Premium Essay

America Divided

In:

Submitted By julie327
Words 2925
Pages 12
America: A Nation Divided.

In George Washington’s Farewell Speech on September 19, 1796, he warned against political parties as follows: The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages & countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders & miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security & repose in the absolute power of an Individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty (J.E. Quidam, 2008).
This ideology seems to have evolved and held truth for the past 227 years as now Americans are even more divided by political parties than any other stature. According to Edward S. Greenberg and Benjamin I. Page’s “The Struggle for Democracy”, political ideology is defined as a system of interrelated and coherently organized political beliefs and attitudes, which include conservatives, liberals, populists, and libertarians (145). Greenburg and Page further describe that the “two dimensions” that Americans generally divide along are government’s roles in economy and society (147). Conservatism can be defined as the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change (2013). There two different types of conservatives, economic and social. Economic conservatives believe more in economic liberties and freedoms from government interference, and that a free market offers the best path to economic efficiency and a decent society. They strongly believe in private enterprise and are opposed to big government

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Student

...Jacob Stickney Philosophy 214 Professor Hirschboeck 23 February 2012 Famine, Affluence, and Morality Peter Singer’s argument deals with what occurred in East Bengal, where in 1971 people would die because of not having food, shelter or medical care. Singer sees this as a devastating way of live and his argument can be identified as people dying from the lack of these objects can be seen as bad. “I begin with the assumption that suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care are bad.”(Singer) Singer believes that most people would agree with this argument because people hate seeing other people suffer when something can be done to help the suffering. It just makes me feel as if Singer is saying that every difficult situation can be controlled by having other people take matters in their own hands by helping out. Singer backs up his argument with a statement “If everyone in circumstances like mine gave money to the Bengal Relief Fund, there would be enough to provide food, shelter, and medical care for the refugees.”(Singer) He also was relating this statement to himself when he felt like there is no reason why he should give more money than everyone else. It seems like in these types of situations that people should feel obligated to give money in return to help out countries in need. Examples of this include countries who have dealt with hurricanes or natural disasters. Singer says “Giving money to the Bengal Relief Fund is regarded as...

Words: 555 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Chesapeake Bay Colony Research Paper

...As the throne changed over from the Tudors to the Stuarts, the English began to create settlements in the Americas. Starting in the Chesapeake Bay area, the English traveled to the North in search of profit and power. The British empire looked for way to decrease the power of the large empires of France and Spain. In 1606, the current king of England created the Virginia Company, starting the voyages and creation of the English empire in the eastern portion of North America. When to Tudor family lost the throne to the Stuarts, King James I, previously James VI of Scotland, came to power. Different from the previous family of rulers, King James I encouraged the thought that only sovereigns answered to God. As he came into to power, the Church of England was divided. The divided Church constituted of reformist Puritans and conservative Anglicans. As a way to create more English power in the Americas, King James I created a joint-stock company, known as the Virginia Company. He hoped to gain profit and to weaken the powerful France and Spain. In May, 1607, the Virginia Company settled the first perpetual colony in Virginia. The men and boys settled near a river about 40 miles...

Words: 1419 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Compare And Contrast Marco Polo And Hernan Cortes

...During the Ice Age, sea levels dropped creating a bridge from North America to Eurasia. 35,000 years ago This gave immigrants a chance to migrate over to the “New World”. Humans began to travel to America from Asia 33,000 - 8,000 B.C. This leads to the creation of the earliest civilizations in the Americas. Columbus’s Discovery 1492 He founded a “New World” that led to the colonization of people from Europe in America. The Treaty of Tordesillas 1494 This treaty between Spain and Portugal divided the Western Hemisphere between both groups settling conflicts. Hernan Cortes conquered Mexico 1609 He vanquished the Aztec tribe and claimed Mexico for Spain. Marco Polo His journey to China lasted about 22 years and he came back to write...

Words: 345 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Zdfbfzdvfvd

...Problem Certainly the main problem of Becton Dickinson is that going into a transnational business evolves many upsets among the managerial force, from all different levels of the organization and also all around the globe. Another very big issue is like since most of the revenues were earned in the local U.S. market, this local market has a priority than its other business in Europe, Asia and Latin America; local managers in foreign nations where frustrated because they did not get enough resources to satisfy its local market, and at the same time the headquarters wanted more profits and get more market share to their other locations. Company's situation Becton Dickinson Company a medical manufacturing company, with operations worldwide, and revenues of over $2 billion dollars, almost half of it from outside the U.S. B.D. is a supplier of two main product lines of clinical products, divided in medical and diagnostic. The U.S. domestic production was starting to give way to international sales, making necessary a European division, which in the 1980's the company, was divided by local business divisions centralized with decisions made in the U.S. focusing production mainly in the U.S. market needs, given the remains to other divisions like Europe and Asia. Recommendation An excellent recommendation is that the company should take more in consideration of create a new environment of cooperation among colleges from all over the world, the firm should mold their employees...

Words: 440 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gangnam Style

...are moeslim. American love alcohol, but little bit of cigarette. Perhaps it sounds strange but the fact like that. Almost all people in Indonesia are smoking especially men, and there are some person which consumption the alcohol. But, in America is very contrary in Indonesia. Almost american consume alcohol and only a few person who smoking. I think one of the reason why American consume it because the weather. In America has winter and autumn. Surely it is very cool. So, they consume it to warm their bodies. 3. Indonesian love offal, American love pork. Maybe not everyone in Indonesia like offal. Because it is unhealthy but it tastes very good. Because the taste, many people in Indonesia consume it. Although most of people also do not consume it because they feel displeasing and feel unwell after consuming it. While in America, the people love pork. It caused majority of Americans are christians even do not have religion so that they are allowed to consume pork. In Indonesia, the people rarely consume it because they are dominated by moeslims. Only people of other faith who consume pork and even then it is not sold in any places. 4. Indonesian girl more polite than American girl. In Indonesia, they are modest in dress while in America, they prefer to show the body shape and like wear clothes that are very sexy. 5. Indonesian is a very not appreciate...

Words: 1122 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Roanoke Colony Research Paper

...England’s first attempt at colonizing in North America was the Roanoke Colony. This settlement unfortunately failed, causing the people of Great Britain to take a step back and re-evaluate the benefits of settling in the New World. Britain’s next attempt at colonizing along the James River in Virginia, almost ended in disaster if it had not have been for the strong leadership of Captain John Smith. His motivation to survive, solid relationships with Native American tribes, and sturdy leadership skills were fundamental in the success of Jamestown, North America’s first permanent colony. A New Settlement It was the year 1606 when the London Company executed a plan for a new colony. Despite the previous failure of the Roanoke Colony, the group...

Words: 1080 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Pueblo Revolt Map Analysis

...After Hernan Cortez’s victory over the Aztecs, the Spanish expeditions focused primarily on the vast territory to their north. With legends of gold and great wealth, more and more Spanish explorers launched expeditions to what is now the American southwestern region as well as Florida. Map 1 demonstrates the exploration and colonization efforts that took place in the North America from the middle of the 16th century until 1675. It is very evident that Spanish authorities put an enormous focus on the area of present day New Mexico, which they heavily settled after Juan de Oñate’s arrival in 1598. For the settlers, the territory of New Mexico was their opportunity to gain riches, but also it puts them in direct contact with the area’s native population, the American Indians. While at first, Indians and settlers coexisted without any major conflicts; soon distinct cultural and religious differences would result in a full-blown revolt by the region’s Pueblo Indians. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 has been characterized as a landmark event of the American history and has attracted...

Words: 1576 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Ap World History Dbq Essay

...trade with the French West Indies and impose tax on sugar and molasses. This act would only allow trading with British countries. However, Americans broke the law by smuggling with non British countries. B: The plan was developed by Benjamin Franklin during the French and Indian War. It was to provide an intercolonial government and tax colonies for their defense. Yet, plan failed to take effect because it didn't give enough independence. A: It refers to the restoration of the English to the throne. Charles II gave the Carolinas to 8 nobles who became the lord proprietors. Charles did this to reward the nobles for helping him gain the throne. C: One of the factors of increasing population in the New World were the Germans. They came to America to flee from religious persecution and war. The Germans were one third of the population in the colonies. E: James II increased the authority of the colonies by combining New York, New Jersey, and others colonies into l unit. The governor of the dominion was Sir Edmund Andros. He was disliked by the colonists because he levied high taxes. E: John Zenger criticized the New York’s royal governor and was charged as a libel. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that he had printed the truth. Disregarding the English common law, Zenger was acquitted. C: Headright system was another way of bringing immigrants to the New World. Virginia offered to give 50 acres of land to anyone who paid for his or her own passage. It also gave land to owners...

Words: 3501 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Christopher Columbus

...Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus born in Genoa Italy was the son of a skilled weaver. Columbus earned his chance when the king and queen of Spain agreed to finance his voyage to discover a new trade route connecting Spain with Asia. In 1492 He sailed across the Atlantic arriving instead in the Caribbean where he raped, killed, and enslaved innocent Natives. America’s memories are filled with symbols of adventure and bravery associated with Columbus, yet the facts behind the fiction have somehow been lost in a haze of patriotism. Columbus set out with three ships; the Pinta, the Nina and the Santa Maria in search of Asia to find precious items such as gold and spices. Not realising that the Americas existed, Columbus first appeared in the Bahama Islands. When he first came in contact with the Arawak men and women, he entered into is log, “they would make fine servants… we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever they want” (pg 1). Columbus and his men coming from Spain had weapons that the Natives simply could not fight against, leaving them helpless and unable to fight they were mistreated and abused. Another example of Columbus abusing the natives is when he entered into his log, “as soon as I arrived… I took some of the natives by force” (pg 1). Columbus took some of the natives so that they might show him the land and where he might find gold, but instead of trying to communicate with these people he forcibly took them as slaves. “In...

Words: 790 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Inaugural Speech of Obama

...still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights. Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this...

Words: 2408 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Hunger in America

...Hunger in America Why are so many people starving? Why are so many Americans starving? Children Starving on Side of Road 1 Every day people throw perfectly good food away without a second thought. Many people do not realize that many Americans spend most of their days starving or without food. In 2012, 49 million people did not have enough food in their homes; 15.9 million of them were children (“Hunger”). Hunger is not just in the third world countries, it is also here in America and people need to realize this. Can we end hunger in America? Where is there the most hunger? Mississippi                        20.9% Arkansas                            19.7% Texas                                  18.4% Alabama                             17.9% North Carolina                   17.0% Georgia                               16.9% Missouri                              16.7% Nevada                                16.6% Ohio                                      16.1% California                             15.6% (“Hunger”)   Americans have all the power to end hunger in America. There are so many things that people and the government can do to help. The 2014 Hunger Report has a plan to end hunger by the year 2030. This plan consists of a jobs agenda, a stronger safety net, human capital development, and public-private partnerships to help innovative community led initiatives against hunger (“Ending”). If people just help out in any way possible hunger could be stopped...

Words: 565 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

History

...Rosamarie Rivera Hist 151 Professor Cotter 9/16/2010 Endentured servants were sometimes lured with food and drink to ships where they were convinced or forced to be in contract. Children were valuable laborers and because of the poverty in London slums were enticed with candy onto the vessles. They would even grab elderly people, drunk people sleeping in a gutter and shipped them off to the Americas for labor. The ocean journey to America usually took eight to twelve weeks. It was a difficult trip. Indentured servants were packed into the ships tightly, often being held in the hold without a chance to get fresh air. They were treated horribly and at times were left to starve. When they arrived in the America's they were either put into a contract for five to seven years, or bought as slaves. During their lives as endentured servants they had few to no rights. They weren't allowed to leave or marry without permission and could not vote. Most indentured servants were put to work in the tobacco fields of Virginia and Maryland. This was hard manual labor under the grueling hot summer sun, under which Europeans were not accustomed to working. Overseers would beat the servants to work faster. If an endentured servant survived the ordeal and wasn't conned, impregnated, or punished, he/she was freed and given fifty acres of land, three barrels of corn, some clothes and two hoes. The treatment of the endentured servants is later reflected in African slaves. The manners of which...

Words: 271 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

British vs. French

...Britain over the French in North America. What impact did this victory have on the American colonies? Great Britain and the French had ceaselessly been fighting and the British were not looking so well. It was only until 1758 that the British began to make a turn around against the French, that not only led to many victories, but also led to friendly rivalries. Although the Colonials and the British fought together and obtained their goals, a new conflict evolved, thrusting a spire of scorn between the two prior allies. Led by William Pitt the British essentially gained the upper hand on the French when they cut off their supply from the mother country to Canada via British naval forces at sea. Because the French relied heavily on goods transported at sea, they were left crippled and in a defense only mode. With this strategic gain, Pitt set out to conquer all and take over french territory by overtaking Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Louisbourg, Fort Duquesne and Quebec. Aside from the failure by Abercromby at Ticonderoga that was later redeemed, the British objectives were a success and the French were devastated. The most devastating blow was the attack on Quebec and Montreal where the British aimed “to rip the heart out of Canada.” (Millet & Maslowski 1994). Britain was successful and took over Quebec although France made great efforts to retake it in failure. Later in 1763, the Peace of Paris was signed therefore ending the war in North America. With this treaty being signed...

Words: 529 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Como Estas

...Hola como estas? What is with it these days. Are these the only word people know how to say. Honestly I think everybody should get a chance to live how they want do you understand what I am saying. We should have a language everybody can relate to. Why whenever we go places do we have to include English so americans can understand what is going on around them? I do not think it is fair that the main languages we include here in America are English, Spanish, and French. Those are not the only languages that other people from other countries understand. Either we in America should have a better variety of languages displayed or we be taught a language we all can understand fully and completely. I mean I know Spanish. It is really easy to understand some French words because Spanish and French are so closely related that some words are very similar to the other. It is also cool because where I live there are so many schools with different immersion programs such as Russian immersion, Spanish immersion, german immersion, and Japanese immersion. They have so many French classes to offer but there do not seem to be any immersion programs for French. I really do not understand why they do not. if I could I would definitely join French immersion. It would be so awesome to learn a language like that. Anyways all in all I believe it to be an awesome idea to have opportunities where people could learn new...

Words: 258 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Baba and Amir's Relationship

...‘The Kite Runner’, written by Khaled Hosseni, tells the story about part of the protagonist----Amir’s life from Afghanistan to America from his own perspective. It’s a story about destiny, friendship, redemption and forgiveness. And it’s also a story about father and son’s difficult relationship, Baba is the only person who is with Amir from the start to the end. However, Baba and Amir’s relationship eventually works out. The difficulties of Baba and Amir’s relationship starts from the time they live in Afghanistan. Because of Amir’s different characteristics from Baba, Baba doesn’t like Amir in many situations. He presents his dissatisfaction and dislike towards Amir to Rahim Khan and even says if he didn’t physically see his wife’s child birth process, ‘(he’d) never believe (Amir) is (his) son’. From Amir’s perspective, Baba find it difficult to accept him because he likes books but not sports. Moreover, in Amir’s mind, it is himself who ‘had killed (Baba’s) beloved wife, (Baba’s) beautiful princess. This sort of self-accusation intertwines in Amir’s mind for a long time. It has such a deep impression that Amir can’t stop thinking about this question, ‘didn’t all fathers in their secrets hearts harbor a desire to kill their sons?’ However, from readers’ perspective, Baba’s attitude towards Amir is comprehensible, as Baba has to divide his love between his two sons. It also interprets the reason why Amir is always trying to win Baba’s love from Hassan, and teases Hassan in...

Words: 336 - Pages: 2