John Sutter and the Western United States Essay

During the mid-1800s, people were eager to explore most of the United States in search for a better place to live in. Those who came from Europe settled in most parts of the Eastern United States. But there are those who ventured further, going deeper into the West. One of them is John Sutter, born in Germany and of Swiss descent. He became a captain of the Swiss Army, and was driven away from his family because of debts, going to the United States to look for a greener pasture. According to Albert Hurtado in his book, John Sutter: a Life on the North American Frontier, John Sutter deserves to have a title of an entrepreneur. All his achievements were the product of his hard work and entrepreneurship (Hurtado). He roamed the United States by using these characteristics to earn enough money to fund his ventures. The Eastern part of the United States at that time were already populated, where trade and commerce is flourishing all over the place. He joined a trading venture to New Mexico, where he was successful enough, returning with wine, several mules and money. When he celebrated the Independence Day of 1839 in Monterey California, he met Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado. This meeting paved the way for a settlement grant of more than 48,000 acres of land for Sutter, the start of the monumental â€Å"New Helvetia Settlement† which pioneered American life in the Western United States. One of the few requirements for John Sutter to be awarded the land grant was to become a citizen of Mexico. This would give him thousands of acres of land where he can establish a pioneering settlement. In less than a year after becoming a Mexican citizen, he was awarded the vast lands in the central valley of California. In order to properly run this vast acreage of agricultural lands, he employed various Native Americans, as well as welcomed immigrants from different places. John Sutter’s Fort became a famous stop-over for those wishing to venture into new lands. With this account from Albert Hurtado’s book, we can see that the Western part of the United States at John Sutter’s time promises new beginnings to those who wish for a different life. The East was somehow been congested with various people migrating from other nearby countries. Because of this, some wanted, and even dared to explore other parts of the â€Å"foreign land† they have settled in. But not all parts of the west are conducive for living. In the account of John Bidwell, he describes most of the west especially California as â€Å"the country was brown and parched; throughout the State wheat, beans, everything had failed†¦cattle were almost starving for grass, and the people, except perhaps a few of the best families, were without bread, and were eating chiefly meat, and that often of a very poor quality† (Bidwell). This means that the west may promise a good life, but there are also risks in living there. It is still an uncharted territory for the migrants, and that they were all going to start from scratch. They have no clear idea on how to handle things at first, especially because they did not originate in the area. However, it is also filled with resources just waiting to be exploited. According to Bidwell, the place also has some good points, â€Å"there were no other settlements in the valley; it was, apparently, still just as new as when Columbus discovered America, and roaming over it were countless thousands of wild horses, of elk, and of antelope† (Bidwell). The Western part of the United States was truly a place of uncertainty, wherein you’ll have to risk everything if you choose to settle in the area. John Sutter was able to survive and was successful in establishing a settlement in the area. In a sense, we could say that Sutter was successful in taming the Wild West. Sutter’s Fort housed a number of people ranging from natives to settlers, even those who were lost in their way, and these people contributed well enough in cultivating the vast lands of the settlement. In a few years time, John Sutter became a major supplier of horses, cattle, and wheat (Doti). The Western United States became a melting pot of different cultures. These cultures blended well with each other despite of their differences. This is essential for the success of the settlement, where everyone has to do their part in order for their efforts to flourish. John Sutter bridged the gap between the settlers, the natives and even the bordering Mexicans. Sutter’s works not only gave rise to a new settlement, but also to a new world found in the West. This is a very important contribution in the history of the nation, as it expanded the country’s influence across the borders. The culture in the Eastern United States at that time was generally influenced by the countries which they came from. Most these are European countries that are why they have developed mixtures of various European cultures. On the other hand, the Western United States is not only a mixture of European cultures, but also accompanied by various customs of the Native Americans and the bordering Mexican culture. This diversity has proven great importance in the formation of the Western United States, because western settlements were the products of various cultures cooperating with each other in so that they would achieve peace and order in their respective communities. Works Cited: Bidwell, John. â€Å"Life in California before the Gold Discovery†. 1890. The Century Magazine. November 19 2007. . Doti, Lynne Pierson. â€Å"John Sutter: A Life on the North American Frontier Book Reviews†. 2006. Chapman University. November 19 2007. . Hurtado, Albert L. John Sutter: A Life on the North American Frontier. 1st edition ed: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006.

Growing Importance of the Global Economy Essay

How has the growing importance of the global economy affected your organization’s competitiveness? The global financial crisis continues to be a severe shock to most enterprises. The initial economic downturn, the worst since the Great Depression, has affected almost all sectors of the economy. Everyone and every organization that has felt the pain. The company I work for serve the basic insurance needs of the fast-growing but largely under-served American middle income market. While many insurers have moved up-market, we are firmly committed to helping working families and retirees get basic protection through long-term care, life and supplemental health insurance products, as well as annuities How has your organization responded to this? My company offer consumer’s choice in how they buy insurance products. They can buy direct from Colonial Penn, which has special expertise in direct sales. They can purchase products across the kitchen table through career agents from Bankers Life and Casualty Company, independent agents of our Washington National Insurance Company unit or through its Performance Matters Associates marketing arm, both of which also offer voluntary benefit products to employees at the workplace. What recommendations would you make for your organization to improve its strategic decision-making? I would have consolidated and integrated all operations under a single resource with the goal of delivering improved customer service even as we reduced costs. A streamlined application and straight-through processing system has shortened customer and agent turn-around times and lowered application costs. 2013 CNO Financial Group, Inc. http//www.cnoinc.com

Do you think that religion is as important today as it was in the past?

Religion involves the relationship between mankind and what is regarded as sacred. Religion almost always includes the belief in the supernatural and a code of ethical behavior. Why do men suffer? What is the nature of the Universe and How it is governed? What is the nature of man and what is his destiny? Religion tries to answer the questions of ultimate existence and of life and death and human and destiny. Many religions hold the universe is governed by God. â€Å"Through religion man may see meaning in the universe and find a personal role in it† (Berger 50).Thousands of years ago, religion played a very vital role in the lives of the people. Even though that time, things were not that complicated. People still has a closer connection to God. People then put a greater emphasis on going to church, fellowshipping with their brother’s and sister’s in the Lord and in maintaining their relationship with their creator.As of now, in our present times I think that Re ligion is ten times important than it was before. As the modern world is evolving and is now being introduced to different kinds of beliefs and theories that could likely shake our foundation of faith for God. The basis and the only foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ. We must hold on to him more especially these days that there are many deceivers out there that are being used by the enemy to destroy us and to keep us away from the loving arms of God. When we don’t have a strong foundation of our relationship to God, we can easily yield to the temptations and offerings that Satan will present to us, like the technology of today. If we don’t know how to control the usage of technology of today, we can be manipulated and controlled by it. That is just one of the tactics of Satan to let us fall into the pit he is preparing for us, for us to be kept away from God’s destiny for us.Today, there are many existing religions. There are the Protestants, Orthodox and t he Roman Catholics. Like in the past, there was a Counter Reformation that happened. Which was also described as â€Å"the Catholic Reformation and in this period of the Reformations, it included a series of wars that ended in 1648† (Berger 53).The Reformation seemed primarily a religious upheaval; it was also a complex social and political movement. A revolt against the religion and the way of life. It was a part of the transition from medieval to modern times. The revolt accompanied a change in the political, economic, intellectual, and ecclesiastical traditions of the medieval age of faith. The results touched every aspect of human life.The Counter Reformation was a struggle against Protestantism; it was a movement for the spiritual and moral reform within the Catholic Church. â€Å"The wars that accompanied the Reformation were basically political, but they were closely bound up with the religious issues† (Berger 53). That time, there was a great competition betwee n the Protestants and the Catholics. The struggle dragged on because the stronger could not conquer and the weaker would not compromise.It was said that â€Å"the Western Church was split between Catholics and Protestants. By the latter part, the dividing lines had hardened, during the following centuries they changed very little. The protestant split into several groups, and later they subdivided again and again† (Berger 54).The Reformation was a historical event of great significance. It became a part of a larger movement that led to the development of independent nations and modern democracy.In this present time, Reformation still exists in such a way that there are still many existing religions now. There are still issues regarding Catholicism and its doctrines. There are still political movements that are being influenced by the religious sects. There still existing competitions between religions now, in which they compete if what religion will really help people reach h eaven, let their prayers be heard by God and be with their Creator.There are still a number of religious issues being tackled by now. The issues that keeps affecting the different aspects of human life. Different religions keep on competing for them to invite individuals to come and join with them. Sometimes because of these, the essence of having a religion is lost. The real perspective of establishing a deeper relationship with God is lost because of the overwhelming issues that could bother the spiritual and emotional aspect of a person.â€Å"The real role of having a religion is to develop a deeper and serious relationship with our Almighty Creator† (Berger 54). God does not base our salvation on what religious denomination we join to. He looks at the position of our hearts and of we really love Him and long to be with Him sincerely. He does not base his judgment on the things we do and achieve. It is our hearts that He looks up to.  Whatever we have, whatever we do and whatever group we are simply does not matter to God at all. He just wants us to love Him above all, above all the things that this world offers to us, and also for us to not yield to the wiles of the enemy. We should guard the health of our body, soul and Spirit. For we human are described as â€Å"fragile and weak† (Berger 67). We should be clean spiritually so as not to hurt God and for us to be a blessing to other individuals in this world, that wherever we are and whatever we do; we do all those things for the glorification of His name.Reference: Berger, Gilda. Religion .Watts, 1983.

Assignment 10 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

10 - Assignment Example He uses the concept of acquisition of green card and undocumented migrants. American cultural imperialism for instance, has resulted into creation of a dominance culture that people from other countries admire to experience. Consequently, other cultures use unofficial strategies to gain access to the superior American culture for instance by marrying an individual from the dominant culture to obtain green card (DeCoy Gallerina 0:06). Gomez-Pena remains concerned about the plight and fate of the less dominant cultures that remain victimized of their strategies of accessing the dominant cultures. He challenges the officers who provide undocumented migrants access and the natives who marry aliens to help the latter in obtaining green Card. I became a border crosser when I violated the inherent immigration policies by gaining access to the country as an alien with non-residence status. In this class, I have crossed cultural borders especially frontiers off values and believe of other classmates from different countries. In using materials including colorful feathers, I showed my hybridity and

The Collapse of the U.S.S.R Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Collapse of the U.S.S.R - Research Paper Example Communism as an alternative economic order was argued to have been â€Å"designed to avoid the wasteful and chaotic competition of capitalism and to move the country quickly ttoward industrial development.† (Strayer, 1998, page 6). It was the economy of Soviet Union that had given the material foundation for the country to become victorious in the Second World War. It also viewed as a model of rapid industrial growth for a number of Third World countries. Such was a planned economy which believed in the power of the state to plan and dictate what needs to be produced for users and consumers (Strayer, 1998). This paper will attempt to explain the collapse of USSR as a regime in the light of the experience of other empires, in relation to how ordinary mortals behave and the underlying concepts of communism and alternative economic order of capitalism Soviet was known to have its huge and growing military expertise during the Cold War. However such claims to superpower status were believed to be grounded on breakable and weakening economic foundation as seen in the 1970s and 1980s. This weak economic condition was said to have been caused by an "imperial overstretch". (Strayer, 1998, p.17). Instead of prioritizing its economic needs, USSR needed to join or maintain the race for nuclear and conventional weapons. This was also the reason why USSR made its expensive commitments in Eastern Europe and Third World. This heavy spending was believed to have undermined strongly its domestic consumer economy in the process. The Soviet leadership was aware of the problems of relationship between its international standing and declining economic base and the perception substantially caused the needed reform. Reform efforts in the late 1980s because of these perceived problems in the regime were actually made but they were not enough to prevent the collapse. The failure of communism as

Ethical Code of Conduct Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Code of Conduct - Case Study Example The case study "Ethical Code of Conduct" talks about an ethical code of conduct which exists at least in every profession. In the accounting profession, for instance, every accounting officer has to abide by the rules and ethical principles of accounting. An accountant must maintain his loyalty to the ethical provisions. Every accountant has to ensure that no one influences him to do something that would be unethical no matter the circumstances. The reason for this is that the result may be as stated earlier, criminal and ethical violations and also may be detrimental to many others who have interests in the company. In the case of Northstar Company, the accountant is faced with an ethical issue. He has to increase expenses arbitrarily for no justifiable reasons that would also affect everyone in the company. As a result of increasing expenses despite having had low-income investors capital may be at risk considering there is no guarantee that increasing expenses would justifiably in crease income. In fact, the President seems to be having no good motive for the company other than getting his incentive. Fooling the company that it made profits yet it does not mean well for the company’s future. The company may continue making losses a matter that would lead to loss of employment for other members of staff. They could lose essential factors for the investors such as markets through improper financial investments. Under these circumstances, the best thing to do is find out why there was low income during the current year.

History US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

History US - Essay Example to world power status. The New Deal provided numerous economic programs that stabilized the economy through giving support in banking and finance, unemployment, and agriculture. In banking and finance, President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered significant credit facilities to industry and agriculture. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) also insured savings-bank deposits up to $5,000. Moreover, to reduce unemployment that affected 13 million Americans, Roosevelt created job-stimulating programs. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a program that gave mostly conservation jobs to young men between 18 and 25 years of age (IIP Digital, 2008). The Public Works Administration (PWA) gave employment to skilled construction workers for different medium- to large-sized projects, among other programs (IIP Digital, 2008). In addition, to improve agricultural revenues, the Congress passed the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) in 1933. It gave economic relief to farmers by increasing crop prices throug h paying farmers a subsidy to reimburse them for deliberate cutbacks in production (IIP Digital, 2008). Despite these job and financial programs, the New Deal did not restore the Gross National Product (GNP), consumption levels, and employment rates to pre-Depression years (West, n.d.). World War II created complete economic recovery because of greater federal spending that improved employment rates both for men and women and for whites and colored people. Military spending by the federal government jump-started the economy, increasing GNP, consumption levels, and employment rates more than the New Deal did. By 1943, California’s aircraft and shipbuilding industries hired 243,000 and 280,000 people correspondingly, and tens of thousands worked in plants in Pacific Northwest (West, n.d.). In Seattle, the Boeing Company’s sales of aircraft in 1944 reached ten times that of the total city’s industries five years before (West, n.d.). With bustling