electric Christmas tree in the 1880s, the Christmas tree custom, whatever its origins, was permanently established. There are a number of unverified stories about Christmas trees in the White House in the mid-1800s. But it seems the first documented appearance of a Christmas tree wasnt until 1889. President Benjamin Harrison, who always had the reputation of being one of the less interesting presidents, was nonetheless very interested in Christmas celebrations. Harrison had a decorated tree placed in an upstairs bedroom of the White House, perhaps mostly for the entertainment of his grandchildren. Newspaper reporters were invited to see the tree and wrote fairly detailed reports about it. By the end of the 19th century, Christmas trees had become a widespread tradition throughout America.

Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs Commonly Called...

Amphetamines, a group of synthetic psychoactive drugs commonly called psychostimulants or central nervous system stimulants, were first synthesized by L. Edeleano, a German chemist in 1887 (Amphetamine). This group of drugs includes amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine. The racemic ÃŽ ±-methylphenethylamine, a version of amphetamine, was later discovered in 1910 by Dale and Barger (Heal). This version was synthesized in 1927 by G. A. Alles while trying to find an alternative for ephedrine. In 1935, Benzedrine was released onto the market as a treatment for narcolepsy, mild depression, and a multitude of other disorders. Two years later in 1937, the drug, now known by the generic name of ‘Amphetamine,’ became available for†¦show more content†¦Each airman would simply need the oversight of their commander and flight surgeon, as well has having routine physical examinations, explicit guidance for the circumstances under which the drugs could be us ed, and a signed consent form (Caldwell). In January of 1984 the use of amphetamines and â€Å"go-pills† were turned into Air Fore Regulation 161-33 (Jedick). Amphetamine, also known by the IUPAC name of 1-phenylopropan 2-amine, contains the functional groups methyl (CH3) and amine (NH2). These functional groups cause the drug to release the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotine and norepinephrine from the nerve endings in the brain (Iversen). This happens because of the similar structure to dopamine. Once the neurotransmitters have been released, the amphetamines cause a buildup of them around the synapse and plug the transporter molecules preventing their re-uptake. This causes a flooding of extra neurotransmitters in the brain. Since amphetamines are so similar in structure to dopamine, the drug is able to enter the terminal button through the neural membrane as well as through the dopamine transporters. The amphetamine molecules then trick the mind into believing that it is dopamine being taken up. Once in the presynaptic neuron, the amphetamines, disguised as dopamine, push the extra dopamine into the synaptic gap, and the transporte rs are forced to work in reverse, producing even

None_Provided Essay Summary Example For Students

None_Provided Essay Summary Seven years in Tibet portraits a renowned mountain climber and world traveler from Austria, named Henry. Henrys mission is to get travel to the top of Nanga Parabet, which is the fifth highest peak in the world. Nanga Parabet is in the Himalayas and is five thousand Kilometers high. During their expedition Henry and his crew encounter some bad storms which cause them to turn back and go down. On the way down they are captured and become prisoners of war. The time is the early 40s and Hitler was moving his men for world domination. The Austrian men where not in there and presumed P. O.Ws. They were shipped to a prison camp in India where they were kept. Henry tried escaping 4 times and was unsuccessful every time. In October of 1940 Henrys wife sent him divorce papers, while he was in prison camp. In September 1942 he is still in prison, but this is where he will make his escape with his expedition. The escape is successful and Henry goes off on his own. Henry is now in Northern India after being alone for a while he meets back up with his friend Peter. Henry and Peter, at this point have no idea where they want to go. They roam like Nomads through the Himalayas getting ridiculed by all the people they come across. They end up going to Tibet because it is the closet country to them to get food and shelter. Tibet is the highest and most isolated country in the world. Henry and Peter have a world of problems trying to get into Tibet. It is a sacred and spiritual country, them being foreigners get kicked out upon arrival of Tibet. After getting kicked out of Tibet they are escorted 40 kilometers to the boarder of India. However, before arrival to India Henry and Peter escape the guards and try again to get into Tibet. At this point it seems as if Henry is becoming a real jerk. He argues and complains, and treats his friend like garbage. Henry is constantly thinking about his son, whom he has never met before. He decides to write a letter to his son, which he does. Henrys friend Peter is becoming sick, his shoes are turning to pieces so they stop to rest. During the night raiders come through and destroy there tent and hunt for there things. They have nothing. Henry manages to grab one of the Raiders off his horse. He then takes the horse and rides off into the night. They come to a higher elevation in the mountains because there is a lot of snow. They eat the horse to survive, which shows their way of living, which is hard for them to get by because they take nothing for granted. The boy in Tibet is getting older and wiser soon he will be imperial. Henry and Peter both are ready to get into the holy city of Lshana. They encounter some problems with men guarding the holy city. Peter gives the man a piece of paper and tells him it is a permit to get into the holy city. The men are now in the holy city where the Dahlia lama is. The men are invited to lunch and stay with one of the towns people. The man who owns the house that Peter and Henry are at, goes to the ministry and Dahlia lama and tells them what he has done. Peter and Henry are then showered with gifts, of clothes and shelter. The Dahlia lama is eager to learn of the New World, that he has never seen. .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 , .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .postImageUrl , .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 , .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:hover , .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:visited , .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:active { border:0!important; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:active , .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6 .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua00c173d19e597a10d5574ac08b781c6:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Bipolar Disorder Essay Peter ends up getting married. Henry is freelancing around surveying the land making maps. After hearing news that the war is over, Henry decides to leave and go back to Austria, but not before the Dahlia lama wishes to have him in his presents. Henry upon receiving the news is excited in a way. He goes to see the Great Mother, (which is the Dahlia lamas mother) she gives Henry a speech of proper etiquette to use around the Dahlia lama. He cant touch him, ask questions, look him in the eyes, or sit

Mutually Exclusive Events and Independent Events- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theMutually Exclusive Events and Independent Events. Answer: The statement that if two events are mutually exclusive, can be thought of as independent events, is false and I do not agree with it. This is because mutually exclusive events is a different concept from that of independent events. Events are mutually exclusive if one of the events precludes the occurrence of the other event. While in independent events the occurrence of one of the events does not affect, in anyway, the occurrence or none occurrence of the other event (Black, 2009, p. 98). This faults the notion that mutually exclusive events can be thought of as independent events. For example, mutually exclusive events can be represented as: P (A and B) = 0 While on the other hand, independent events can be represented as: P (A) P (B) = P (A and B) This shows that they are very different concepts, even in their mathematical representation. A good example, is the tossing of a coin. In this case, the expected results can either be a head or a tailthey are mutually exclusive; but not independent. This is depicted by the formula below: P (H and T) = 0 and P (H) P (T) = = 0 When two events are said to be mutually exclusive, it means that they do not occur at the same time. This means that when one occurs in a mutually exclusive situation, it excludes the chances of the other event occurring. For example, when we toss a fair coin, we can only get a head or a tailnot both. Therefore, in mutually exclusive events, only one occurrence is expected at any instance; both events cannot occur at the same time. A good example of mutually exclusive events in business is the act of a deciding to purchase something or not to purchase it. The two actions of purchasing or not purchasing are mutually exclusive events. On the other hand, independent events do not affect the occurrence of either of them. This means that, when one event occurs, it does not affect the occurrence of the other eventsneither of the events influences one another (Mukhopadhyay, 2000, p. 10). Therefore, the probability that one of the events occurs does not in any way affect the probability of the other event occurring. For example, in a business organization, the occurrence of 25 years old male employees does not affect in any way the occurrence of 25 years old female employees. References Black, K. (2009). Business Statistics: Contemporary Decision Making. John Wiley Sons. Mukhopadhyay, N. (2000). Probability and Statistical Inference. CRC Press.

The Witcher. Last Wish Review Essay Example

The Witcher. Last Wish Review Paper Essay on The Witcher. Last Wish It is with these words begin those 1500 pages (12-m font single-spaced), which takes the whole saga about the Witcher on my computer (13 MB of disk space). On reading went Week (often distracted). However, with the works of this genre I have a conversation or short (all have Perumova about professions in all its guises, has been read for 3 days) or very short ( Wolfhound was thrown about on the 20th page). I have to say impressive saga Sapkowski and have done a lot within a given genre. It managed to create a very hraizmatichnyh and believable protagonists (and minor characters are very picturesque). It managed to create a time and place action: the world of The Witcher is holistic enough thought, riddled with internal connections. Failed greatly deviate from the laws of logic, therefore, in his world, and his characters, believe, and this is the main feature required for the success of fantasy works And most importantly -. Sapkowski managed to create a piece in one degree or another original . Plot moves that are built on the revaluation of (mainly moral) action heroes, are quite good. Monsters inspire respect and understanding, noble motives very often turn mean and selfish interest. Although, sometimes Sapkowski in his moral metamorphosis clearly goes too far. With half a dozen notorious villains, whom the place on the gallows (judging by their deeds) turn out to be hurt children, which came just cruel. No, in each case, all this is quite plausible and even logical, but a mass phenomenon frankly confused. We will write a custom essay sample on The Witcher. Last Wish Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Witcher. Last Wish Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Witcher. Last Wish Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The world, The Witcher is pretty tough. And tough as the morally and physically violence in the book enough. But at the same Sapkowskis saga could not turn into a bloody mochilovo, the essence of which boils down to the killing of more and more tough rivals (although such an approach in the saga, of course, is). A feature of the saga is a very small number of happy moments and characters. The vast majority of the characters die, with varying degrees of severity over the world are constantly a threat of war hangs (or a war already in progress). A few words about a love saga line. To inflame the passions of this line does not yield battle scenes. Romance, true enough, but so too it is the world Sapkowski, have no place in it romance. The more valuable the separate episodes when among the blood and dirt grow true feelings to be trampled boots cruelty and cynicism The Witcher can really feel the:. Feel the atmosphere of the work, the way of thinking of the protagonist, suffering and pain all the characters. And the more valuable is the last thing that could Sapkowski: but he succeeded no less to finish the saga. And for that he open the bow, as towards the end of all the logically justified resources the source of the world Sapkowski was exhausted: the dragons were, vampires were massive war were incredible magic was used, undefeated fighters defeated. On or connected parallel worlds, or refer to the gods (or both simultaneously). Sapkowski chose the first option and have already begun to take shape prospects for logical inconsistencies and unreliability of psychological, but the writer stopped in time. I very sincerely hope that The Witcher will remain in the form in which it is now. Now, it is certainly one of the best works in the genre. Is not that right, Triss Merigold, the Fourteenth to the Hill?

Essay on Information Technologies Acts

Essay on Information Technologies Acts Essay on Information Technologies Acts Information Technologies Acts Introduction to Computer Applications and Systems Information Technologies Acts There are a number of information technologies acts that have been passed over the years in an attempt to assist in protecting the consumer, business, and government within the United States from crimes that may be committed with the use of and misuse of information systems. Do Not Call Implementation Act of 2003 The Do Not Call Implementation Act of 2003 authorized the Federal Trade Commission, also referred to as the FTC, to establish fees from 2003 to 2007 in conjunction with the creation and enforcement of the National Do-Not-Call Registry; Telemarketers would have to check the Do-Not-Call Registry and update their systems or face fines in upwards of $11,000 dollars (Banger, Evansburg, Watson, & Welch, 2003). This act was primarily created in response to overwhelming telemarketing calls consumers were receiving as a result of personal information such as names, phone numbers, and various demographics complied, stored and distributed on various information systems implemented in collecting demographics for advertising purposes by various companies. This act assist the consumer in preventing cold calls by telemarketers. Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002, or FISMA, was created with the intention to improve the overall security and compliance of federal agencies with regard to changing requirements to Information Security and new technologies. FISMA was created to provide a set of basic mandates and requirement to securing information from outside sources, such as cyber-attacks and other online security threats. Each year agencies are graded on how well they comply with FISMA and requires these agencies to develop information security programs that make them more accountable (Hasson, 2008). This act became necessary when the government changed from a mainframe computer system to networked computer systems connected to the internet. In conclusion, as technology

Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Franchising Essay

Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Franchising - Essay Example The franchise raises operations money and manages the business operations. In franchising mode of business, someone else does establishment of the business for another. The franchise shares the business expertise for a financial consideration with the franchise. Franchising can be of different types. There is one where a business is developed much earlier on especially with existing products and the manufacturer grants right to sell the products to the franchise. The other is the franchise where franchiser allows the franchisee to utilize a special recipe or process as well as the name of the franchiser. Today, the format of business type of ownership is constituted by franchising where franchisers do not only grant the right to sell products and services or its name, but also transfers totally the way of operating the business developed such as management methods, operating, training and marketing systems, as well as technical experience and expertise (Sherman, 2007). The franchise is also extensively trained by franchiser as well as offer an ongoing support. Buying a franchise may as well be a feasible and/ or viable alternative to establishing a new business.   The primary benefit associated with franchising is the minimization of risks. Establishing a new business is often very risky. New business risk failure within their first three years of operation, this is because the owners still have to experience the sustainability curve of operations. Franchising, however, minimizes these risks since it’s already established. Franchisors also provide much information to the franchisees before any investment is made in the business. This enables the franchisees to try if the business if fit for them or not.

Wal-Mart's Growth Plan in China Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Wal-Mart's Growth Plan in China - Case Study Example The case starts with a brief history of how Wal-Mart was formed and the strategy it employed to grow under the radar of big retailers and never come in direct competition with them. It talks about the reasons of success of wall mart - everyday low prices, customer focus, and relentless cost control, partnership with suppliers and unrivalled distribution and logistics management. After giving details how Wal-Mart become a huge success in USA; the case goes on to describe its China venture. It takes us through the history of retail market in China. It talks about retail being a centrally controlled business to the phase wise opening up of the sector to foreign players. In the end the case talks about many challenges being faced by Wal-Mart in China such as income disparity , local protectionism , infrastructural deficiencies , regulatory restrictions , lack of IT infrastructure and the different consumer behaviour of Chinese consumers than their counterparts in North America. The case makes us ponder over these difficulties being faced by Wal-Mart even after 10 years of starting operations in China. 1) Everyday Low prices -This strategy of Wal-Mart was able to win a large number of customers. It helped in successfully addressing customer's disappointment in constantly changing shelf prices. More important than the promise was Wal-Mart's ability to meet this promise every time. 2) Customer is No.1 - Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart ensured that customer was treated respectfully by his employees and provided great customer service. The company came up with Sam's ten rules which became the corner stone of great customer service at Wal-Mart. 3) Small Town Locations - During the initial growth phase, Wal-Mart grew under the competition's radar. They operated in these towns which were considered as unviable by big retailers at that time. 4) Relentless Cost Control - Saving was given as much importance in Wal-Mart as was creating a sale. Wal-Mart relentlessly tried to cut costs to pass on the benefits to the customer. 5) Partnership With Suppliers - Wal-Mart provided big volumes to its suppliers but extracted a lot from them. It was always trying to push them to cut costs. Many processes being followed by suppliers were modified by Wal-Mart in order to reduce costs. 6)Unrivalled Distribution and Logistics Management - The IT infrastructure of Wal-Mart was connected with its suppliers in order to ensure that constant update on inventory requirements reach the customer. It followed Just in time approach and utilized cross docking method to reduce inventory of its stores. In analysing the Wal-Mart case we have used the long cycle process framework. The case analyses starts with identifying the major issues that Wal-Mart faces and have then gone on to analyse the same and find solutions in the last phase. Issues faced by Wal-Mart in China. 1) Immediate Issues. A) Market Segmentation Large amount of income disparities in China. The coastal regions have very high per capita income of 2117 $ where the inner and western regions have significantly less purchasing power as can be seen

Ipplepen Plc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ipplepen Plc - Essay Example The current ratio is a very good 1.82. It shows that the company’s current assets are nearly two times its current liabilities. This is a good solvency position for any company. The acid test ratio also shows a healthy liquidity position of the company, where its current assets over its stock assets are about 1.19 times its current liabilities. The figures for acid test ratio are not available for 2005. The liquidity position of the company is good, and it reflects good working capital utilization by the company. Apart from the revenue generated from operations, the company indulges in investing and financing activities. In the year 2006, the company invested to the tune of  £636,000 in Internet development, and trademarks to the value of  £30,000. The corresponding investments for 2005 were nil. Ipplepen invests its cash, at bank and in hand, under the bank deposit rates. Short term deposits are also being made at floating rates, after taking into account the meeting of t he cash requirement. The company has a good amount of undrawn committed borrowing facilities also. The bank overdrafts are charged at 5.46% per annum in 2006, which was 5.38% per annum in 2005. A slight increase in average effective interest rate is seen. Overall, the liquidity position of the company is good and the company is solvent.... The company is showing a consistent growth in all profitability measures. It is a profit making company, and there are reasons that it is worth investing in the company. Liquidity assessment The liquidity position of the company in 2006 is strong, as can be seen from the liquidity measures of working capital, current ratio, and acid test ratio. The working capital is positive and has increased from around 29,886,000 to 38,924,000 in 2006. The company has performed well in managing its capital in the previous year and this year it sees an increase in its working capital. The current ratio is a very good 1.82. It shows that the company's current assets are nearly two times its current liabilities. This is a good solvency position for any company. The acid test ratio also shows a healthy liquidity position of the company, where its current assets over its stock assets are about 1.19 times its current liabilities. The figures for acid test ratio are not available for 2005. The liquidity position of the company is good, and it reflects good working capital utilization by the company. Apart from the revenue generated from operations, the company indulges in investing and fina ncing activities. In the year 2006, the company invested to the tune of 636,000 in Internet development, and trademarks to the value of 30,000. The corresponding investments for 2005 were nil. Ipplepen invests its cash, at bank and in hand, under the bank deposit rates. Short term deposits are also being made at floating rates, after taking into account the meeting of the cash requirement. The company has a good amount of undrawn committed borrowing facilities also. The bank overdrafts are charged at 5.46% per annum in 2006, which was 5.38% per annum in 2005. A

The Effect Of Race On Poverty

The Effect Of Race On Poverty Racism has existed throughout human history, and it continues to represent significant problems for many people in the United States today. Racism is the belief that ones race is primarily, the determining factor that reflects human traits and capacity. Racist ideology generally supports the premise that a particular race is either superior or inferior to another, and that a persons social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. The distinction of racial differences, gives way to the belief of an inherent superiority of a particular race(s), while simultaneously ordering other races in a hierarchy. Institutional racism causes large numbers of individuals, who are deemed inferior, to be denied even basic rights or benefits befitting mankind. Conversely, the group that is deemed superior has, historically, been elevated to positions that allow them to enjoy preferential treatment over the so called inferior group(s). Why do people from one so cial group oppress and discriminate against people from other social groups; and why is it so difficult to eliminate? The purpose of this study considers if racial discrimination continues to represent a significant problem for African Americans and other ethnic minorities in the U.S. Some race theorist feel compelled to assert the rather pessimistic view that racism is permanent, and even the use of politics and policy will not curtail the development of racial distinction and antagonisms. Racial inequality has become an enduring, deeply regimented means of knowing and organizing the social world, and thus it is unlikely to be completely eliminated. The Black experience in the United States has enriched the fabric of American history and society in a myriad of ways, many of which have only recently been recognized. However, the overarching theme of Black and other minority group experience has been one of misery, exploitation, inequality, and discrimination. It is to this end, that those who wish to understand the minority experience in America ask the following question: Are minorities making progress in the United States? Recent battles regarding civil rights and race discrimination in the United States were fought on two fronts legal, and the publics perception of race. Legal fronts consisted of lawsuits and amended legislation prompted institutions such as schools, banks, and government agencies to lessen race discrimination. Brown vs. the board of education, the civil rights act of 1964/65, and other subsequent battles brought race discrimination to the attention of the American public. The former front involves the publics perception of race. Henry and Sears (2002) argue that public sentiment concerning African Americans is governed by a psychological blend of negative feelings and conservative values, particularly the belief that African Americans violate cherished American values. The perception of African Americans is rooted in an abstract system of early learned moral values and ideas that typically view them as social misfits. Racial conflict has plagued the United States from its inception, in particular it has been primarily driven by racial prejudice of African-American (Allport, 1979). While overt forms of racial discrimination, such as Jim crow segregation has all been eliminated in the United States, and whites opinions regarding racial issues have become more liberal; nevertheless, racial discrimination remains a significant difficulty for many ethnic minority groups to contend with in the United States. Moreover, recent research shows that racism has evolved from these overt forms of Jim Crow segregation (older belief systems which incorporated social distance between the races). One form of research has developed around the basic idea that new forms of racism has taken root in America, is the symbolic racism theory (Sears, 1988). According to Kender and Sears (1981) symbolic racism is commonly described as a coherent belief system which supports concepts that, racial discrimination is no longer a valid point of contention for African Americans, and that their disadvantage stems from personal irresponsibility, and thus their continual demand for equal treatment is not valid. Proponents of liberal optimism, on the other hand, contend that viable solutions to our nations race problems are possible. Robert parks (1950) clearly articulate key concepts of a race relation cycle. Parks argues that race relations develop in a four cycle stage: contact, conflict, accommodation, and assimilation. The first stage occurs when two or more different races of people come together, and they are obliged to interact with each other. Competing for scarce resources, they fall into conflict, which eventually gives way to accommodation, where a stable but antagonist social order fosters a social hierarchy. Finally, Parks asserts that accommodation is attained when different races assimilate through a process of cultural and physical merging. The end result of such a merger is the development of one homogenous race, where class supersedes race as the primary focal point of social distinction. Parks ascertain that race relations invariably pass through the previously mention fo ur stages, and that the present location of particular race of people, offers strong evidence to suggest not only their past but also the future path that a particular race of people will encounter. Our society, like many others throughout the world, is organized by powerful dynamics that are often very difficult to interrupt. Privilege is a predictable precursor for such things as race distinction, because the privileged group must distinguish itself from other groups. Distinctions based on race may not always be carried out with malicious intent, however, to suggest that the effects of such characterizations are inconsequential, definitely deserves examination. But, how are we to understand the realities that both produce such distinctions and the ensuing consequences that they invariably produce? Do we view them as purely accidental, or as oddities that simply seem to happen? Or is race, in fact, reflective of designed dynamics that are sown into the very fabric of our society? III. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS Does race affect income equality? In theory, income does affect the quality of life, in terms of having resources to insure ones success. The concept of income level should demonstrate rather racism remains a significant barrier for the economic advancement of African Americans and other minorities in the U.S. The issues here that are under consideration do not dispute the fact that the position of African Americans and other minorities has changed in the last generation; rather it is the less traceable issue of whether these changes can be summed-up as measurable improvement of economic equality, and consequently an improvement in the quality of life of minorities in the United States. The social economic status of Caucasians (the comparison group), African Americans, and other minorities African Americans and other minorities will be compared to discovery which group, on average, has a total family income below 25, 000 dollars. The context of relative total family income level of, individuals in a particular race, demonstrates to what degree, if any, racial equality has been achieved by considering which group is more likely to live in poverty. IV. DATA AND VARIABLES In order to empirically examine rather race remains a significant barrier for the equality of ethnic minorities in the United States, this researcher uses General Social Services (GSS) data. The GSS were designed as part of a data diffusion project in 1972. The GSS replicated questionnaire items and wording in order to facilitate time trend studies. This data collection includes a cumulative file that merges all data collected as part of the General Social Services Surveys from 1972 to 2004. The 2004 survey was composed of permanent questions that appeared on two out of every three surveys and a small number of occasional questions that occurred in a single study. The DEPENDENT VARIABLE Income Level A comparative level of income between Caucasians (the comparison group), African Americans and other ethnic minorities over time will demonstrate rather racism remains a central hindrance to the advancement of minorities in the United States. That is, I hypothesis that Caucasians will show a higher mean income from that of minorities and, therefore, a lowered propensity for having a total family income of 25,000 dollars or less. If racial equality is present between races, then, we can expect to see a somewhat uniform distribution of income between the different ethnic groups, and an average number of people in different races, living in poverty. However, if we see a significant difference between mean incomes of different ethnic groups, then, we assume that there is no real equality. The continuous variable income was converted to a dichotomous variable (because of a skewed distribution of income) where if respondents total family income is 25,000 or less, then they are considered t o live in poverty; conversely, if the respondents total family income was above 25,000 dollars per year, then they are coded as not being in poverty. Income level is measured by the GSS variable (VAR: INCOME). Respondents were asked, In which of these groups did your total family income, from all sources, fall last year before taxes that is? A fifteen point response category was used to capture respondents answers: under $1,000; $1000 to 1,999; $2,000 to 2,999; $3,000 to 3,999; $4,000 to 4,999; 5,000 to 5,999; $6,000 to 6,999; $7,000 to 7,999; $8,000 to 8,999; $9,000 to 9,999; $10,000 to 14,999; $15,000 to 19,999; $20,000 to 24,000; $25,000 or over; refused; dont know, no answer; not applicable. The variable INCOME was converted into a dichotomous variable: 1) 1= living in poverty (income $25,000 or less) 2) 0= not living in poverty (income above $25,000). THE KEY INDEPENDENT VARIABLE Race The mere distinction of individuals by race invariably gives way to the belief that slight biological differences between certain groups of people predetermines the worth, intelligence, value, and other aspects of a persons being. As a consequence, race distinction, is typically followed by the formation of preset stereotypes regarding a particular group of people, and the creation of a racial hierarchy. Distinction by race has been the catalyst, throughout mans history, for wars as well as hate-crimes, and it has caused untold human suffering not only in the U.S., but indeed, throughout the entire world. It is this authors hypothesis that race continues to plague minorities in the U.S. Race is measured by the GSS variable (VAR: RACE). Respondents were asked, What race do you consider yourself? Respondents were asked to select their appropriate race from a three-point scale: White, Black, or other (specify). The key independent variable RACE was dichotomized as follows: 1) Black or not, and 2) Other race or not. THE INDENENDENT VARIABLES: The independent variables in this study are: Age, Sex, Education, religion, political affiliation, and years of education and training. Age It is my hypothesis that the working age of an individual will be positively correlated with a higher mean income. That is, when people begin to work they will often start at the low end of the pay scale in their respective occupations. However, as they gain more experience on the job, their worth to their employer increases, and thus they can demand higher incomes. Age is measured by the GSS variable (VAR: AGE). Respondents were asked to indicate their age by selection from the approximate eight point choice category. The categories are listed as follows: 10-19 years of age (y.o.a.), 20-29 (y.o.a.), 30-39 (y.o.a.), 40-49 (y.o.a.), 50-59 (y.o.a.), 60-69 (y.o.a), 70-79 (y.o.a), 80 or over, and No answer/dont know. REMARKS: Respondents age: Data has been recoded into actual age in cols. 92 and 93. See Appendix D, and Appendix E. Age distribution, for the detailed response. The distribution for the first digit, col. 92 is given below. See Appendix N for changes. SEX Not only is income level stratified along racial dement ions, but, also by gender. Traditionally, the U.S. has always exercised patriarchal domination, and, as such men have characteristically held more prestigious employment positions that typically pay more. Therefore, I hypothesize that the mean income of men will be higher than that of women. Gender is measured the GSS variable (VAR: SEX). Code respondents sex, they were asked to indicate their gender by using the following two point response category: Male, Female; Male=1, female=2. Education Level I hypothesize that higher individual levels of education will be positively correlated with higher a mean income. Individuals who have higher levels of education will be more valuable to their employers because of special training, job skills, and knowledge allows them to perform specialized tasks. Education is measured by the GSS variable (VAR: DEGREE). Respondents were asked, What is your highest level of education? Respondents were asked to select their appropriate education level from a six-point scale which is listed as follows: 1) Less than high school, 2) High school, 3) Associate/ junior college, 4) Bachelors, 5) Graduate, and 6) Dont know. Religion Raised with I hypothesize those individuals who were raised in families that regularly attended religious services as children will have a stronger work ethic, than those who did not, consequently, those individuals who were raised with religion will possess a higher mean income than those respondents who were not raised in a family that attended religious services. Religion is measured by using the GSS variable (VAR: RELIG16). Respondents were asked, In what religion were you raised? Respondents were asked to select the religion they were raised in by making a selection from the following five-point choice selection category: Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, none, other (specify religion, and/or church denomination. The variable RELIGION was dichotomized as follows: 1) Jewish or not, 2) Catholic or not, 3) Protestant or not 4) Other religion or not, and None or not raised with any religion, is the comparison group. Political Affiliation I hypothesize those respondents who are republicans (who typically hold more traditional values) will be more positively correlated with higher mean income levels than those of other political affiliations. Political affiliation is measured using the GSS Variable (VAR: PARDYID). Respondents were asked, Generally speaking do you usually think of yourself as Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what? The variable PARDYID was dicothomised as follows: 1) Democrat or not 2) Independent or not 3) Other political party or not. Hypothesis 1: Is there any significant gap in the income of African Americans and other minorities compared to those of Caucasians in the United States, and what ethnic minorities are more likely to live under the poverty level? If we find that a particular ethnic group is more likely to live in poverty compared to Whites, then, one might conclude that racism continues to remain a significant obstacle for the economic advancement of the aforementioned minority groups. In addition to race, this study will also consider the impact of age, gender, religion, political affiliation, educational attainment, and the number of years spent obtaining formal education and training, with respect to relative income and those who live in poverty. Poverty is defined as the total family income level of respondents that falls at or under 25,000 annually. V. THE FINDINGS Frequency Distribution of the D.V. and the Key I.V. The main hypothesis of this paper singles out the dependent variable as total family annual income (VAR: INCOME), this continuous variable was converted into a dichotomous variable: 1) respondents whose total family income was 25,000 dollars or less are considered to be in poverty, and they were coded as 1; and 2) those respondents whose total family income is above 25,000 dollars were coded as 0and they are considered not in poverty. There was a total of 2,812 respondents.1, 764 respondents (71.1%) reported that their total family income was $25,000 or more (not in poverty), and 718 (28.9%) reported that their total family was income was below $25,000 (in poverty), and 330 (11.7%) respondents showed missing data for this question. The Key Independent Variable Race The key independent variable for this study is race (VAR: RACE), and this nominal variable was dichotomized as follows: 1) Black or not, 2) Other race or not (White is the comparison group). The frequency distribution for Black or not is as follows: there was a total of 2,812 respondents in this study, 377 of whom (13.4%) reported that they were Black, 2,482 respondents indicated that they were not Black, and 333 respondents failed to answer the question. The frequency distribution for Other race or not is as follows: 2812 respondents took part in the survey, and 201 persons reported that their race was Other (7, 1%), and 2,611 respondents reported that their race was not Other. Chart 1 Chart 2 Calculate Univariate Statistics. The dependent variable INCOME was converted to a dichotomous variable (in poverty or not) and it has a frequency of 2482, a mean of 0.2893, and a standard deviation of 0.45352. Most respondents in the survey had incomes that were 25,000 or more (not in poverty). The key independent variable RACE was dichotomized as follows: Black or not, and Other race or not (Whites are the comparison group). The frequency for Black or not is 2812, with a mean of 0.1341, and a standard deviation of 0.34079. The frequency for Other race or not is 2812, with a mean of 0.0715, and a standard deviation of 0.25767. AGE has a frequency of 2803, a mean of 45.96, and a standard deviation of 16.1801. RESPONDENTS SEX has a frequency of 2812, a mean of 1.54, and a standard deviation of 0.498. RS HIGHEST DEGREE has a frequency of 2811, a mean of 1.61, and a standard deviation of 1.207. RELIGION IN WHICH RAISED was dichotomized as follows: 1) Jewish or not, 2) Catholic or not, 3) Protestant or not, and 4) Other religion or not (No religion is the comparison group). Jewish or not has a frequency of 2809, a mean of 0.0228, and a standard deviation of 14924. Catholic or not has a frequency of 2801, a mean of 0.2960, and a standard deviation of 45656. Protestant or not has a frequency of 2801, a mean of 0.5598, and a standard deviation of 49650. Other religion or not has a frequency of 280, a mean of 0.0421, and a standard deviation of 20092. PARTYID was dichotomized as follows: 1) Democrat or not, 2) Independent or not, and 4) Other political party (no political affiliation is the comparison group). Democrat or not has a frequency of 2800, a mean of 0, 3425, and a standard deviation of 0.47463. Independent or not has a frequency of 2800, a mean of 0.3539, a standard deviation of 0.47827. Other political party or not has a frequency of 2800, a mean of 0.0104, and a standard deviation of 0.10126. Pearsons Correlation Analysis As hypothesized Pearsons correlation supports the premises that the total family income of Blacks, on average, is likely to fall at or below 25,000 dollars (poverty). Pearsons correlation is 0.175 (very significant); therefore we reject the null hypothesis, and accept the alternative. That is, there is a significant difference between the average total families incomes of Blacks compared to Whites. Other races appeared to earn slightly more that Whites. Pearsons correlation for Other is -0.003. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis for Others, and conclude that there is no significant difference between the average total family incomes of others as opposed to Whites. Pearsons correlation for income and other political party is -0.029, indicating a slight decrease in the number of other political party members who have a total family income of 25,000 dollars or less. Therefore, we fail to reject the null, and conclude that other political party affiliation does not significantly affect the total family income of these respondents, as opposed to Republicans. Pearsons correlation between poverty and Democrats show .064. Therefore, we reject the null, and accept the alternate hypothesis; Democrats are significantly more likely to show a family income of 25, 0000 or more a year. Democrats are less likely to have a total family income of 25,000 dollars or less. Pearsons correlation between Independent party and poverty is -0.064, which is significant, therefore we reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis. Independent party membership has a significant affect on poverty. That is Independent party members are more likely to have total family incomes of 25,000 dollars or less. Pearsons correlation between the Jewish religion and poverty is -.052 which is significant. Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis, and accept the alternative hypothesis. We conclude by stating that respondents who are Jewish are more likely to have a totally family income that is above 25,000 dollars. Pearsons correlation for Catholics is -0.55 which is significant. Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis, and conclude that Catholics are less likely to show a total family income of less than 25,000 dollars. Pearsons correlation for Protestants is -0.028 which is insignificant. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis, and reject the alternative hypothesis. We conclude that respondents who are Protestant are not likely to have incomes below 25, 0000 dollars. Pearson correlation between other religions and poverty is 0.017 which is statistically insignificant. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis, and reject the alternative hypothesis. Respondents who coded as having Other political affiliation are not likely to have total family incomes below 25,000 dollars. Likelihood Ratio Chi-Sq. 390.482** Nagelkerke R-Square .2093 *P

Black Bourgeoisie Reading Response :: Free Essay Writer

Black Bourgeoisie Reading Response In the first section of Frazier’s Black Bourgeoisie, â€Å"The World of Reality†, Frazier introduces his discussion of the interplay of class and race. He outlines the historical roots of the social place of most African-Americans in the U.S.A. and that of the black middle class. Frazier asserts the inconsequential place of middle class African-Americans and their resulting inferiority complex. He depicts the black middle class as living in a â€Å"no man’s land† in the dominant white culture of America. Frazier begins a more detailed explanation of his theories by discussing the place of the black bourgeoisie in the political and power structures of America. He contends that the black middle class has no real power in America at this time. He attributes the appearance of power to the fact that the members of the black bourgeoisie hold strategic positions in the segregated community. However, he maintains that all of these â€Å"power† positions still feed into the white power structure. Next, he discusses the break with traditional African-American culture. According to Frazier, the black middle class has abandoned the folk culture of â€Å"the black masses† in favor of shell of the middle class white world that rejected them. Therefore, the black bourgeoisie lives in what Frazier calls a cultural vacuum, disdainful of the culture of most African-Americans, dismissed by the white middle class culture. Finally, Frazier discusses the result of this displacement on the black middle class. Because the black bourgeoisie buys into the ideals of white America more and is simultaneously more exposed to its hostility, their sense of inferiority is compounded. They seek to fill this void in two ways.

Spirit Airlines Strategic Choice and Evaluation

Strategic Choice and EvaluationThe next phase associated with strategy formulation is the strategic analysis and choice phase of the process. According to Pearce & Robinson (2013), â€Å"Business managers examine and choose a business strategy that allows their business to maintain or create a sustainable competitive advantage† (p. 238). Therefore, a business such as Spirit Airlines should evaluate their current strategy and determine areas of improvement in order to grow the business in a way that aligns with their company mission.The airline industry hosts a number of significant external factors that influence business strategies and alternatives. The purpose of this paper is to evaluation and present alternative strategies for Spirit Airline’s future growth as a company. Furthermore, the following paper will seek to identify the best value discipline for Spirit Airlines and in turn suggest a generic strategy and grand strategic for the organization.Evaluation of Alt ernativesSpirit Airlines is universally known for its ultra-low-cost, low-fare airline services that provide affordable travel opportunities throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America (Spirit Airlines, 2012). Maintaining a strategically low-cost structure directly aligns with Spirit Airline’s target market, which allows the company to offer low priced basic services combined with a range of optional services for additional fees (Spirit Airline, 2012).The airline has earned a reputation for delivering cost effective fares and reliable on-time service with a no frills. In order to realize maximum growth, enhancements to the existing low cost strategy must be implemented to create a greater advantage in the market. Spirit Airlines has identified opportunities for growth with the release of the latest 10k Annual report. By the airlines own admission, the company is suffering with a failing reputation and insufficient customer service  interactions (Spirit Ann ual Report, 2012).In addition, Spirit Airlines recognizes that its current conditions, if not corrected, will have a significant impact their competitive stance in the industry. The airline industry is highly competitive with respect to routes, fees and services and although Spirit is well known for lower fares, the fares alone will not protect the company from the risk of future failure. The implementation of long term strategic goals will not only correct inefficiencies with the existing strategy, it will also focus on necessary improvements to help Spirit achieve its growth potential.Pearce & Robinson (2013) identifies the implementation of long term objectives as tools used to correct significant issues for the long run. Therefore, the solution will not only impact the present, but the future as well. According to Pearce & Robinson (2013), â€Å"Strategic managers recognize that short-run profit maximization is rarely the best approach to achieving sustained corporate growth an d profitability† (pg. 191). An evaluation of Spirit Airline’s current issues with customer service and competition warrants the use of value disciplines and new strategies.Value DisciplineBest value disciplines are similar to generic strategies; however value disciplines place significant emphasis on superior customer value, using a selected discipline. The value discipline is comprised of three values: operational excellence, customer intimacy or product leadership (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Previously it was established that Spirit Airlines would need to improve customer service interaction to experience growth in the future and gain sustainability among competitors in the market. Of the three value discipline identified, customer intimacy is the strategy that would provide the most benefit for the organization. Spirit Airlines currently uses the operational excellence strategy, as the company focuses on providing its best value products at all times.Spirit Airlineâ⠂¬â„¢s product base consists of low fares, easy online booking, on-time service, deluxe leather seating and an expanding route selection. Spirit is able to offer these amenities at a low cost due to their reduced unit operating cost and other cost cutting strategies. For example, Spirit Airlines reduces overhead expenses in the area of marketing as it utilizes its website and direct-to-consumer marketing to drive ticket sales (Spirit Airlines, 2013).The main focus of the airlines strategy is to deliver on its product base at competitively low prices by reducing overhead. While Spirit Airlines has perfected their operational excellence discipline, there is room for improvement in the customer intimacy strategy. According to Pearce & Robinson (2013), â€Å"Customer Intimacy strategy continually tailors and shapes products and services to fit the increasingly redefined definition of customer service† (p. 205). This strategy is precisely what Spirit Airlines is lacking in their c urrent business model strategy. Spirit Airlines contends that customer loyalty and intimacy are a huge risk for the organizations future success and their reputation (Spirit Airlines Annual Report, 2012).Customer intimacy strategy as it pertains to Spirit Airline will seek to better the company’s reputation by aligning customer service activities with the business model, thereby responding quickly and professionally to customer needs. Additionally, the implementation of this strategy will drive the airline to place emphasis on the profitability of a loyal customer relationship as opposed to the revenue of a ticket sale.Generic StrategyGeneric strategies enable the implementation of long term objectives and provide a foundation for how the organization will best influence the market. Pearce & Robinson (2013) defines generic strategies as, â€Å"A core idea about how a firm can best compete in the marketplace†. (pg. 195). Generic strategy includes striving for low cost l eadership within the industry, the promotion of differentiation methods to bring a unique image to the market and lastly, it impresses upon the importance of focus strategy in order to accommodate the needs of the market segment (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Currently, Spirit Airlines utilizes the generic strategy of low-cost leadership to achieve and sustain their low cost position.According to the Spirit Airlines Annual Report (2012), â€Å"Our operating costs per available seat mile is 10.09 cents, which is significantly lower than that of major network carriers, American Airlines, Delta, United, and US Airways†, (p. 7). Spirit has successful achieved this with a low-cost leadership strategy that ensures high aircraft utilization, operation of a modern single fleet type of Airbus, which is associated with lower maintenance costs and efficient flight scheduling (Spirit, 2012). The company is consistently seeking  innovative cost savings ideas to improve processes and custome r satisfaction.Continuous improvement of Grand StrategyA grand strategy is a long tern plan that provides an organization with basic direction for implementing its long term goals. Additionally, grand strategies are imperative as they provide a basic timeframe for achieving long term business objectives. The grand strategy is comprised of 15 strategic principles: concentrated growth, market development, product development, innovation, horizontal acquisition, vertical acquisition, concentric diversification, conglomerate diversification, turnaround, divestiture, liquidation, bankruptcy, joint venture, strategic alliances, and consortia (Pearce & Robinson, 2013).Spirit Airlines uses the innovation strategy to allow customers the freedom to choose buy-up options that appeal to them. Thereby unbundling packages and making it more affordable to travelers. â€Å"This innovative approach is utilized to grow the travel market and stimulate new economic activity while creating new jobsâ₠¬ , (Spirit Airlines, 2013 p. 1). According to the Spirit Airlines Annual Report, the organization lacks marketing alliances that may harm them in the future (Spirit Airlines Annual Report, 2012). Many airlines including American, Delta, United and US Airways have marketing alliances with other airlines under which they market and advertise their status as a marketing alliance (Spirit Airlines Annual Report, 2012).The Annual Report state, â€Å"These alliances, such as One World, Sky Team and Star Alliance, generally provide for code-sharing, frequent flier reciprocity, coordinated scheduling of flights to permit convenient connections and other joint marketing activities. Such arrangements permit an airline to market flights operated by other alliance members as its own. This increases destinations, connections and frequencies offered by the airline. Our lack of marketing alliances puts us at a competitive disadvantage† (Spirit Airlines Annual Report, 2012 p 18). Since one of Spirits long term objective is to gain a better competitive position in the market, the addition of a strategic alliance grand strategy would be best suited for the organization.Strategic alliances as described by Pearce & Robinson (2013) are, â€Å"Partnerships that exist for a defined period during which partners contribute their skills and expertise to a cooperative project (p. 231). In the case of Spirit Airlines, the use of alliances between other organizations related to the airline industry would work to together to gain a mutual benefit. For example, Sky Team provides comprehensive access to an extensive global network with over 1,000 destinations for traveler to explore.SkyTeam partners with 19 airlines to provide travelers with a more flexible, convenient and beneficial travelling experience (SkyTeam.com, 2013). As part of Spirit Airline’s long term objective a strategic alliance would expose the organization to a greater customer base, more routes and destinati ons. On the other hand, an organization like SkyTeam also benefits as travelers utilize their services to book travel reservations.RecommendationSpirit Airlines is currently has the lowest per seat operating cost of any other domestic airline company; however they are still confronted with strong competition in the industry (Spirit Airlines Annual Report, 2012). Therefore, additional strategy enhancements are needed to grow the company. After careful consideration of all strategies and value disciplines, it is recommended that Spirit Airlines utilizes the customer intimacy strategy to build brand and customer loyalty. As previously mentioned, an overhaul of customer service would be necessary to aid in relationship building technique between Spirit and its customer base.Another strategy recommendation previously mentioned is the implementation of a grand strategy used to determine the course of action for many of Spirits long term goals. Specifically, a strategic alliance strategy i s the most critical strategy, as it will allow the company to expand the product selection with the help of a strong mutual alliance in the industry. This strategy is a more cost effective approach than spending millions of dollars on marketing campaigns.Thereby keeping operation cost low and pass-through the benefit onto the travelers. Spirit Airlines has been successful over the years with their current strategy, but competitive position will always be a risk. Therefore, the implementation of this strategy will add competitive leverage.

Fujiwhara Effect - Two Hurricanes Interacting

Fujiwhara Effect - Two Hurricanes Interacting The Fujiwara Effect is an interesting phenomenon which can happen when two or more hurricanes form very near each other. In 1921, a Japanese meteorologist named Dr. Sakuhei Fujiwhara determined that two storms will sometimes move around a common center pivot point. The National Weather Service defines the Fujiwhara Effect as the tendency of two nearby tropical cyclones to rotate cyclonically about each other. Another slightly more technical definition of the Fujiwhara Effect from the National Weather Service is a binary interaction where tropical cyclones within a certain distance (300-750 nautical miles depending on the sizes of the cyclones) of each other begin to rotate about a common midpoint. The effect is also known as the Fujiwara Effect without an ‘h’ in the name. Fujiwhara’s studies indicate storms will rotate around a common center of mass. A similar effect is seen in the rotation of the Earth and moon. This barycenter is the center pivot point around which two rotating bodies in space will spin. The specific location of this center of gravity is determined by the relative intensity of the tropical storms. This interaction will sometimes lead to tropical storms dancing with each other around the dance floor of the ocean. Examples of the Fujiwhara Effect In 1955, two hurricanes formed very near each other. Hurricanes Connie and Diane at one point seemed to be one huge hurricane. The vortices were moving around each other in a counterclockwise motion. In September 1967, Tropical storms Ruth and Thelma began to interact with each other as they approached Typhoon Opal. At the time, satellite imagery was in its infancy as TIROS, the worlds first weather satellite, was only launched in 1960. To date, this was the best imagery of the Fujiwhara Effect yet seen. In July of 1976, hurricanes Emmy and Frances also showed the typical dance of the storms as they interacted with each other. Another interesting event occurred in 1995 when four tropical waves formed in the Atlantic. The storms would later be named Humberto, Iris, Karen, and Luis. A satellite image of the 4 tropical storms shows each of the cyclones from left to right. Tropical storm Iris was heavily influenced by the formation of Humberto before it, and Karen after it. Tropical Storm Iris moved through the islands of the northeastern Caribbean during late August and produced locally heavy rains and associated flooding according to the NOAA National Data Center. Iris later absorbed Karen on September 3, 1995 but not before altering the paths of both Karen and Iris. Hurricane Lisa was a storm that formed on September 16, 2004 as a tropical depression. The depression was located between Hurricane Karl to the west and another tropical wave to the southeast. As hurricane Karl influenced Lisa, the quickly approaching tropical disturbance to the east moved in on Lisa and the two began to show a Fujiwhara Effect. Cyclones Fame and Gula are shown in an image from January 29, 2008. The two storms formed just days apart. The storms briefly interacted, although they remained separate storms. Initially, it was thought the two would exhibit more of a Fujiwhara interaction, but despite weakening a bit, the storms stayed intact without causing the weaker of the two storms to dissipate. Sources: Stormchasers: The Hurricane Hunters and Their Fateful Flight Into Hurricane JanetNOAA National Data CenterAnnual Summary of the 2004 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonAnnual Summary of the 1995 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonMonthly Weather Review: An Example of the Fujiwhara Effect in the West Pacific OceanNASA Earth Observatory: Cyclone GulaCyclones Olaf and Nancy

Navajo Exile The Treaty of 1868

Navajo Exile The Treaty of 1868 Free Online Research Papers First Peoples of North America Since the settlement of Euro-Americans in North American territory and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation, Native American people have been greatly impacted by foreign politics. Euro-Americans and the United States government interacted mostly with these Native American tribes though the establishment of treaties, which were supposed to benefit both parties involved. However, indigenous tribes found themselves taken advantage of, not respected as a nation by foreign politics and slowly losing their way of life to the dominating Euro-American culture. One tribe that was greatly impacted by treaties and foreign policy were the Navajo people in the Southwest. Like the other indigenous tribes of North America, the Navajo people were slowly negotiated out of land and independence. The Navajo people originate from Southwest, most specifically northwestern New Mexico. They call themselves Dine, meaning â€Å"the people† and refer to their land as Dinetah, meaning â€Å"land of the people†. Their way of life included hunting, farming, tailor-made garments and in later years turned to herding as their major economic focus. Before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo between the United States and Mexico on February 2, 1848, the Navajo people interacted mostly with Mexico since they were colonized by the Spanish. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States gained more than 1.2 million square miles of territory (what we now refer to as New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California) in exchange for $15 million. However, the confrontations between the Navajo people and Mexico were now something that the United States inherited. On August 31, 1849, U.S. representatives James Calhoun and Colonel John Washington met with a group of Navaj o people to explain the United States government’s plans to build forts and settle peacefully in the region. Unfortunately, the ended in an outburst of violence and U.S. soldiers shot and killed seven Navajo’s after a dispute over a Mexican guide’s horse being stolen. Needless to say, news of the tragic event made its way to the many bands of Navajo people and they each decided where they stand on the issue of American settlement. Different influential leaders of different bands of Navajo people entered into negotiations with U.S. representatives and signed a series of treaties. In the early 1950s, the United States erected their first fort in Navajo country and named it Fort Defiance. The name itself hinted at the tension and uneasy feelings between the United States and the indigenous people of the area. In July of 1858, a group of Navajos shot and killed the black slave of the fort’s commanding officer, Captain William T.H. Brooks. The slave, known as Jim, was killed in response to the slaughter of Navajo leader Manuelito’s cattle that were grazing on land claimed by both the United States and Manuelito. Captain William T.H. Brooks than demanded that the Navajos bring him the man responsible for Jim’s murder. Instead they killed a Mexican man, brought his body to the fort and identified him as Jim’s murderer. Brooks was not convinced and dispatched his troops to Navajo country where they killed the first band of Navajo people they encountered. Unsettled land disputes and the United States’ interaction with several different Navajo leaders that could not sign treaties on behalf of all bands of Navajo, resulted in the massacre of a group of Navajo people who most likely had no knowledge of the original dispute. By the 1860s, the United States negotiated a treaty with the Navajo people that would allow members of the Navajo tribe to travel to Fort Fauntleroy and receive rations of food. Eventually, U.S. Army officials began planning a major military campaign to force the Navajo people to submit to federal authority. The Civil War gave the U.S. army stationed in New Mexico the perfect justification to wage battles against the Navajo people. In the fall of 1862, General James Carleton was assigned commander of the U.S. Army in New Mexico Territory and began his campaign to round up the scattered Navajo people and relocate them to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. â€Å"On the reservation, they would be a captive audience for whites seeking to â€Å"civilize† them by preaching Christianity and teaching them other non-Indian values. Held long enough†¦the Indians might be compelled to assimilate into mainstream American society† (Iverson, pg. 34). Despite the Navajo peoples’ at tempt to flee capture by U.S. soldiers, many bands of the Navajo tribe were rounded up and sent to Fort Wingate to prepare for the long journey to Fort Sumner. By 1864, the U.S. Army captured more than eight thousand Navajo people and forced them to walk two hundred and fifty miles to Fort Sumner. Any members of the tribe that resisted were abused or shot, women who gave birth along the way were given to special consideration as they were forced to continue on the journey, and at least two thousand men women and children died along the way. This large campaign of forced relocation is commonly known as The Long Walk, and something that has never been forgotten amongst the Navajo tribe. Once they reached Fort Sumner, the U.S. Army quickly realized how ill equipped they were to house and feed so many captives. Their initial plan to make the natives grow their own food and farm the land failed, as the farming conditions and insect problems led to crop failure. The U.S. Army eventually negotiated contracts with non-Indians to provide food for the Navajo people. Corrupt suppliers sold them spoiled food, and many of the natives suffered digestive problems and dysentery (an inflammatory disorder of the intestine that causes diarrhea). The campaign was a complete and utter failure that resulted in the Navajo tribe losing their land, being torn away from their natural way of life, and eventually being put under the control of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in January of 1867. The BIA was established in 1824 as an agency in the Department of the Interior for the sole purpose managing governmental relations with indigenous people. The construction of the transcontinental railroad brought more and more American settlers and caused the United States government to rethink its Native American policies. To make way for American settlers, the United States entered into new negotiations with Native American tribes that would lay out the terms of their confinement on reservations in Indian Territory. Out of this, the United States Peace Commission was established to negotiate treaties with the various tribes. The two members chosen to visit the Navajo tribe at Fort Sumner were Colonel Samuel F. Tappan and General William Tecumseh Sherman. In the spring of 1868, Tappan and Sherman spoke with ten representatives of the Navajo people at Fort Sumner and explained the federal policy of relocating tribes to reservations in Indian Territory. The Navajo representatives expressed the tribe’s desire to go back to their homeland, and one representative named Barboncito told the visitors, â€Å"The bringing of us here had caused great decrease of our numbers- many of us have died, also a great number of our animals†¦ Our grandfathers had no idea of living in any other country except our own†¦ When the Navajos were first created, four mountains and four rivers were pointed out to us, inside of which we should live; that [which] was to be our country was given to us by the first woman of the Navajo’s tribe. I hope to God you will not ask me to go to any other country than my own† (Iverson, pg. 38). Sherman then explained that he would be willing to consider the option of the allowing the Navajo people to return to their homeland, but that the tribe would have to live peacefully within the boundaries designated by the United States government. On June 1, 1868, the Navajo tribe signed a treaty with the United States government that would allow them to return home. Once ratified by the government, the treaty laid out the initial boundaries of the Navajo Reservation that was made up of 3.5 million acres of land that spread across northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. Another part of the treaty involved the United States providing one teacher for every thirty Navajo children between the ages of six and eighteen that had a desire to attend school. â€Å"The U.S. government also pledged to give the Navajo people seeds and farming equipment and to purchase fifteen thousand sheep and goats and five hundred beef cattle for their use. In turn the Navajos agreed not to oppose the construction of any railroad or roads through the reservation, not to raid non-Indian settlements, and not to block the building of any military posts in their midst† (Iverson, pg. 42). With the signing of this treaty, the Navajo people became one of the very few native tribes of North America that were able to return to their ancestral homeland, while other tribes were forced to endure permanent removal from their homeland and live in Indian Territory. Although the Navajo tribe was able to return to their ancestral homeland, dealings with the United States government and the tribe did not end with the signing of the Treaty of 1868. The tribe was still only allowed to return to a portion of their homeland, and land disputes between white settlers and Navajo people seemed to be never ending. Navajo sheepherders and white ranchers both wanted use of public domains and white settlers wanted to settle on land at the boundaries of Navajo land. Also, other tribes constantly raided Navajo land and the so called protection the U.S. Army pledged to provide was almost non-existent. However, there were good things that came from The Long Walk. Because the United States government dealt with the Navajo people as a whole, and not individual bands within the tribe, they began to see the need to work together. This sense of unity for the Navajo people continued in the years that followed, and as the Navajo tribe grew in numbers; they eventually en tered into negotiations with the United States government for more land. Between 1878 and 1884, the Navajo people were able to convince the United States government to give them an additional 3.6 million acres of land to accommodate its people. While most Indians were losing their land to American expansion, the Navajos were demanding more territory through their government appointed Indian agents. However, in 1882 the United States government established a reservation for the Hopi Indians that included land already given to the Navajo people. The executive order that established an Indian Reservation for the Hopi Indians stated that â€Å"Hopi land could be occupied by ‘other Indians as the Secretary of the Interior may see fit to settle thereon’ † (Iverson, 45). The United States expected both tribes to share land, overlapped previous land negotiations with the Navajo tribe and resulted in problems between the Navajos and Hopis many years later. In 1933, the Bureau of Indian Affairs instituted a policy of livestock reduction among the Navajos due to overgrazing and much damage to Navajo land. John Collier, commissioner of the BIA, was able to get a few small additions to Navajo land if the tribe reduced some of their livestock at the same time. Although Collier initially attempted to carry out this policy with the cooperation of the Navajo people, he was forced to make decisions as the tribe was very hesitant to give up their livestock. Some Navajos were taken to jail for refusing to round up livestock or for fighting the agents who were part of the reduction program. â€Å"†¦they resented the loss of their livestock- especially for their sheep- because they saw it as an attack not only upon their means of support but upon their very culture† (Iverson, pg. 61). After 1936, agents began forcibly taking livestock without explaining why and with very little sensitivity towards their importance to the Navajo people. During a public hearing in 1936, Chee Dodge warned the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs by saying, â€Å"You take sheep away from a Navajo, that’s all he knows. He isn’t going to farm or anything like that; you might give a few acres to the poor ones, but stock-raising is in their heart. That’s their work. If you keep cutting down sheep, after a while the government will have to feed these people, give them rations; you know what that will cost† (Iverson, pg. 65). After the livestock reduction program concluded, many Navajo people had to find work in small towns and big cities off the reservations. As World War II began, many native people left their reservations to work in war related industries and twice as many Native Americans enlisted in the war. â€Å"World War II probably marked the greatest change in the lives of Native Americans since Columbus mistakenly identified the Americas for the Indies† (Holm, pg. 28). There are most likely two major reasons that Native Americans had such an overwhelming turn out to support the United States in the fight against the Axis; one being economic and the other having to do with a somewhat political allegiance to the United States. The United States, not excluding Native Americans, was in an economic depression. The Navajo especially had seen their livestock and livelihood taken away from them, leaving them to fend for themselves and quickly find other alternatives to support their families. Since the military offered room, board, clothing a paycheck; the military was seen as a way to earn money, fight for their land, and send m oney home to their families. As far as allegiance to the United States was concerned, the Navajo and many other native tribes had to look to the United States to ensure their ownership of what lands they had left over from signing treaties with whites. The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 led to thousands of American and Native American men being drafted to serve in all branches of the United States armed forces. In response, John Collier, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and Jacob Morgan, chair of the Navajo Nation, called for separate Native American military units. Their reasoning was that Navajos should be in separate units because they shared a common language, meaning no time would be wasted in interpreters translating commands. Also, since Native American tribes were recognized as semi-sovereign protectorates; they were entitled separate and individual Indian military units. To affirm their sovereign status even more, Native American tribes all over the United States began to declare war free of the United States and issued formal declarations of war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Navajo tribal council was the first Native American nation to do so, declaring â€Å"†¦that there was a ‘threat of fo reign invasion’ and that ‘any un-American movement among out people will be resented and dealt with severely.’ Moreover, ‘We resolve that Navajo Indians stand ready as they did in 1918 to aid and defend out government and its institutions against all subversive and armed conflict and pledge our loyalty to the system which recognized minority rights and a way of life that has placed us among the greatest people of our race† (Holm, pg. 36-37). It was on August 7, 1943 that the Navajo code talkers made their war introduction at the United States attack on Guadalcanal. In Richard Tregaskis’ book titled Guadalcanal Diary, he writes of how a medical officer on the troop ship the night before witnessed the Navajo soldiers â€Å" ‘doing a war dance’ in the hold of the troop ship†¦ ritually preparing themselves for the dangers ahead† (Holm, pg. 53). The Navajo code talkers were called upon to transmit orders, coordinate artille ry barrages, and report casualties while at the same time perfecting their code under battle conditions and exposing themselves to the tropical diseases of the area. The idea to use the Navajo language as a United States code language during World War II came from Philip Johnston, a civil engineer in Los Angeles and the son of a missionary who lived in Navajo country. Johnston grew up speaking the Navajo language and often acted as a translator during official meetings between the Navajo tribe and the federal government. In February of 1942, United Marine Corps recruiters travelled to Navajo lands to enlist a group of thirty men fluent in the Navajo language. Navajo code talkers only had two months to create the code and be trained on the use of the various kinds of radio equipment. â€Å"It not only took a great memory to be a code talker, but also an almost unbelievable ability to use both Navajo and English correctly and quickly† (Holm, pg. 78). Navajo marines were also trained in combat just like their fellow marines, and had to step away from their radio packs and engage in the fight when things became intense. Members of the Navajo t ribe traditionally have abhorrence to dead bodies and burial grounds, and anyone who has come in contact with the dead or been around the dead for a while must take part in special ceremonies to be purified. â€Å"The Navajo code was never broken and was a great factor in winning the war in the Pacific†¦ ‘Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima! The entire operation was directed by Navajo code† (Holm, pg. 83). Despite the history between the Navajo (and Native American tribes alike) and the United States, the hope of most Native Americans was that the American system of justice would prevail and right the past wrongs done to its Native American citizens. Navajo soldiers, who returned from the war and were exposed to more of the outside world, were convinced that the Navajo nation needed to learn how to better deal with the non-Indian populace. Immediately following World War II, Congress created the Indian Claims Commission in 1946 to give rulings on various claims made by Native Americans against the United States. This was partly done to give justice to those Native Americans who suffered at the hands of the federal government, while it also was setting things up for the federal government to withdrawal from the affairs of the native people. This new federal Indian policy came to be known as Termination, because its main goal was to end the federal government’s financial responsi bilities to Native American tribes and cease with special protection of reservation lands. The Navajo nation opposed Termination, arguing that â€Å"†¦their ancestors had signed treaties and agreements with the federal government, and therefore they were entitled to the unique legal status that these treaties granted them. Although tribes were not always pleased with the way in which the federal government acted toward them, they were even warier of the state governments, most of which in the past had shown little interest in the Indians† (Holm, pg. 74). In 1950 Congress passed the Navajo-Hopi Rehabilitation Act, stating that tribe will receive $88 million over a ten-year period for internal projects such as reservation infrastructure and education. The Navajos knew that if they were survive and prosper as a tribal nation, their children and younger adults needed access to better education. In 1956 and 1957 large oil and gas fields were discovered in Navajo lands, and br ought in millions of dollars each year in oil royalties to the Navajo economy. By 1969, the Navajo people were officially referring to their great tribe as the Navajo Nation. While the Navajo Nation has come a long way since the Long Walk and the signing of the Treaty of 1868, many of the Navajo people still face poverty and unemployment. The signing of the Treaty of 1868 was the first step toward the Navajo people moving forward with a nation while not completely assimilating to their culture. The Navajo Nation has managed to act as a sovereign Indian nation, hold onto a portion of their original homeland, aid the United States in an Allied victory over the Axis during World War II and turn a federal policy like Termination into a chance for them to grow more independent. Though the future of the Navajo Nation is in no way guaranteed to be prosperous and free from conflict, the Navajo Nation still holds onto values and beliefs that helped guide their ancestors through hardships in the past. Bibliography Iverson, Peter, and Jennifer Nez Denetdale. The Navajo (Indians of North America). New York: Chelsea House Publications, 2005. Print. H., Oswalt, Wendell. This land was theirs a study of Native North Americans. Los Angeles: University of California, Oxford UP, 2009. Print. Holm, Tom. Code Talkers and Warriors Native Americans and World War II (Landmark Events in Native American History). New York: Chelsea House Publications, 2007. Print. Denetdale, Jennifer. The Long Walk The Forced Navajo Exile (Landmark Events in Native American History). New York: Chelsea House Publications, 2007. Print. Research Papers on Navajo Exile & The Treaty of 1868The Effects of Illegal Immigration19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Where Wild and West MeetBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XTwilight of the UAWCapital PunishmentAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite Religion

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