Informative Essay on Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered Accountants Essay Example

Informative Essay on Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered Accountants Essay Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered Accountants was first established in the year 1987. It is based in Charing Cross in Glasgow. It primarily provides general practice services for small and growing businesses, most of which are owner managed businesses. BCC employs eleven staff. Three of these are partners in the company and are qualified accountants. The other eight employees are both qualified and unqualified. They have one person to work on the payroll and the others can do all sorts of jobs from secretarial duties for example typing, receiving phone calls to photocopying as well as having to do all the tedious work for example, inputting data to the computers. The firm provides services in many areas such as strategic planning, management and financial accounts preparation and financial forecasting. It also provides tax planning and compliance and organisational review and in addition to all this it will provide book-keeping and payroll services to clients who require it. One area in which BCC specialise is strategic planning and it can be tricky. Obviously it is easy for the company to use the same as before policy, and maybe it works, but when a company employs the help of an accountants firm it is easier to make a proper plan. In many cases the owner of the business will not have the time to think about and plan what direction he would like to move his business in so instead he can have a consultation with an accountant, express his wishes over lunch or a coffee and the accountant can draw up a detailed strategic plan for the owner and then present it to the owner of the business. We will write a custom essay sample on Informative Essay on Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered Accountants specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Informative Essay on Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered Accountants specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Informative Essay on Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered Accountants specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This saves the business time and they will end up with a better plan as it has been done by a professional. BCC can also present a business with a financial forecast. To do this the accountant can look at trends in the overall market or just in the department the business deals with to make a forecast of what will happen in any particular market. This will help the business to plan (or the accountant to plan for them) what to invest in to make their business operate at the greatest possible profit. It can also let them see if they need to change the direction in which the business is heading to survive. BCC can also help to improve the organisational structure of a company. The organisational structure is critical to any business so obviously those that use BCC will be no different. Nowadays businesses have to be flexible, efficient and effective to cope with the growing competition for the market. To help an accountants firm will try and make an organisational structure best suited to the business targets, try and work out an appropriate staffing level, reward policies and a staff grading system and monitor financial management and performance to try and then will try and think of a better way in which to organise or run the company. Another area BCC can be employed to help in is tax planning and compliance. It can help fill in a companys tax forms so that they are all legal. This can be very useful to a company as some of the owners may not know how to fill in the complicated tax forms required for a business. Getting a qualified professional to do this will guarantee that the company comply with all the rules and regulations surrounding tax forms therefore keeping them out of trouble. In short Benham, Conway and Co. Chartered accountants can benefit small or growing businesses in many ways. It can point them in the right direction to succeed, it can make them run more efficiently at a higher profit or they can even fill in their tax returns for them. BCC has benefited many businesses in the past and should go on to do so for many years to come.

Genyornis - Facts and Figures

Genyornis - Facts and Figures Name: Genyornis (Greek for jaw bird); pronounced JEN-ee-OR-niss Habitat: Plains of Australia Historical Epoch: Pleistocene (2 million-50,000 years ago) Size and Weight: About seven feet tall and 500 pounds Diet: Probably omnivorous Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; hooved, three-toed feet About Genyornis From Genyornis Australian provenance, you might think it was closely related to modern ostriches, but the fact is that this giant prehistoric bird had more in common with ducks. For one thing, Genyornis was much more solidly built than an ostrich, packing about 500 pounds into its seven-foot-tall frame, and for another, its three-toed feet were hooved rather than clawed. The truly mysterious thing about this bird is its diet: its jaws seem to have been well-adapted to cracking nuts, but theres evidence that occasional servings of meat may have been on its lunch menu as well. Since Genyornis is represented by numerous fossil remainsboth of various individuals and of eggspaleontologists have been able to pinpoint with relative accuracy when, and how fast, this bird went extinct. The speed of its demise about 50,000 years ago, toward the end of the Pleistocene epoch, points to relentless hunting and egg-raiding by early human settlers, who reached the Australian continent around this time from elsewhere in the Pacific. (By the way, Genyornis was a close relative of another Australian mega-bird, Bullockornis, better known as the Demon Duck of Doom.)

Situation problem and solution and evaluation Essay

Situation problem and solution and evaluation - Essay Example Burning of fossil fuels results in green house gas emission (Adger, 2005, p.23). It pollutes the atmosphere. On the other hand, deforestation results in lesser rain. Limited reserve of rain water is increasing the temperature of earth’s surface. Global warming can negatively impact on the survival of earth’s life. Just a difference of few degrees in the earth’s average temperature can result major climate change (Arnold, 2011, p.121). Whole world is experiencing this climate change since 19th century. Global warming has become one of the most important global phenomenons. Greenhouse Gas emission is the major consequence of global climate change or global warming. All countries are co-operating with each other and collaboratively trying to minimize the impact of global warming on the society. Increasing green house gas emission due to unethical business practices of several organizations is posing real threat for future generation. It is assumed that if the greenh ouse gas emission increases at continuous rate, then several animal species can get wiped out from earth within next 100 years (Jamieson, 1992, pp.139-153). It is important to control the greenhouse gas emission in order to control the effect of global warming. Problem Both greenhouse gas emission and global worming have critical intergenerational effects. Carbon dioxide is considered as the most deadly and prominent greenhouse gas. The temporal diffusion of climate change can develop various collective ethical problems. Environmental damage and global climate change become most critical global threats (Maslin, 2007, p.43). Heating up of earth’s surface due to carbon dioxide and methane gas emission is prominently affecting modern civilization. Several unethical human activities are responsible for this rapid global climate change. People are trying to implement the potential opportunities that are developed due through globalization and modern technology (Postel and Richter, 2003, pp.34-35). Number of consumption of vehicles rapidly increased over last few decades. Every single individual are trying to satisfy their comfort level by application of advanced technological instruments. Refrigerators and washing machines are important daily-life consumer durable goods. Global warming is the consequence of increasing Ozone layer in atmosphere (Rijseberman, 2006, p.12). Deadly CFC released into the atmosphere by the havoc usage of refrigerators and washing machines. Moreover, consumption of fossil fuels largely increased over past few decades. Burning of fossil fuels increases the emission of methane and carbon dioxide. The number of serious human diseases, such as cancer, TB, mental disorder and respiratory problem are increasing due to atmospheric pollution and increasing GHG emission (Vanderheiden, 2008, p.34). Deforestation is highly responsible for loss of rainfall. Water is the source of life. People are cutting down rain forest in order to develop ind ustries and complexes. Day-by-day, several species of birds are wiping out from earth due to deforestation. It is affecting ecological balance as each and every animal has effective contribution in effective ecological balance. Solution It is clear from the above discussion that government of all the countries, leading global organizations and present human generation has the responsibility to control and reduce the effect of global warming. Following

Are Teachers Obliged to Supervise Students in the Cafeteria Essay - 7

Are Teachers Obliged to Supervise Students in the Cafeteria - Essay Example The teachers filed the grievances for these new assignments. According to the employers, there was standard management rights’ clause in the parties’ collective bargaining agreement which they had invoked in the present case to contain rowdy behaviour of the students, during the lunch break. The union, on the other hand, asserted that cafeteria supervision was mentioned in the agreement for the secondary teachers only and due to lack of any past practice, assigning these duties to the elementary teachers was against the contract. Yes, Union’s claim is right. There is a contractual basis, expressed in language because the contract mentions the supervision duties for the secondary teachers and not the elementary school teachers. No, there is no past evidence of elementary school teachers burdened with the added responsibilities of supervising cafeteria during the lunch break. There was also no inclusion of such in their job description as against the fact that cafeteria supervision was included in the agreement for secondary teachers. The union also claimed that the lunchtime was used by the teachers for various other educational activities like meeting parents, remediation, preparing and planning students’ performance enhancing activities etc. that were designed for the overall development of the students. Cafeteria supervision would restrict these extra activities that are an essential part of teaching aids and measures. Hence, extra duties are legally and ethically wrong. As an arbitrator, I would ensure that the elementary teachers were not burdened with the extra duty of cafeteria supervision because children in the elementary school require more educational aids and teachers-parental interaction for improved results. The roles and responsibilities of a teacher are multidimensional.   The teachers often serve as role models for their students so they need to be very meticulous and at the same time, he/she should be extremely knowledgeable so as to command respect from their students.  

Why are informants necessary to effectively combat organized crime Essay

Why are informants necessary to effectively combat organized crime - Essay Example To gain this information, designated authorities have recourse to tried and tested methods. These methods include physical and technological surveillance, infiltration of the organization by undercover agents, and last, but not the least, the use of informants. Informants used against organized crime are usually members of these criminal organizations, who decide to talk to the authorities for a variety of personal and financial reasons. Critics have often criticized the use of informants: it is believed that most informants are unreliable because they work for selfish motives, either to gain revenge on their parent organization, or in search of incentives like money and exemption from charges and punishment. Since the whole process of using informants is confidential, critics fear the abuse of the system, whereby criminals go scot free despite heinous activities because of their cooperation with the authorities in netting criminal organizations. According to critics, informants tend to blur the lines between what is lawful and what is not. But despite these objections, there are reasons why authorities continue to use intelligence from informants, and we will now discuss why despite having other options like technical and physical surveillance and undercover operations, police and other authorities continue to use informants. Technological and physical surveillance is often unable to capture the entirety of the organization, as the members use coded communication. Moroever to initially establish surveillance especially in a suspects private space, the authorities must be able to obtain proof of criminal activity in the form of advance reliable intelligence. This is where the informants come in handy, because a reliable informer is able to provide a translation for the inner codes of a criminal organization, as well as supply tangible proof against a organized crime suspect to be brought under surveillance.

Motivation of employees: Häagen-Dazs and Ben Jerrys

Motivation of employees: HÃ ¤agen-Dazs and Ben Jerrys This report provides analysis and research on motivation of employees working in Haagen-dazs and Ben Jerry. It is to find out why in todays business many employees in some companies no longer pay attention to the quality of their work. Method of analysis used for this report is by compare two companies which involved in the same area of business. It is necessary to investigate how they motivate their employees in order to keep their employees loyalty and make sure they perform their best. This report is made to provide information based on the motivation factors that could affect the employees performance level in a company. Employees in some companies operating today are not really performing well in the market. Some of them just do the job in what way they want which caused the company no longer has a lot of loyal customer and of course the companies profit will decrease. For this situation to be stopped, managers of the companies have to bring their employees to a situation whereby it is profitable and worthy for both employees and company. One of many ways to turn on the employees in the company is motivating themselves to do their very best although the manager is not around. As known, leadership styles of a company influence the level of motivation. Motivation is simply defined as what gets you started the drives that move yourself to do what you do. Motivation will lead to a state willingness of putting high effort in achieving organization goals. It is the desire, the passion that makes a human movement. Motivation is related with human psychology which shows the human attitudes, needs, and satisfaction inside human themselves, while other encourage factor from outside human caused by their leader such as manager or supervisor. So, employees motivation is influenced by the changing ambitions or leadership style he works under or socializes with. Motivation talks about how to instruct the power and potential of subordinates, to cooperate together so the company can achieves the goals, vision and mission optimally. To analyse how managers motivate their employees in todays company, this report will compare ice cream companies which are HÃ ¤agen-Dazs and Ben Jerry which have similar business environment. Case study of HÃ ¤agen-Dazs 2.1 Historical background of HÃ ¤agen-Dazs Company As known, HÃ ¤agen-Dazs is one of the most famous super premium ice cream in the world. Surprisingly although it has high butterfat content which is not good for health, it is reported that HÃ ¤agen-Dazs has higher sales than the other ice cream market segments. The history of HÃ ¤agen-Dazs starts from the year 1920s. Ruben Mattus, a young entrepreneur with the ambition of high quality of ice cream and his vision to create the finest ice cream in the world. To produce the finest ice cream available, he insisted on using only the finest and purest ingredients. In 1960, Mr Mattus, supported by his wife decided to form a new company which is dedicated to his ice creams vision. He called his new brand HÃ ¤agen-Dazs. (Haagen-dazs, 2008). HÃ ¤agen-Dazs convey the aura of the old-world tradition and craftsmanship and started out with only three flavors: vanilla, chocolate and coffee. At first, HÃ ¤agen-Dazs was only available in New York City. In 1976, Mr. Mattuss daughter opened the first HÃ ¤agen-Dazs shop. It became success and caused the expanded of the shop across the country. ÂÂ  In 1983 Mr. Mattus agreed to sell HÃ ¤agen-Dazs to The Pillsbury Company under the agreement that remained to the tradition of superior quality and innovation as the original HÃ ¤agen-Dazs.ÂÂ  In the year 2001, general millsÂÂ  bought Pillsbury and owned the HÃ ¤agen-Dazs (Haagen-dazs, 2008). In the United State, General Mills sold HÃ ¤agen-Dazs under theÂÂ  NestleÂÂ  licensing brand (Mahalo, 2010). Today, HÃ ¤agen-Dazs can be foundÂÂ  in over 900 HÃ ¤agen-Dazs Shops in 50 countries around the world. HÃ ¤agen-Dazs successfully reached their goals and target and start the me generation (Haagen-dazs, 2008). The motivation used by HÃ ¤agen-Dazs Reward from collecting point HÃ ¤agen-Dazs use the program called Star. This is an online employee reward and recognition program, which operated through a system of point. So the employees are rewarded based on their ability to achieve their monthly sales and the mystery shopping targets of the company. The point that they already have can be redeemed for gifts with the term that they must have worked for a minimum of three months. They also can collect their point first to claim more substantial gift. (allinhr, 2010) Thank you Card For the three top employees for exceeding expectation, company gives them award which takes the form of a Thank You card which says thank you in over 70 languages and has blank space which allow managers to personalize the card recognition. This certificated are displayed in the prominent place in the shop to improve the quality of work. Performance Chart Other motivation element in this company is that they have a performance chart which displayed on the staff notice board. There, employees can check the weekly and monthly sales of the company, which is colorful and easy to understand, includes the weekly motivational message from the manager complete with tips on how to improve the employees performance. (allinhr, 2010) Benefits As an employee in this company, on the top of competitive pay rates, you will also receive discount when buy ice cream. Full-time workers even get benefits packages such as healthcare coverage, and insurance (Job-application, 2010). Another benefits including saving plans advice, annual bonuses, vacation, summer hours, holiday, and flexible work arrangements. This company also offers an educational assistance for employees and family members. (Generalmills, 2011). Supporting environment As the owner of HÃ ¤agen-Dazs, General Mills provides seven diversity networks where employees can participate to exchange their ideas and information on a positive level. (Generalmills, 2011) Case study of Ben Jerrys 3.1 Historical background of Ben Jerrys Company Although the most popular flavour in the U.S. is vanilla, there also have people who like to try something new. Because of such thought, Ben Jerrys came out with funky flavours like Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey and a groovy Vermont vibe. With a $12,000 investment ($4,000 of it borrowed), Ben Cohen and Jerry, a childhood friends, opened their Ben Jerrys Homemade ice cream scoop at the corner of St. Paul and College Streets in downtown Burlington, Vermont, on 5 May 1978. (Benjerry, 2011). Jerry and Ben at first were thought about making bagel cakes, but due to the expensive equipment, they changed it to ice cream. They decided to open the scoop shop at Burlington, Vt., because it was a college town without an ice cream parlor. After their discussion, they took a $5 course on ice-cream making and in 1978 opened the first Ben Jerrys in a converted Burlington gas station. (Daniel Richards, 2011). The shop was quickly famous and became a favourite due to its ice cream taste and creative flavours. BenJerry also offer a free film festival, do some charity for unable people, and giving away free scoops on the first anniversary which continued to happen until now. This business increased significantly and by the year 1987 sales were at $32 million. In the year 2000, this company is sold to Unilever, for $326 million. Under the term of an agreement, it is said that it will continued to operate but separated with Unilever (ciputraentrepreneurship, 2010). Today Ben Jerrys franchisesÂÂ  750 worldwide (marketingteacher, 2010). The motivation used by Ben Jerrys company Ben and Jerry are very concern about people who go along through the successful of their business. They believe that a success of a company comes from the employees support. Cohen then brings back the support to the employees. Benefits According to their website, Ben Jerrys offers some benefits package that includes the paid family leave, three free pints of Vermonts Finest super premium ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbets every day. This is also a company which dedicated to the policy of non-discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity, race, veteran status, sexual orientation, religious, age, national origin, or disability (benjerry,2008). Other benefits that motivate its employees such as free health club membership, sponsored membership to local fitness centre, personal financial planning advice, and the educational cost assistance (benjerry,2008). 3.2.2 Bonus Plan All the full-timer of this company has a right to some form of compensation above their competitive salaries. In 2008, Ben Jerry also apply Variable Pay Award (VPA) plan where bonuses are given based on their individuals performance on achieving goals and targets and also based on the companys financial performance. There also another plan for Ben Jerrys full-timer that made in 2008 called Keys to Enterprise (KTE) plan. This plan focus on the bonuses and incentives which include cash, Ben Bucks which can be redeemed in the company stores, and the other awards. In 2008, the average amount of KTE in Vermont Company was over $510, up from the previous year which is $474 (benjerry, 2008). Supporting environment To further encourage retention and loyalty, Cohen and Greenfield do an experiment about the evacuation of their supervisors by their subordinates, also do the exchange of ideas and opinions freely between employees. Company also have rules that focus on the employees which actually becomes positive impact. Moreover much commendation from the other industries and the important parts is that a lot of companies follow these rules. Leadership program and training also provided to the employees (Terry et al, 2004). Other motivated factors It is called Ben Jerrys Joy Gang, started in 1987 to increase the demand upon employees the first activities included pizza and 15 minutes massages for its manufacturing employees who were working 12 hours. Jerry suggested that they should try to make fun to their official part of their company culture. (Bob smith, 2005). Comparison Table Haagen-dazs BenJerry Similarities Healthcare coverage, insurance, and educational assistance. Employees can participate to exchange their ideas and information freely. Bonuses are given based on their individual performance. Personal financial planning advice. Competitive salaries and pay rates. Differences Online employees reward by collecting point to be redeemed for gifts. Top employees whose performance were very satisfying, is given a thank you card which says thank you in over 70 languages. Discount for employees when buy ice cream. Performance chart which displayed on the staff notice board, including manager tips on how to improve employees performance. Annual bonuses, vacation, summer hours, and flexible works arrangements. Have Keys to Enterprise plan which include bonuses and incentives given by cash and Ben Bucks which redeemed for gifts. Dedicated to the policy of non-discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity. Free three pints of Vermonts finest super premium ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbets every day. It is called Ben Jerrys Joy Gang, which came from Jerrys suggestion to make fun become a part of their official companys culture. Leadership program and training for employees. Conclusion In the real situation, although companies have a similar business environment, they still have difference strategy in motivating and leading their employees. As what has been shown above, Haagen-dazs and Ben Jerry almost have the same strategy in motivating their employees, but they still have their own strategy in motivating their employees. Generally, they use such as reward, acknowledgement, and appraisal in order to trigger employees motivation. When employees feel appreciated, their motivation level is boost leading to satisfaction of employees working in the company. Therefore, it can be concluded that motivation is an encourage which comes from inside and outside human in their effort to meet their needs, get the wanted position in a company, gain power and satisfaction from their work. However, in its practice, the usage of each element is different based on the needs and desire of each human.

The Life of Christ :: essays research papers

the oneitself â€Å"America’s Career University.† It has campuses on two continents: a campus in Gothenburg, Sweden, and six campuses in the United States. The University also participates in international joint venture programs with the IHM Business School in Sweden and with the Central Hotel School in Israel. Johnson & Wales University has three colleges: Culinary Arts, Business, and Hospitality. It offers both traditional and nontraditional programs of study: associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in business, food service, hospitality, travel and tourism, technology, and a doctor of education degree in educational leadership. The University also offers classes in English as a Second Language (ESL). The University operates on a trimester system. As of Spring 2000, it had an enrollment of more than 12,000 students at all campuses, including 1,119 international students from 95 countries (Gagnon, 2000, p. 32). However, for the purpose of this applied dissertation, the study will be focused on the Providence campus only. Gagnon reports the 1999 racial/ethnic breakdown at the Providence campus: White 6,072; Black 1,013; Non-resident/Alien 836; Hispanic 438; Asian/Pacific Islander 230; and American Indian/Alaskan 25. She further reports the breakdown of the international students by their region of origin at all campuses (most international students are concentrated in the Providence campus): Asia 42.3 %; Europe 18.9 %; Middle East 15.3 %; Latin America and Caribbean 13.0 %; Africa 9.2 %; and all others 1.3 % (p. 44). Because of the large number of international students, the Providence campus of the University has an International Student Center that works closely with the Counselin g Services. Whenever an international student exhibits psychological or academic problems, he or she is referred to a Multicultural Counselor or to a Student Development Counselor. In addition, the Providence campus has a Multicultural Center that serves its diverse student body. Historically, in early colleges and universities in the U.S.A., both international faculty and students had to bond together for protection from the community to cope with their cultural differences (Kenneth Varcoe, personal communication, August 5, 1994). Some international and American students have traveled or resided in other countries and have experienced various intercultural encounters. However, others have never left their homeland and have little knowledge and understanding of other cultures. Many American and international students reported that they are experiencing intercultural miscommunication and misunderstandings because of a lack of information about the culture of others. The miscommunication and misunderstandings often occur among faculty/staff and students from different cultural backgrounds at Johnson & Wales University.

Disadvantages of Playing Video Games Essay

In the last several years the interactive games have had an amazing development in terms of image quality and variety of games. This has led to children and adults spend more time gaming and less time sharing with their families and friends. There are many significant disadvantages of playing video games. First, electronic games might have a negative impact over personal physical health. Gamers become lazy because they do not exercise every day. For example, they often eat only junk foods while playing, so they can become obese. Besides that, players have weak muscles because they do not exercise continuously, so their physical condition decreases. Moreover, their visibility is reduced by the time they are exposed in front of TV. When competitors spend a lot of time playing interactive games, their eyesight is damaged; as a result, they might need glasses. If gamers’ visibility decreases they have terrible headaches every day; consequently, they do not can sleep efficiently. The second disadvantage is that video games negatively affect the mental health of the people. Players can have a game addiction so they reduced contact with the environment. Playing electronic games loses the competitors interest in doing their daily activities such as hobbies or sports; thus, they do not perform outdoor activities. Furthermore, gamers’ attitude changes with the interactive games because they can be isolated, so they lack social interaction with their families and friends. Additionally, the children behavior can be affected by the excessive gaming because they do not difference between real life and in-game life. When a kid often plays video games, he wants to respond to any problem like his favorite character in the game, so this promotes his violence. Also, electronic games might produce mood swings in very young people; as a result, they have problems behavior in stress situation. Finally, players are irresponsible because do not mind their duties. The students fail in the exams so they repeat the grade. If learners do not do their homework, they do not practice enough their classes; thus, they have a low mark in their test. Besides that, the pupils do not review the lessons because they prefer on-line activities; consequently, they do not study adequately. Moreover, workers fail in their jobs. The gamers become disorganized with their jobs because they do not sleep sufficient by gaming; then, they lost their employment. Not only that, player is unable to concentrate on their work because he is thinking about interactive games all day, so he do not satisfy company expectations. In conclusion, playing video games has several important drawbacks. They are decreased physical condition, play compulsively, isolating, and feckless. Parents should be more careful with the time their children are exposed to electronic games, and adults should try to maintain an active social life.

Aboriginal Literature essays

Aboriginal Literature essays Native traditions and history were passed down through the generations using the art of storytelling. Storytelling was not only useful for Natives in this way but became a part of the tradition and history they passed down to their children. Unlike Euro-Canadian people, Aboriginal people did not put their oral traditions into writing but have increasingly begun to do so in the present day. This may keep these traditions from dying out as many already have, but this may also destroy the showmanship and meaning of Aboriginal storytelling. This is one of the most important critical debates pertaining to Native literature; is the written word destroying the effect of Native oral tradition or is it saving it? This essay will show that translating and converting Native oral stories to text may keep them alive longer than those who tell them, but the written word will never capture the full effect of Native oral storytelling. In the past, Native people did not document their history or traditions on paper. When the Europeans came, their traditions were disregarded because of this fact. This, and the fact that oral traditions were easily lost with the death of a particular culture or language, is the reason why Natives have lost so much of their history. As the ethnographer A.F Chamberlain wrote of the Indians of Scugog Island: These stories are only known to the older generation...and will soon be lost to oblivion if not taken down at once (Clark xii). Since the younger generations of Natives had less interest in their oral traditions the only way to save the traditions was to write them down; and this began the trend of Native written literature. In this way the Native traditions would live on even if they were not passed on orally. Unfortunately, the text versions of the stories do not convey everything that the oral stories themselves were intended to. When Native oral traditions are collected and transcribed,...

The Causes of the American Civil War

The Causes of the American Civil War The causes of the Civil War may be traced to a complex mix of factors, some of which can be traced back to the earliest years of American colonization. Principal among the issues were the following: Slavery Slavery in the United States first began in Virginia in 1619. By the end of the American Revolution, most northern states had abandoned the institution and it was made illegal in many parts of the North in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Conversely, slavery continued to grow and flourish in the plantation economy of the South where the cultivation of cotton, a lucrative but labor intensive crop, was on the rise. Possessing a more stratified social structure than the North, the Souths slaves were largely held by a small percentage of the population though the institution enjoyed broad support across class lines. In 1850, the population of the South was around 6 million of which approximately 350,000 owned slaves. In the years prior to the Civil War almost all sectional conflicts revolved around the slave issue. This began with the debates over the three-fifths clause at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which dealt with how slaves would be counted when determining a states population and as a result, its representation in Congress.   It continued with the Compromise of 1820 (Missouri Compromise) which established the practice of admitting a free state (Maine) and slave state (Missouri) to the union around the same time to maintain regional balance in the Senate. Subsequent clashes occurred involving the Nullification Crisis of 1832, the anti-slavery Gag Rule, and the Compromise of 1850. The implementation of the Gag Rule, passed part of the 1836 Pinckney Resolutions, effectively stated that Congress would take no action on petitions or similar relating to the limiting or abolition of slavery. Two Regions on Separate Paths Throughout the first half of the 19th century, Southern politicians sought to defend slavery by retaining control of the federal government. While they benefited from most presidents being from the South, they were particularly concerned about retaining a balance of power within in the Senate. As new states were added to the Union, a series of compromises were arrived at to maintain an equal number of free and slave states. Begun in 1820 with the admission of Missouri and Maine, this approach saw Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin join the union. The balance was finally disrupted in 1850, when Southerners permitted California to enter as a free state in exchange for laws strengthening slavery such as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. This balance was further upset with the additions of free Minnesota (1858) and Oregon (1859). The widening of the gap between slave and free states was symbolic of the changes occurring in each region. While the South was devoted to an agrarian plantation economy with a slow growth in population, the North had embraced industrialization, large urban areas, infrastructure growth, as well as was experiencing high birth rates and a large influx of European immigrants. In the period before the war, seven of eight immigrants to the United States settled in the North and the majority brought with them negative viewpoints regarding slavery. This boost in population doomed Southern efforts to maintain balance in the government as it meant the future addition of more free states and the election of a Northern, potentially anti-slavery, president. Slavery in the Territories The political issue that finally moved the nation towards conflict was that of slavery in the western territories won during the Mexican-American War. These lands comprised all or parts of the present-day states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. A similar issue had been dealt with earlier, in 1820, when, as part of the Missouri Compromise, slavery was permitted in the Louisiana Purchase south of 36 °30N latitude (the southern border of Missouri). Representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania attempted to prevent slavery in the new territories in 1846, when he introduced the Wilmot Proviso in Congress. After extensive debate it was defeated. In 1850, an attempt was made to resolve the issue. A part of the Compromise of 1850, which also admitted California as a free state, called for slavery in the unorganized lands (largely Arizona New Mexico) received from Mexico to be decided by popular sovereignty. This meant that the local people and their territorial legislatures would decide for themselves whether slavery would be permitted. Many thought that this decision had solved the issue until it was raised again in 1854 with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Bleeding Kansas Proposed by Sen. Stephen Douglas of Illinois, the Kansas-Nebraska Act essentially repealed the line imposed by the Missouri Compromise. Douglas, an ardent believer in grassroots democracy, felt that all the territories should be subject to popular sovereignty. Seen as a concession to the South, the act led to an influx of pro- and anti-slavery forces into Kansas. Operating from rival territorial capitals, the Free Staters and Border Ruffians engaged in open violence for three years. Though pro-slavery forces from Missouri had openly and improperly influenced elections in the territory, President James Buchanan accepted their Lecompton Constitution, and offered it to Congress for statehood. This was turned down by Congress which ordered a new election. In 1859, the anti-slavery Wyandotte Constitution was accepted by Congress. The fighting in Kansas further heightened tensions between North and South. States Rights As the South recognized that control of the government was slipping away, it turned to a states rights argument to protect slavery. Southerners claimed that the federal government was prohibited by the Tenth Amendment from impinging upon the right of slaveholders take their property into a new territory. They also stated that the federal government was not permitted to interfere with slavery in those states where it already existed. They felt that this type of strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution coupled with nullification, or perhaps secession would protect their way of life. Abolitionism The issue of slavery was further heightened by the rise of the Abolitionist movement in the 1820s and 1830s. Beginning in the North, adherents believed that slavery was morally wrong rather than simply a social evil. Abolitionists ranged in their beliefs from those who thought that all slaves should be freed immediately (William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglas) to those calling for gradual emancipation (Theodore Weld, Arthur Tappan), to those who simply wanted to stop the spread of slavery and its influence (Abraham Lincoln). Abolitionists campaigned for the end of the peculiar institution and supported anti-slavery causes such as the Free State movement in Kansas. Upon the rise of the Abolitionists, an ideological debate arose with the Southerners regarding the morality of slavery with both sides frequently citing Biblical sources. In 1852, the Abolitionist cause received increased attention following the publication of the anti-slavery novel Uncle Toms Cabin. Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the book aided in turning the public against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Causes of the Civil War: John Browns Raid John Brown first made a name for himself during the Bleeding Kansas crisis. A fervent abolitionist, Brown, along with his sons, fought with anti-slavery forces and were best known for the Pottawatomie Massacre where they killed five pro-slavery farmers. While most abolitionists were pacifists, Brown advocated violence and insurrection to end the evils of slavery. In October 1859, financed by the extreme wing of the Abolitionist movement, Brown and eighteen men attempted to raid the government armory at Harpers Ferry, VA. Believing that the nations slaves were ready to rise up, Brown attacked with the goal of obtaining weapons for the insurrection. After initial success, the raiders were cornered in the armorys engine house by local militia. Shortly thereafter, US Marines under Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee arrived and captured Brown. Tried for treason, Brown was hanged that December. Before his death, he predicted that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away; but with Blood. Causes of the Civil War: The Collapse of the Two-Party System The tensions between North and South were mirrored in a growing schism in the nations political parties. Following the compromise of 1850 and the crisis in Kansas, the nations two major parties, the Whigs and Democrats, began to fracture along regional lines. In the North, the Whigs largely blended into a new party: the Republicans. Formed in 1854, as an anti-slavery party, the Republicans offered a progressive vision for the future that included an emphasis on industrialization, education, and homesteading. Though their presidential candidate, John C. Frà ©mont, was defeated in 1856, the party polled strongly in the North and showed that it was the Northern party of the future. In the South, the Republican Party was viewed as a divisive element and one that could lead to conflict. Causes of the Civil War: Election of 1860 With the division of the Democrats, there was much apprehension as the election 1860 approached. The lack of a candidate with national appeal signaled that change was coming. Representing the Republicans was Abraham Lincoln, while Stephen Douglas stood for the Northern Democrats. Their counterparts in the South nominated John C. Breckinridge. Looking to find a compromise, former Whigs in the border states created the Constitutional Union Party and nominated John C. Bell. Balloting unfolded along precise sectional lines as Lincoln won the North, Breckinridge won the South, and Bell won the border states. Douglas claimed Missouri and part of New Jersey. The North, with its growing population and increased electoral power had accomplished what the South had always feared: complete control of the government by the free states. Causes of the Civil War: Secession Begins In response to Lincolns victory, South Carolina opened a convention to discuss seceding from the Union. On December 24, 1860, it adopted a declaration of secession and left the Union. Through the Secession Winter of 1861, it was followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. As states departed, local forces took control of federal forts and installations without any resistance from the Buchanan Administration. The most egregious act took place in Texas, where Gen. David E. Twiggs surrendered one-quarter of the entire standing US Army without a shot fired. When Lincoln finally entered office on March 4, 1861, he inherited a collapsing nation. Election of 1860 Candidate Party Electoral Vote Popular Vote Abraham Lincoln Republican 180 1,866,452 Stephen Douglas Northern Democrat 12 1,375,157 John C. Breckinridge Southern Democrat 72 847,953 John Bell Constitutional Union 39 590,631 The Causes of the American Civil War The Causes of the American Civil War Free Online Research Papers The Civil War was the bloodiest conflict ever fought in U.S. History. This war had divided the American Nation between the North (which was designated ‘The Union’) and South (which was ‘the Confederacy’). The causes of this war are very wide ranged and debatable. However, the most debated, relevant, and obvious causes would include: Conflicts of slavery, the election of President Abraham Lincoln, and the secession of southern states. The conflict of slavery has been the most debated cause of the entire conflict of the American Civil War. The north and south had many contradicting perspectives on the way a lifestyle should be. The north put forth an immense effort to push their beliefs of the immorality of slavery in order to get the forced servitude of human beings outlawed in all parts of the United States. The south, inverse to the northern principle, believed slavery was a necessity for the production of cotton that largely contributed to the economic growth of U.S. The standard southern ideology was that slaves were personal property of their owners, which was a southern principle that was protected under the Constitution of the United States. This disagreement was the first main stepping stone to the War Between the States. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the U.S. was the last straw, so to speak, for the south. As a result of Lincoln’s proposal of compensation emancipation and being referred to as the leader of a Black Republican party during his clash with Stephen Douglas, he was basically dubbed as an anti-slavery supporter. The south believed that, with Abraham Lincoln as president, they had no chance to gain the representation in the Senate and House that they believed they deserved. Due to Lincoln’s election, a month afterwards, South Carolina seceded the United States. South Carolina was later followed by Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and then Texas. As a consequence of Lincoln’s beliefs of preserving the Union, he privately attempted to persuade the seceded southern states to return. It was established the secession was illegal, though the constitution gave no power to stop it. So, as a result, the south drafted its own constitution and formed the Confederacy. Then shortly after, the Confederacy believed it was unnecessary for the Union forts to be in Confederate territory. When the Union ignored this claim, the Confederacy attacked Fort Sumter. The attack on a Union Fort began the Civil War. So, to put it briefly, it was mainly the disagreements between two different ways of life that created the conflicts that lead to the bloodiest war in America’s history. Once the south lost hope in maintaining control in the Senate and House when Lincoln was elected, they alleged that their way of life was then threatened. So accordingly, the south revolted to preserve their lifestyle and become independent from Unites States, which was under the control of the faction (the Union) that had a contradictory way of life from the south. Research Papers on The Causes of the American Civil War19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceQuebec and CanadaThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationPETSTEL analysis of IndiaTwilight of the UAWAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Capital PunishmentAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeBringing Democracy to Africa

News Paper Economic issue Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Housing issues and housing solutions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Housing issues and housing solutions - Essay Example The residential facilities are poorly repaired and maintained and the security in the locality is compromised. This has seen several tenants shift to other residential facilities not managed by the firm. This discourse is an advice to Riverslake Housing Association in its housing management strategies. Involving tenants in vital decision making in matters regarding housing estate management have proven to be of great importance. For instance, In Tamworth, Landlord Services Tenancy agreement was reviewed on consulting the tenants and it is one of the best agreements ever achieved. Tenants also participated in the initiation of Housing Revenue account (HRA) and this has been helpful to both the tenants and the landlords. Such involvement also saw the launch of various projects dubbed ‘plant a pot’ and ‘Grow your own’ and these are meant to conserve the environment and create a sense of belonging among the tenants. Furthermore, ‘the love where you live’ and ‘BIG Tidy Up’ campaigns has resulted to clean living environments and united tenants, this would not be achieved if every decisions were made by the housing estate managers. Consulting tenants ensures that services provided are accordance to the tenants needs. Tenants would be exact or precise on their wishes and needs and this would help the housing estate managers save time and resources to fix specific areas as per the tenants needs. Furthermore, this would retain the existing tenants and attract more as there wishes and needs are well taken care of. Major housing management firms in California opted to involve their tenants in major decision making and this increased their income by 12% according to the report dubbed, ‘involving tenants’ This encourages them to pay their dues or rent in good time and this advantageous to the housing managers (Audit