Chemistry Titration Lab

Table 1: Data Collection Table – Contains all of the primary data directly obtained from the lab. Indicator | Initial volume of NaOH in burette (ml)  ±0. 05| Final Volume of NaOH in burette (ml)  ±0. 05| Final – initial Burette Reading (Volume of NaOH used) (ml)  ±0. 1| Qualitative Observations | Phenolphthalein | 0. 00 | 0. 90| 0. 9| At first when the base was being dropped into the vinegar there wasn’t a color change, however when the solutions came close to full titration, the solution would turn pink and once mixed would turn clear again| | 0. 90| 2. 30| 1. 4| | | 2. 30| 3. 20| 0. 9| | | 3. 20| 4. 0| 0. 9| | Bromothymol Blue | 8. 00| 9. 50| 1. 5| Solution turned from yellow to light green | | 9. 50| 11. 10| 1. 6| Solution turned from a bright yellow to bright blue rather than a light green indicating over-titration had occurred| | 11. 10| 12. 90| 1. 8| | | 12. 90| 14. 40| 1. 5| | | 14. 40| 15. 90| 1. 5| | Methyl Orange | 15. 90| 16. 90| 1. 0| Reaction o ccurred quick, over-titration occurred and solution turned from red to orange | | 16. 90| 17. 20| 0. 3| | | 17. 20| 17. 40| 0. 2| | | 17. 40| 17. 60| 0. 2| | | 17. 60| 17. 80| 0. 2| | Methyl Red | 0. 00| 5. 00| 5. 0| | | 5. 00| 7. 80| 2. | Solution turned from red to a light orange/yellow color| | 7. 80| 10. 70| 2. 9| | | 10. 70| 13. 60| 2. 9| | | 13. 60| 16. 50| 2. 9| | Bromocresol Green| 20. 80| 21. 20| 0. 4| Solution turned from yellow to light green | | 21. 20| 21. 60| 0. 4| | | 21. 60| 22. 00| 0. 4| | Table 2: Data Processing Table displaying the volume of NaOH required to titrate 10ml of vinegar and their corresponding concentration of acetic acid Indicator | Volume of NaOH required to titrate 10mL of Vinegar (ml) ( ±0. 1)| Concentration of Acetic Acid  ±0. 5 (mol/l) | Percent Uncertainty (%)| Percent Error (%) | Phenolphthalein| 0. | 0. 9mol/dm3| 11. 1| 3. 4| Bromothymol Blue | 1. 5 | 1. 5mol/dm3| 6. 7| 72. 0| Methyl Orange| 0. 2| 0. 2mol/dm3| 50. 0| -77. 0| Methyl Red | 2. 9| 2. 9mol/dm3| 3. 5| 233. 0| Bromocresol Green| 0. 4| 0. 4mol/dm3| 25. 0| -54. 0| Sample Calculations: Ex. The calculation of the concentration of acetic acid for phenolphthalein NaOH Volume: 0. 9ml NaOH Concentration: 1. 00mol/dm3 1. Convert Volume to Litres 0. 9 = 0. 0009L 1000 1. Calculate the moles of NaOH (n=CV) n= (1. 00mol/dm3) (0. 0009L) = 0. 0009mol 2. Calculate the concentration of the diluted acetic acid.Because acetic acid and sodium hydroxide have a 1:1 ratio, they have the same number of moles. C = 0. 0009mol = 0. 09 0. 01L 3. Calculate the initial concentration of acetic acid pre-dilution C1V1 = C2V2 C1(0. 01L) = (0. 09mol/L)(0. 1) Concentration of Acetic Acid = 0. 9mol/L Sample Calculations Continued 4. Calculating percent uncertainty = absolute uncertainty x 100 Measurement 1 Example: Calculating the percent uncertainty for the volume of NaOH required when methyl red is used = 0. 1 x 100 2. 9 1 = 3. 5% Therefore, the volume of NaOH required when methyl red is us ed as the indicator is 2. 9ml  ± 3. % 5. Uncertainty propagation for the volume of NaOH required for each indicator (0. 9  ± 0. 1) + (1. 5  ± 0. 1) + (0. 2  ± 0. 1) + (2. 9  ± 0. 1) + (0. 4  ± 0. 1) = 5. 9ml  ± 0. 5 6. Calculating percent error Percent error = Actual – accepted x 100 accepted Example: Calculating percent error for phenolphthalein Percent error = 0. 9 – 0. 87 x 100 0. 87 = 3. 4% Methyl Red Methyl Red Bromothymol Blue Bromothymol Blue Bromocresol Green Bromocresol Green Methyl Orange Methyl Orange Phenolphthalein Phenolphthalein Graph 1: Titration curve representing the effect of the volume of NaOH on the pH of the titration solution at end pointConclusion This lab tested the effect of the use of different indicators on the volume of NaOH required to reach the end point of the titration with acetic acid in vinegar. The equation for this reaction is: CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l) The As one can see from graph 1 the results of this lab demonstrated that the indicators that required different volumes of sodium hydroxide to reach end point from least amount of volume required to most was with the use of; methyl orange, bromocresol green, phenolphthalein, bromothymol blue and lastly methyl red.Therefore, the highest volume of NaOH that was required to change the color of the vinegar occurred when using methyl red, and the smallest volume of NaOH that was required to change the color of the vinegar occurred when using methyl orange. Different indicators were tested as if the indicator is chosen well, then the endpoint will represent the equivalence point of the titration reaction; the point when the volume of titrant is equal to the amount of analyte (the acetic acid in the vinegar). An important factor to consider is hat indicators don’t change color at a specific pH.However, they do change color over a narrow range of pH values. Because vinegar has a pH of around 2. 4 the equilibrium was firmly to th e left before the sodium hydroxide was added. Adding the sodium hydroxide will begin to shift the equilibrium to the right. As more and more base was added, for example with phenolphthalein, the pink eventually became so dominant that it could no longer be turned clear by swirling the beaker. If the light pink was achieved, then end point was perfectly reached and if the solution became bright pink then over-titration occurred.Although the majority of this lab occurred according to plan, there were a few minor anomalous results that occurred. For instance, the amount of NaOH used in the titration when the methyl red indicator was used was 2. 9ml. However, for one of these tests when using methyl red, the volume of NaOH required to reach the end point of the reaction was 5. 0ml. This was a clear anomalous result as it was very different from the consistent 2. 9ml of NaOH from the other trials. This anomalous result can be explained due to several systematic and/or random that will be discussed further on with their potential improvements.There were no error bars included in this lab. This is due to the fact that they would be non-existent as each titration was repeated until the exact same volume of NaOH was required to reach the end point for each different indicator at least 3 times. Figure 1: Representation of the various indicators used throughout the conduction of this lab and their pH levels. It also demonstrates their colors in acids and colors in bases as well as the color when end point is reached. This lab evidently demonstrated that phenolphthalein would be the best indicator to use.The justification for this is that every indicator has their own individual range of pH for the end points. When the end point occurs, it means there is slightly excess base. For phenolphthalein, the end point would be when the color of the solution changed into a very light pink color. As one can see from figure 2 the indicator phenolphthalein only changes color in basic solutions. This is a reason why it would be considered the best indicator for this experiment. This is because the end point for this experiment ranges in between a pH of 8. 2 and 10. , which as one can see is very similar to the pH ranges of phenolphthalein. This would cause the phenolphthalein to give the most accurate reading of the volume of NaOH required to reach the end point of its reaction with acetic acid. The reason the other indicators may not give the most accurate readings can be seen from the diagram below: Graph 2: This graph represents a simple visual of the effect of different indicators on the volume of base required to reach end point with an acid. The green block above represents the phenolphthalein in this lab as it has its pH ranges on the break of the curve.This means that the color change will be accurate in terms of changing color at the break point of the reaction Evaluation There are a variety of ways this lab could be furthered. This lab was done using a strong base (NaOH) and a weak acid (acetic acid). A way that this lab could be furthered would be to do the exact same lab using a weak base and a strong acid such as NH4OH (ammonium hydroxide which is a weak base) the same weak acid (acetic acid). This would skew the results in that a much higher volume of base would be required to reach end point with the acid. This is because it would be much more difficult to shift equilibrium o the right. For example, the phenolphthalein indicator only turns the solution pink in basic solutions. Because a weak base is what will be used, it would take much more base in order to reach end point of the reaction. There were a few errors that could have been improved throughout the conduction of this lab. One of the major errors occurred prior to the actual titration itself. This error occurred when the sodium hydroxide solution was being created. When the sodium hydroxide was being created, 1g of solid sodium hydroxide pellets had to be weighed us ing an electronic balance and then put in a volumetric flask.After this water was added to the sodium hydroxide pellets and diluted to the 150ml mark. The pellets were left in a dish in the open while we were getting other materials set up. This was definitely an error as the sodium hydroxide pellets absorb moisture from the air. This means that the sodium hydroxide was actually becoming heavier than 1g as it began absorbing his moisture. This affected results as there was a higher concentration of sodium hydroxide in the water than recorded. This could have affected the results in that less sodium hydroxide would have been required to reach the end point of the reaction.This would be considered a systematic error as the slightly increased mass of the NaOH would have been used for every trial as the same source of NaOH was used throughout. An improvement to this error would be to not put the sodium hydroxide pellets into the volumetric flask until the very last second. Also, the sod ium hydroxide was put into the volumetric flask and then the water was added, however adding the water first could minimize the time that the solid sodium hydroxide is left in the air.This step in the procedure could also be improved if it were possible to purchase this solid sodium hydroxide already measured out in grams so that they would only be in the open for a matter of seconds as they were being transferred into the volumetric flask. A systematic error that occurred throughout the process of this lab was over-titration. Over titration is when too much of the base is added to the solution and the reaction passes end point. For example, the color that one would attempt to achieve when perfectly titrating using phenolphthalein is a light pink color.However, for all of our trials the solution turned a bright fuchsia color when using phenolphthalein implying it had over-titrated. This error could definitely have been improved. The improvement for this error would be to use a buret te with a smaller opening. This would allow decreased room for the error of over-titration. This is because one would have more control over the volume of base released by the burette allowing for more control. Another systematic error that occurred repeatedly throughout the conduction of this lab was that the temperature of the room did not stay constant.Therefore, the temperature of the solutions including the indicators was not constant. Temperature changes could have occurred in the lab without being noted. This is a problem as it slightly changes the color change pH range of indicators. As one can see below, these are the effects on various common indicators’ color change ranges with an increase in temperature: Table 3: Table representing common indicators and the effect of changing temperature drastically on the color change range. Although the temperature would not have fluctuated drastically in the classroom there were still potential fluctuations that were not accoun ted for.This would have caused the end point to appear to be occurring at different times than expected for that indicator. The way this error could be improved would be to conduct the lab in an area where the temperature is closely and easily monitored. Conducting this lab in a classroom with the door frequently opening and shutting let in a draft therefore this lab should be conducted in an area with no interruptions that may effect temperature. Also, temperature can be monitored so that it can be at least accounted for in one’s results and the changes in temperature can be used as an explanation for the behaviour of the indicators in each test.Another section of the procedure of this lab that requires improvement relates to the indicators used. The indicators used throughout the process of this lab had pH ranges of around 2-3 increments. For example, phenolphthalein changes color over a pH range of around 8-10. This means that one would not be able to tell exactly what pH the final solution was when it reached end point from the indicator. This could be improved if indicators were produced that did not have a range of pH values in which they change color but one specific pH range where it changes the color of the solution.This would improve the lab as it would allow scientists to know exactly at which pH the end point of the reaction was reached exactly when it happens. For example, this specific experiment is supposed to reach end point between pH values 8-10, however having an indicator that changes color at pH 8, one that changes color at pH 9 and one at 10 would allow for a more accurate result. An additional random error that occurred throughout the process of this lab was that rarely a drop of NaOH wouldn’t come out of the burette completely straight and would end up getting stuck to the side of the beaker.This would have caused the volume of NaOH required to reach end point of the reaction to appear greater than it actually was. This is because NaOH was leaving the burette but not going into the beaker containing the vinegar and indicator. Although one cannot control the behaviour of the burette with the NaOH other than potentially using a burette with a thinner opening allowing for less room for the NaOH to fall from obscure angles, one can control beaker size.By increasing the size of the beaker containing the vinegar and the indicator, one is able to reduce the likelihood of the NaOH not going directly into that beaker. This would mean that there wouldn’t be as much NaOH lost from the burette that isn’t accounted for. Often in the real world, titration experiments are performed regularly. This is because titration is a process of determining the concentration of a substance in an unknown solution, in which a known reagent is added to that unknown solution in order to produce a known reaction such as a color change.A real world example of this is biodiesel production. Acid-base titrations are used in the production of biodiesel in order to determine the acidity of waste vegetable oil (one of the main ingredients in biodiesel production). pH paper is used to test a small sample in order to represent the pH of the entire batch. This allows one to determine how much base is required to achieve the desired pH. Bibliography Websites: â€Å"Chemical Analysis by Acid-Base Titration. †Ã‚  AcidBaseTitration. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"ChemTeacher.   ChemTeacher. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"Sample Lab Report. †Ã‚  Sample Lab Report. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"Titration Lab Report. †Ã‚  Titration Lab Report. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. . Books: Textbook: Talbot, Chris. Chemistry for the IB Diploma. London: Hodder Murray, 2009. Print.

Mobile phones. Essay

Starting Point: Communication methods (25 minutes) Use your textbook or the resources on Student Portal or the Internet to help you research these topics. The first one has been done for you so you can see the level of detail expected. http://www. enkivillage. com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-mobile-phones. html https://www. google. co. uk/search? q=teact+ict+advnat%5Cges+of+mobile+phones&sourceid=ie7&rls=com. microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&surl=1&safe=active&gws_rd=ssl Method Of communication What is it? Benefits/advantages Drawbacks/disadvantages Mobile phones. Hand-help device for making calls, texting, listen to music, surf web, email   Portable so the communication is easy Can be contacted anytime / You are always connected   There are multiply uses   Security – children feel safer as they can easily contact their parents   In emergency situations , help can be reached You can call people anywhere on the planet   No specialist equipment is needed.   Cause accidents as they are a distraction for example driving Disturb other people   Might be inference so the quality of the call can be poor.   You can’t see body language so a lot of non verbal communication is lost. Its hard to make a record of what’s being said , things may get forgotten or misinterpreted SMS (texting) Texts are sent from one mobile phone to another. It is a quick and convenient way of sending a short message to someone . Sending messages, images, videos and sound clips between devices. Can send them at any time, day or night   Good for informal messages Good for helping friends and family keep in touch   Only short messages can be sent Needs basic typing skills Text speak spills over into written school work and formal communication.   Fast   Cheap No internet needed. Instant Messaging (IM) A system for exchanging typed electronic messages instantly via the Internet or a cellular network, using a shared software application on a personal computer or mobile device. Conversations happen in real time .   You can add video using webcams or add a mic rather than talking . This helps show that the person you’re talking to is genuine.   Useful for customer support Internet is needed There’s no time to reflect on the message before sending   There’s a lot of ads , you have to pay extra to remove ads Anyone can send you a message Chat rooms. An area on the Internet or other computer network where users can communicate, typically one dedicated to a particular topic.   Gives the ability to chat to more than one person at the same time Extremely useful for gamers where there are hundreds of players You can also private message people   People can fake their identity   Cyber bullying can occur Fax A system that normally uses telephone lines to send images of documents to others .   Good for places where security and legal issues are importan Fair inexpensive   Simple to use and require very little training. As long as the machine is on , messages can be received day and night   No specialist installation/ cabling needed because it uses the existing telephone line   No immediate response   You might dial wrong number and sent important document to someone else   If the machine is busy , the fax will not be delivered. The quality is often poor and might have some of the smaller details   You need to buy ink , the machine and paper Social networking A place where people of the same interests or backgrounds can communication .   Keep in contact with old friends Free   You can make new friends. Cyberbullying can occur Discrimination can occur People may be able to find out personal details   Its time consuming   People can easily lie about who they are   You need internet Weblogs A place where people can write down their activities on a website for others to read giving a commentary on their life . There can be photos / videos but are mainly text based.   Can easily be viewed / updated from any device that connects to the internet .   Allows you to express your thoughts   Easy to set up , little technical knowledge needed   There’s millions of blogs to read from   You can leave comments on blogs.

European Studies Essays – Welfare State and the European Nations

Welfare State and the European Statesâ€Å"The phrase ‘welfare state’ was foremost used in the late thirtiess, to separate between the policies of the democracies and the war province of European dictators† ( Spicker, 2003 ) . From the late 19th century, characteristics of a public assistance province began emerge in parts of Western Europe. The first European state to set in topographic point a public assistance province was Germany in 1883. The so Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck introduced a compulsory national accident and illness insurance jurisprudence. The insurance was financed by province subsidy ( Spicker ) . A public assistance province is â€Å"a province where more than one half of all authorities outgos are devoted to societal policy, as opposed to the economic system, the armed forces, jurisprudence and order, substructure and other traditional maps of the state† ( Spicker, 2003 ) . Judt ( 2006 ) defines a public assistance province as a province which is chiefly concerned with distributing public assistance to its citizens. Such provinces spend the bigger proportion of their public outgos on public assistance. Get aid with your essay from our adept essay authors†¦ Harmonizing to Gough ( 2006 ) , welfare provinces in Europe were established during the Second World War. Their chief intent was to undertake the five evil giants that were confronting most of Europe at that clip. These immoralities included: Poverty: Because of the war, many people were ill, idle or widowed hence were hapless. Diseases: Despite many people being ill, they could non afford to seek intervention. Ignorance: At that clip, school-leaving age was 11. Most kids were forced to drop out of schools because they could non afford to pay fees. Sordidness: Majority of the population lived in hapless lodging installations ( slums ) because council houses were unequal. Idleness: As a consequence of the war, most people lost their occupations and became unemployed. The public assistance province was hence established to guarantee that kids stayed in school ; free medical intervention for all was introduced ; new council houses were built and more towns established to supply better lodging installations to the slum inhabitants and more industries were started to assist cut down the unemployment rate. There are several aims of a public assistance province. Equitable distribution of wealth and resources: Welfare provinces used progressive method of revenue enhancement aggregation whereby people with higher incomes paid more revenue enhancements and those with lower incomes paid less revenue enhancement. This method of revenue enhancement helped in reallocation of public money and shifting of resources from the resource-rich parts to resource-poor parts. This was effectual in accomplishing regional balance and in contracting the spread between the rich and the hapless ( Spicker, 2003 ) . Income and criterion of populating care: Peoples can temporarily or for good be rendered incapable participating in the labour market. This can be due to old age, or illness. This usually consequences in loss of income for themselves and their households. But in a public assistance province, income care was assured whether or non person was working. This was usually â€Å"achieved through a assortment of public insurance strategies, † ( Judt, 2006 ) . These included tax write-offs from an employee’s wage, parts made by the employers and the province. These tax write-offs and parts were deposited into an insurance fund from which persons were entitled to certain benefits, depending on the degree and the figure of parts made. These â€Å"insurance strategies covered unemployment, ill wage and old age pensions, † ( Gough, 2006 ) . Helping the deprived groups: public assistance provinces started plans to help those groups that were considered worse-off than others. Gough ( 2006 ) says that: For case, European states have taken specific steps to battle rural poorness ; support households with kids ; supply for re-training and early retirement in industrial job parts ; help particularly those with structural employment job ( the long-run and older unemployed ; youth unemployment ) . Provision of a public safety cyberspace was another aim of public assistance provinces. Welfare States ensured that each single enjoyed â€Å"a minimum degree of nice human being if no other resources are available, † ( Gough, 2006 ) . In the pre-industrial epoch proviso for such persons was chiefly done by â€Å"local charities, communities, nobleness oblige, and the churches †¦ on a much smaller scale† ( Gough ) . Most Welfare States used their public assistance policy as a signifier of economic administration. Harmonizing to Gough ( 2006 ) , â€Å"the economic systems of Continental Europe, frequently called organized market economic systems, are characterized by a more marked function for the authorities in the economic system †¦.† Unlike in other provinces, the different economic sectors were normally in harmoniousness instead than in competition with each other. This contributed to the overall economic organisation and stableness, and is the ground why such economic systems were frequently labeled ‘organized market economies.’ Welfare provinces put up policies aimed at poorness obliteration. Such plans included Medicaid and Aid to Families with Dependent Children ( AFDC ) . However, such plans were non popular among the bulk of the population because they merely served the marginalized people who comprised a smaller proportion of the population. The creative activity and development of the public assistance province followed different forms in each of the European states. The work forces behind the European public assistance province shared Keynes’s position which he voiced before his decease in 1946. Keynes said that â€Å"after the World War II, there would be a craving for societal and personal security in Europe. And there was. The public assistance province was constructed chiefly as a security revolution instead than a societal revolution, † ( Judt, 2006 ) The German public assistance system was based on the three chief rules. The first 1 was â€Å"subsidiarity.† This rule holds that â€Å"services should be decentralized or independently managed† ( Spicker, 2003 ) . The function of the province was limited merely to countries which could non be covered by other agencies like military services. In Germany, high income earners were non covered by the chief societal insurance system ; they were left to do their ain determinations. Economic development was another rule environing the German public assistance system. Provision of societal services was based on this rule. This was clearly apparent in â€Å"the close relationship of services to people’s place in the labour market. Social benefits were earnings-related, and those without work records found that they were non covered for of import contingencies† ( Spicker, 2003 ) . Additionally, the state’s disbursement on public assistance had to be straight related to the rule of economic development and growing. Welfare province in Germany was originally established by Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck who introduced the rule of ‘corporatist structure’ . Harmonizing to Spicker, 2003: This rule was developed by Bismarck on the footing of bing common assistance associations, and remained the footing for societal protection later. Social insurance, which covered the costs of wellness, some societal attention and much of the income care system, was managed by a system of independent financess. The Gallic system of public assistance was regarded as the most generous public assistance system. It involved proviso of a broad scope of societal services, rendering it really complex and expensive to keep it. In France, the public assistance system was â€Å"based on the rule of solidarity, † which was declared in the first article of the Gallic Code of Social Security ( Spicker, 2003 ) . However, the term â€Å"solidarity† was equivocal and was used in different fortunes to intend different things. To some people, solidarity referred to cooperative common support whereby people who benefited from national public assistance strategies were expected to lend on an equal footing. To others, solidarity meant mutualist relationships, â€Å"common action, common duty and shared risks† ( Spicker, 2003 ) . The Swedish Welfare System was viewed as an ideal signifier of public assistance province. The system offered institutional attention in that it offered â€Å"a cosmopolitan minimum† ( Judt, 2006 ) . Like all public assistance provinces, the Swedish authorities offered benefits to the unemployed, the ill people, and retired citizens. However, for a long clip this public assistance system was non efficaciously practiced because as Judt ( 2006 ) says, â€Å"the Swedish population had a strong tradition of entrepreneurship and difficult work and continued to work hard even though they now had the option to populate off government.† However, with clip, people adapted to the public assistance system. The public assistance province of the United Kingdom was established by William Beveridge in 1942. The purpose of the province was to control the societal jobs that British citizens were confronting due to the effects of the Second World War. The authorities took the duty of supplying for its people. This policy resulted in high authorities outgo and an addition in the state’s cardinal duties. In add-on to the proviso of the basic services ( instruction, wellness, lodging and employment ) the province besides increased â€Å"regulation of industry nutrient and redistributive taxation† ( Gough, 2006 ) . Most Welfare States did non last long because of assorted grounds. The first major ground was the nature of revenue enhancement and the salary construction. In most public assistance provinces, the societal benefits and wages for the low-skilled workers were among the highest in the universe, whereas those for the high-skilled workers were lower comparison to those of other states. Additionally, the high-skilled workers paid much higher revenue enhancements than the low–skilled workers. This attracted more low-skilled workers into these provinces, going a load to the Welfare State. The issue of in-migration besides led to the prostration of the public assistance province. Because of the societal benefits a public assistance province offered, it attracted people from the low income states. Fjordman ( 2006 ) notes that â€Å"†¦ they experienced †¦ decomposition with the debut of mass in-migration of individuals who did non hold the cultural background necessary to continue the public assistance state.† Last, the nature of the services that a public assistance province provided contributed to its prostration. Education and wellness services particularly are â€Å"ones on which people wish to pass more money as they become richer. Old age and retirement pensions imply that the authorities would hold to pass more as the population ages† ( Fjordman, 2006 ) . Because of this, the ratio of public disbursement to Gross Domestic Product was high and it became practically impossible to run into all the societal demands of its citizens. Mentions Fjordman, C.The Welfare State: The Root of Europe’s Problems. The Brussels Journal. 2006, March 08 Gough, I.European Welfare States: Explanations and Lessons for Developing States. University of Bath hypertext transfer protocol: //64.233.169.104/search? Judt, T.The Future of Decadent Europe. The Globalist. 2006, June 02. Spicker, P. The Welfare State.Centre for Public Policy and Management: Robert Gordon University hypertext transfer protocol: //www2.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/introduction/wstate.htm

Heroines and Heroes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Heroines and Heroes - Essay Example In addition, they are also perceived as exotic, erotic and dangerous to males. It raised problems within the issues of globalization because it creates a bias against certain women and thus denies them the chance to be on an equal footing (Jiwani 186). The full text offers little indication that a hero can be globalized. Due to the stereotypes against minorities, there is always going to be a gap. This underrepresentation is mainly created by the media and its portrayal of the minorities. It is impossible for the hero to be disconnected from a particular culture. For example, in the example of the role of Tia Carrere, there is the discontinuity between her Asian roots and her western roots. Her education, connection to her farther and line of work endear her to the western culture and thus create a bias (Jiwani 187). There is a general portrayal of Asians, whether female or male, as scheming and untrustworthy or victims, but never neutral (Jiwani 188). The success of Eurasian heroes is problematic, because of their genealogy. They are descended from Caucasian males who have conquered the exotic Asian woman (Jiwani 187). In addition, the comparisons to the other members fuel the stereotypes against the Eurasian women. This is a problem because instead of illuminating the Eurasian woman in a positive light, the success creates more visibility for the stereotypes (Jiwani

Is Venezuela a Rentier State Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Is Venezuela a Rentier State - Essay Example The question of whether Venezuela derives significant portions of its economy from oil is without a doubt true; Corrales (2006) even characterized President Hugo Chavez as one of the world’s most powerful CEOs, in regards to his sale of oil to the United States. The Venezuelan government can also be seen to embody Rentier characteristics: Chavez has been successful in centralizing power through an elimination of intermediary government structures; he has allowed rampant crime to persist; and has allowed highly questionable election processes. While these actions can be seen to be highly indicative of a populace that ceases to intervene because of an abundance of oil money and reduced taxes, the reality of the situation is more complex. Indeed, it’s been argued that rather than Venezuela’s political structure being allowed by the citizens out of apathy in the face of reduced taxes, it has occurred because of a systematic effort on the part of Chavez to scare the c itizens into submissions and acceptance of more lax governmental standards. Corrales (pg. 9, 2006) compares this mentality to the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, â€Å"The more insecurity that citizens face—the closer they come to living in the brutish state of nature—the more they will welcome state power.† In this regard, it’s not the oil money that has influenced the populace, but the calculated manipulations on the part of Chavez and his regime that have trained the population into acceptance. When investigating the plausibility of democracy surviving in situations outside the United States, one must agree on what democracy means. If it is the communal rule of society through group consensus, as embodied in elected officials, protests, and free speech than Democratic rule is not only an element of Americanness, but a lynchpin of much of the European Union, as well as Australia, Israel, and Canada.

The Role of the World Bank in a Global Economy Essay

The Role of the World Bank in a Global Economy - Essay Example d its operations on 25 June 1946 and its first loan was approved on 9 May 1947 for the postwar rehabilitation and reconstruction ventures as concerns to France. It was at the time the largest loans to have been issued by the World Bank. The five parts (agencies) of the World Bank comprise of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Development Association (IDA), International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and lastly the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The activities of the World Bank emphasize more on its role towards the developing nations, ones which are doing their best to catch on to the bandwagon of the developed nations. The fields that the World Bank focuses upon in these developed nations include human development which can take into concern the subjects related with education and health. Then there is the field of agriculture and rural areas development emp hasizing more towards the irrigation activities and steps and the rural services. Environmental protection is also a related field coming under the focus discussion of the World Bank. This field takes a look at the areas which discuss the reduction of pollution as well as the manners in which regulations could not only be established but also enforced as a result. Infrastructure is a significant area that is seen courtesy the World Bank whereby the main point of emphasis is on the construction of roads, electricity provision and urban regeneration. Governance is the last pivotal area that World Bank takes into account and this speaks about the anti-corruption laws and measures in place and if the same are missing, then the manner in which these can be had in the first place. Also governance entails of the development of the legal institutions and other relevant corporations coming under this banner. World Bank tries its best to provide loans and other related incentives at preferent ial

The Super Continent Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Super Continent Cycle - Essay Example This has been made possible by plate tectonics, the system driving Earth's continents slowly around the globe. Plate tectonics is the study of the movement of the huge plates of the landmass beneath the earth surface which results into drifting of the continents. This hypothesis of drifting continents was proposed by German scientist Alfred Wegener for the first time in 1912. He used many types of evidence available in abundance on the earth's surface. Some of the evidences pointing out such supercontinent cycle are; Fossil Remains: Similar types of plant and animal fossils were found in different areas of continents which were studied to be connected. For example, the fossil remains of a small reptile found both in Africa and Latin America. Rock Formations: In the coastal regions, the rocks were found to be matching even in areas which were widely separated. To prove this point Wegener came out with the proof suggesting the reconstruction of an ice cap radiating from South Africa, whose marks were traced across the southern continents. Climatic Conditions: Some climatic patterns were observed which were not in conformity with the normal climate of the region/s, thus suggesting that these climatic conditions could have been affected by the climatic conditions at some other places or regions. Wegener's hypothesis therefore led us to believe that while on the one hand the some of the western African regions have similarities with the eastern part of South America; the northern part of African continent had similarities with the southern regions of North America. Similarities were also found in the southern part of Asian region and the western part of African continent, thus giving the thought an impetus. Initially though Wegener's hypothesis was not taken seriously, but gradually, as the theory of plate tectonics developed in 1960's, more and more studies took place, the notions of supercontinent gained wider acceptance. The plate tectonics theory believes that the surface of earth is divided into a number of shifting plates with an average thickness of around 50-80 km. African, American, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indian and Pacific regions have all been assigned huge plates while smaller landmasses with smaller plates are identified as Arabian, Caribbean, Cocos, Nasca, Philipp ine and Scotia regions. In fact scientists have identified about 15 major tectonic plates. Earthquakes help in identifying the plates. The supercontinent theory suggests that during the Paleozoic Era, there was a huge continent named Pangeae, which included all the continents. The name Pangaea is derived from the Greek word "pan" meaning "all" and Gaea or Gaia i.e. the Greek name of the divine personification of the Earth. Pangaea, therefore, means "all land." During the Triassic Period, the Pangeae started fragmenting thus resulting in the existing number of continents. This process is said to be continuing even now. The supercontinent theory suggests such occurrences have also happened in the past, thus the name 'supercontinent cycle'. Canadian geologist John Tuzo Wilson also provided an insight into the hypothetical supercontinent cycle, who described the fragmentation of continents, opening and closing of the ocean basin and subsequent reassembly of the continents. This theory suggests t

Communication discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Communication discussion - Assignment Example From that point you can be able to customize the way you address him/her. With time get the knowledge and experience on how different people like to be handled so as to create an environment where they feel welcome and hence they can be able to open up. According to Hood, (2013), the biggest barrier to communication is lack of humility. While addressing people of different ages, have empathy and show them that you know exactly how it is to be in their position. The people who are advanced in age are the most tough to deal with as they require a high sense of respect (Sullivan, 2013). Give it to them. Dealing with people of different gender can also be confusing. For instance, a certain patient may not be ready to open up to a nurse of the opposite gender and this may require introducing him/her to another nurse if they are totally uncooperative. Having the knowledge on how to address people is important as seen in the essay. This can determine the difference between a competent nurse and the rest (Bednarz, Stephanie, & Doorenbos, 2010). It is therefore important to observe the points

Week 4 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Week 4 - Research Paper Example They utilize hooks to hold their tunics together (Clark 34). It is a taboo for men designed trousers to bear rumples (or creases). All married men ought to grow beards. Their garments dimensions are also a subject to their unique Ordnung family they belong (Clark 17). They also wed their relatives. Those who attempt to wed outside their fellow Amish are subject to excommunication. The Amish also have elevated rates of infant deaths accruing from genetic disorders which are passed to generations though their population retains stability despite the vast infant deaths (Clark 24). The Amish approach almost every life aspect with a â€Å"plain simplicity attitude†. This â€Å"simplicity† is depicted in the manner they handle individual tasks each at a time. They always bid their time when executing a distinct task and hold on it until it’s complete prior to attempting a subsequent task. They also regard variant types of work (or jobs) with equal balance. As a result, their overall life is summed up by a tranquil and relaxed lifestyle. In Genesis 3:19, God reveals his wrath after Adam and Eve contravened to his word. Adam and Eve had consumed the fruit from the â€Å"tree of knowledge† which they had been a forewarned by God not to consume. God affirms in this verse that work is a prerequisite for mankind survival. God also affirms that work is an inextricable part of human nature. In addition, God points out that work will always be accompanied by extreme exhausting hard labour. The overall meaning of this verse would imply that mankind is incomplete void of work. In 1962, Dorothy Day birthed a movement which campaigned for equal treatment upon the Catholic workers. She also deployed The Catholic worker journal to expose chief essential aspects which the contemporaneous society at the time contravened with (Falk & Rita 89). The aforementioned journal points out Days’ philanthropic devotion to spark societal change which resulted in the

SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN EFFECTIVE MARKETING CHANNEL Essay

SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN EFFECTIVE MARKETING CHANNEL - Essay Example 53). It is also playing a key role in the overall community building. There are many types of social media that help people communicate with each other and develop business relationships. However, social media mainly refers to the social networking websites that play a dynamic role in the personal and professional lives of people. Some of the main business benefits of using social media include provision of an effective marketing platform, ability to reach large audiences, and improved customer service. In this paper, we will discuss the value of social networking websites for advertising, customer service, and as a community building tool. The paper will also include a discussion on the value of social media as an effective marketing tool. 2. Social Media as an Effective Marketing Channel Social networking websites are playing a valuable role as effective marketing channels for all types of companies whether large, small, or medium-sized (Kelly 2013). With the advent of the social m edia as an effective network for marketing and advertising, companies started using social networking websites for achieving better response, as well as to provide customer service through enhanced level of interaction with the customers of the company (Richardson, Gosnay and Carroll 2010, p. 58). â€Å"The main goal of social media marketing is to ensure high participation of target audience in campaigns and content shared by the company† (Rajarammohan 2012). It is imperative for a company y to know the needs and demands of the customers for the provision of best products and services. Managers use a range of tools to gather required information because without the information of customers’ requirements, it is not possible for a company to deliver customer value properly. Social media marketing helps managers and concerned employees in contacting the customers of the company directly to know their requirements and preferences. Today, many small and large companies for m manufacturing and retail industries are focusing of the use social media marketing to customize their products in accordance with the customers’ preferences, as well as to deliver their message in a more effective and conventional way to the target audience. Social media marketing refers to marketing using social networking websites and other forms of social media (Weinberg 2009, p. 4). Gone are the days when people used to visit products’ dealers and companies personally to know the functionalities and specifications of their required products. Today, most of the people use internet and related media to get all information about the products that they want to buy. For example, the number of people using online portals and websites for shopping is increasing with every passing day. The reason is that they do not need to waste their precious time going to markets and collecting information about different products. Today, internet has become the biggest and the most c onvenient marketplace where trading occurs in the same way as it occurs traditionally. The role of internet in this regard is evident from the fact that some popular social media websites, such as, Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook receive millions of clicks every day regarding product information (Rajarammohan 2012). The role of Youtube seems to be on the top in this regard as millions of people use this website to gather information about different products and services. For example, if a person aims to buy a new mobile phone of a particular company, he/she is most likely to open Youtube and see different videos related to that mobile phone. This is the reason why almost all major brands

The Yellow Wallpaper Essay Example for Free

The Yellow Wallpaper Essay Throughout the study of literature, it is believed that most works cannot be fully understood without a biographical strategy. In order to understand a work, the reader must understand the author’s life and experiences to grasp the full concept of that work. In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† Gilman uses symbolism, personification, and other literary tools to portray the way women were treated throughout this particular era. Gilman also uses a romanticism approach when writing â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†. The narrator believes that the woman trapped in the wallpaper, symbolizes her and all the other women living in the male dominant society. Romanticism represents an art for arts sake. Born in 1860, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was forced into an era of male supremacy. Gilman was abandoned by her father from infancy and often left into the care of relatives including Harriet Beecher Stowe and feminist activists, Isabella Beecher Hooker and Catherine Beecher. Strong and influential women, struggling for their place in a male dominant world, shaped Gilman’s childhood. The women made Gilman an independent young lady, teaching her importance of exercise and philosophy, over that of clothes and jewelry. At the age of 24, Gilman married her first husband, Charles Walter Stetson. After having her daughter the next year, Gilman went into a deep depression. The noted neurologist, S. Weir Mitchell, examined her. He told her to follow his ‘rest cure’ of complete bed rest and limited intellectual activity. This meant no writing. Gilman realized that this ridiculous cure was actually driving her more insane, so she removed herself from Mitchells care. When her health got better during a trip to California she paired her emotional problems to her marriage and decided to leave her husband. In 1900, Gilman married for the second time to her cousin George Houghton Gilman. Gilman continued her feministic journey until discovering she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She left a final note that read, â€Å"When one is assured of unavoidable and imminent death, it is the simplest of human rights to choose a quick and easy death in place of a slow and horrible one. Charlotte Perkins Gilman took her life on August 17, 1935, in Pasadena, California, at the age of 75. Gilman’s main intent in â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† is to portray the way women were viewed and treated during this time period. In the later 19th century, men were the superior race. Women oftentimes went from being born into a house with a father; to being married off to someone they weren’t exactly happy to be with, leaving no time for a woman to experience life without someone â€Å"in-charge† of them. Gilman did not want to be like other woman of this time, she redefined womanhood, proclaiming that men and women were to be equal. This ‘new woman’ was to be an intelligent, well-informed, and well-educated free thinker, the creator and expresser of her own ideas. She was to be economically self-sufficient, socially independent, and politically active. She would share the opportunities, duties, and responsibilities of the workplace with men, and together they would share the solitude of the hearth. Finally, the new woman was to be as informed, assertive, confident, and influential as she was compassionate, nurturing, loving, sensitivea woman of the world as well as of the home. Gilmans vision of an autonomous female challenged not only the traditional cult of true womanhood but the concepts and values of family, home, religion, community, capitalism, and democracy. † (De Simone) â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† starts off with the main character, Jane, talking of a â€Å"colonial mansion,† that seems to be a place to vacation. Gilman gives detail of this set-back home that almost gives the reader an eerie feeling, which foreshadows events to come. When Jane starts to describe her husband, she gives the sense that he mocks her and he often laughs at her. This symbolization gives insight to her own life where she often felt mocked and taken for granted by men. As the story goes in deeper, Jane tells that she is going to the house because of the rest care she was prescribed, very similar to that of Gilman’s. When they get to the house, Jane enables the reader to see the room with the yellow wallpaper. The windows were barred and there were restraints on the bed and she tells of scratches on the walls and ceilings. Jane believes that this room could have been a nursery or a babysitting room, but this does not make sense because when Jane reaches out to scratch the walls, she can barely even touch. How could a young child have ever reached if Jane, a grown woman, could not? As time goes on, Jane gradually learns to enjoy the room she is staying in, except for the dreaded yellow wallpaper. After being in the room for so long and dwelling on the wallpaper, Jane discovers someone trapped behind it. Jane believes she is getting better in health, but secretly is becoming obsessed with the woman, or so she believes, behind the wallpaper. Throughout the story, Gilman uses the romanticism approach. Romanticism expresses sensibility and passion. A romantic writer incorporates symbols, myths and images in their writing to help tell the story. Jane recognizes herself as the women trapped in the wallpaper. She believes that it symbolizes her feeling trapped in the house and under the control of her husband. She uses the Gilman tells of the room with barred windows and restraints as if it were a normalcy. Reading more into the story, the reader can gather that Gilman was symbolizing this room as a woman in a man’s world. The windows are barred, showing that there is no escape from that way, as there is no escaping a man in the universe. The restraints symbolize that a man can hold a woman back, along with keeping her close so that she doesn’t wander off. The idea of the woman creeping behind the paper mirrors Jane creeping to write, while being told that it is not recommended for her treatment. Although the ideas may be far out, the story that Gilman tells reflects her own life in many ways. When Gilman introduces the woman behind the wallpaper, it’s almost as if she is introducing herself into the story. Jane possesses many qualities and characteristics that Gilman portrayed in her own life and when Jane sees the woman in the wallpaper, it’s just like Gilman’s conflict with her own mind. It symbolizes a woman’s want to break away from society and be her own person in this world that has a complete control over her. Whether it’s a father, husband, or even brother, this time period focused on male’s first. The woman was told what to do and how to act and there was no room left for questions or disobedience. â€Å"Life is very much more exciting now than it used to be. You see I have something more to expect, to look forward to, to watch. I really do eat better, and am more quiet than I was. John is so pleased to see me improve! He laughed a little the other day, and said I seemed to be flourishing in spite of my wall-paper. † (Gilman 165) This quote displays Jane’s new obsession with the wallpaper and the thought that she is truly getting better. The fact that she mentions John’s happiness with her health leads the reader to think that he is a caring man, but after understanding Gilman’s own life, makes the reader see him as the domineering husband that he is. ’Ive got out at last,’ said I, ‘in spite of you and Jane. And Ive pulled off most of the paper, so you cant put me back! ’ Now why should that man have fainted? But he did, and right across my path by the wall, so that I had to creep over him every time! † This last quote is one of the most meaningful parts of the entire short story. While saying this, Jane makes herself become the woman in the wallpaper. Not only is it just a thought anymore, but when she lashes at her husband by saying â€Å"you and Jane,† Jane loses her sense of identity and takes on the role of the woman behind the wallpaper. She tells him that he cannot put her back, symbolizing that Jane does no longer want to be restrained to the room, nor him. Even after he faints, he is still in Jane’s way, leaving her to creep around him still. â€Å"Even while considering herself a writer, and implying that she could have been a notable artist, throughout her life, Gilman qualified her artistic achievements by insisting that what she had done was ‘perfect of its kind, but not art'; that she was devoted to ‘literature and lecturing,’ but that her writing was ‘not, in the artistic sense, literature. (Heilmann) Gilman was an impeccable example of what happens when a woman’s potential is seen over. She led a successful life and her work has helped the female race raise awareness of their capability in life. Although Gilman lived a long time ago, her work then has given females today a better understanding of where they have been, but also where they are going.

Eco-friendly and formaldehyde-free Essay Example for Free

Eco-friendly and formaldehyde-free Essay Dont have the budget for solid-wood kitchen cabinets, but still want to avoid VOC emissions? Youre in luck. In recognition of the new school year, heres a pop quiz: What do mussels those delectable morsels from the sea best served in a white wine sauce and plywood have in common? Cant see the connection? Read on! Unless you, like some mussels, have been living under a rock, you will be aware of the growing hullabaloo about VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and how we dont want to be breathing them in. The bad news is, if youve had non-solid wood kitchen cabinets installed recently or purchased furniture made of composite wood products, you may be doing just that. But theres also good news. Governments and manufacturers have heard the ruckus about VOCs and taken action and, just when you thought you had all the possible options for kitchen cabinet materials nailed, out they come with new ones to confuse everyone. Hence this primer to bring you up to speed and make sense of it all. It used to be that consumers had two extremes to choose from when they shopped for kitchen cabinets. The lower-cost options were cabinet components made of either particleboard, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or plywood. These are all composite wood-panel products traditionally containing glues that, when they come to room temperature, emit VOCs in the form of potentially carcinogenic urea formaldehyde (UF). At the other end of the price extreme was solid wood, which doesnt have this problem but costs more. Many contractors still tell clients that their choices are either/or, and urge them to go for the higher-priced wood for various reasons. Luckily for consumers who dont have the budget for a solid-wood kitchen but who want to avoid VOC emissions, this all changed about three years ago, says David Beattie of Rayette Forest Products, based in Concord, Ont. That was when Oregon-based Columbia Forest Products introduced PureBond, which Mr. Beattie describes as a veneer core hardwood plywood made with glue containing zero UF. This plywood, whose layers are joined by a soy flour-based glue, is one of a growing number of alternatives to products in which UF-emitting glues are used. It was introduced by Columbia ahead of new industry standards in the United States the toughest there to date set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The story behind PureBond and this is where the mussels come in is rather romantic, although romance isnt something youd normally associate with plywo od either. It seems that an Oregon State University researcher was vacationing along the Pacific Ocean. While sitting on the beach watching the waves pound the shoreline, he noticed clumps of mussels clinging to the rocks. No amount of battering surf could dislodge them. What are they secreting, he wondered, that allows them to adhere to the rocks so solidly? In short, research into those secretions led to the soybean-based, zero-UF glue used in PureBond plywood. Columbia Forest Products says using PureBond is cost-neutral when compared with its former UF-emitting panel products. Thats despite the large expenditures the company says it has made to develop the product. This is an important development, romantic beginnings aside, because, according to CARB findings, The most significant source of (UF) emissions we face on a daily basis comes from the composite woods in our furnishings and cabinetry. At this stage, the glues that work in zero-UF plywood arent being used for particleboard or MDF. Some sources say these adhesives simply dont work with those materials, which have different natures than plywood. But there is something called no added UF particleboard, as well as a kind of MDF whose emissions are in the acceptable range. Look for a particleboard called SkyBlend developed by Oregon-based Roseburg Forest Products and made with recycled and sustainable raw materials, and Arreis MDF, made by SierraPine, which is based in California. Both SkyBlend and Arreis are considered green building products that meet North American VOC-emissions standards. They, and PureBond, are readily available in Canada. With this kind of progress in the wood-products industry, Rayettes Mr. Beattie predicts it wont be long before all composite wood materials are formaldehyde free. If youre in the market for new kitchen cabinetry and your budget wont cover solid wood models, discuss your material options with your contractor. Its important to ensure that hes up to speed on the latest technology and knows what your preferences are. Most general contractors have preferred cabinet suppliers. Find out if those suppliers offer a zero or low UF-emitting panel product. If your contractor still thinks there are only the two extremes to choose from, tell him about the mussels. I know that not everyone is up in arms about UF emissions. Even if you arent, however, I still urge you to find out where your contractors cabinet supplier buys his composite wood products. If theyre coming from certain Third World countries, you could be getting third-rate quality along with those high UF levels. Some contractors will go the foreign route because its cheaper even though those materials often dont meet our more stringent Canadian and North American standards. Canadian materials can cost more than those made in Third World countries. For example, in an average-sized kitchen, using Canadian-produced panel materials is about $500 more expensive than if you went with the Third World products. Still, its not that big of a premium when you consider the benefits of buying Canadian: zero to low UF emissions, and the fact that youre supporting our economy, our workers and our renewable forestry practices. Im not even going to get into the whole human rights thing. As a friend of mine says, when it comes to buying Canadian and going as green as we can, Its all good.

Germany An International Business Plan Economics Essay

Germany An International Business Plan Economics Essay Abstract This paper will examine the country of Germany from the aspect of a corporation looking to do business there. It will consider aspects from the culture, people, technology, government, and their economic system. A business environment analysis report has been conducted to examine things corporations must consider when doing business in Germany. A report on opportunities for market entry has been conducted to identify potential import and export prospects for a potential firm in Germany. A market entry strategy assignment has also been conducted to develop a market strategy for launching new products in Germany. Germany: An International Business Plan MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORT Profile The official name of Germany is the Federal Republic of Germany. The head of state is currently Christian Wulff and the head of government is Chancellor Angela Merkel. The population of Germany is 81.8 million people, with about 8% of the people being of foreign origin. Protestants and Catholics each make up third of the religious population, with an assortment of other religions filling the other third. German is the official language spoken in Germany; however, the vast majority of the population also speaks English. Geography Germany is a very temperate country located in Europe. It is much cooler and rainier than most of the United States. It is approximately 137,000 square miles, about the size of Montana. The largest city is Berlin with a population of about 3.5 million people. The next three largest cities, Munich, Cologne, and Hamburg all have populations over a million. As far as the terrain is concerned there are low plains in the north; high plains, hills, and basins in the center and east; mountainous alpine region in the south. People Most inhabitants of Germany are ethnic German. However, there are also more than 7 million foreign residents, a lot of those who are related to guest workers. Guest workers were foreign workers, mostly from Turkey, invited to Germany in the 1950s and 1960s to fill labor shortages) who remained in Germany. Germany has a sizable ethnic Turkish population (2.4% at the beginning of 2010). Germany is also a prime destination for political and economic refugees from many developing countries. An ethnic Danish minority lives in the north and a small Slavic minority known as the Sorbs lives in eastern Germany (Germany, 2012). Most foreigners do not have German citizenship, even if they were born and raised in Germany. This is due to highly restrictive German citizenship laws. However, change is coming, and with the citizenship and immigration law reforms that took place in 2002, many foreign citizens have been getting their citizenships and have gained the ability to naturalize. Germany has one of the worlds highest levels of education, technological development, and economic productivity. Since the end of World War II, the number of youths entering universities has more than tripled, and the trade and technical schools of the Federal Republic of Germany (F.R.G.) are among the worlds best (Germany, 2012). Germany, as country, is mainly middle class. The social welfare system that is set up in Germany provides universal medical care, generous unemployment compensation, and provides for many other social needs. Germans also travel extensively, and millions of Germans travel abroad every year. It is estimated that the population of Germany will decline from the current 81 million people to around 77 million people by 2050. Due to this demographic change, the available workforce aged 20-64 will shrink by more than six million by 2030, resulting in a marked shortage of skilled workers. In the absence of appropriate and timely policy action, demographic change threatens to become a constraining factor for prosperity and growth (Germany, 2012). When unification happened in 1990 Germany began a major undertaking. Their goal was to bring the standard of living of people living in the former German Democratic Republic to where it was in western Germany. This has really been a struggle for Germany because of how inefficient business had been in the former German Democratic Republic. There was also the issue of property ownership that had to be settled. On top of all of that, there was a tremendous amount of environmental damage from communist rule as well. Economic uncertainty in eastern Germany is often cited as one factor contributing to extremist violence, primarily from the political right. Confusion about the causes of the current hardships and a need to place blame has found expression in harassment and violence by some Germans directed toward foreigners, particularly non-Europeans. The vast majority of Germans condemn such violence (Germany, 2012). Economy Market Overview The state department has done a thorough overview of Germanys market and concluded the following: The German economy is the worlds fourth largest and, after the expansion of the EU, accounts for more than one-fifth of European Union GDP. Germany is the United States largest European trading partner and is the sixth largest market for U.S. exports. Germanys social market economy largely follows free-market principles, but with a considerable degree of government regulation and generous social welfare programs. The German economythe fifth largest in the world in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms and Europes largestis a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force. Like its Western European neighbors, Germany faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and declining net immigration are increasing pressure on the countrys social welfare system and have compelled the government to undertake structural reforms. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economywhere unemployment can exceed 20% in some municipalitiescontinues to be a costly and long-term process, with total transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $3 trillion so far. In 2011, gross domestic product grew by 2.7%. The countrys export-dependent economy is growing more quickly than the euro-zone average. In 2010, gross domestic product grew by 3.6%, and the German economy experienced its strongest rate of growth since reunification. Domestic demand is becoming a more prominent driver of growth. The German labor market also showed a strong performance in 2010 and 2011, with the unemployment rate dropping to 5.5% in October 2011. Economists attribute the decrease in unemployment to structural reforms implemented under the government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and to the use of government-sponsored short-time (Kurzarbeit) work programs. The German economy so far has been largely unaffected by the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, but a recession or slowdown of Europes largest economy is expected for the winter half of the 2011-2012 year, mostly due to declining exports to the countrys European partners. The European Union (EU) gave Germany until 2013 to get its consolidated budget deficit below 3% of GDP, and the governments 4-year fiscal consolidation program worth approximately à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬80 billion (U.S. $109.6 billion) is intended to meet deficit targets. Germanys deficit decreased from 3.3% of GDP in 2010 to 2.0% of GDP (est.) in 2011 thanks to the strong economy and low unemployment. In May 2011, Chancellor Merkel announced Germanys plan to phase out nuclear energy power by 2022. It is expected that this policy will further accelerate the growth of the renewable energies sector. Germany is the largest consumer market in the European Union with a population of over 82 million. However, the significance of the German marketplace goes well beyond its borders. An enormous volume of worldwide trade is conducted in Germany at some of the worlds largest trade events, such as MEDICA, Hannover Fair, Automechanika, and the ITB Tourism Show. The volume of trade, number of consumers, and Germanys geographic location at the heart of a 27-member European Union make it a cornerstone around which many U.S. firms seek to build their European and worldwide expansion strategies. Market Challenges The German economy has improved markedly in recent years. The economy took a serious hit during the economic crisis, but recovered quickly. The German economy has been steadily improving recently. There was a serious setback during the economic crisis, but recovery occurred quickly. Like most other OECD countries GDP declined significantly in 2009 (by 4.7%), but grew by 3.6% in 2010, the highest rate since unification. Following a 3% growth in 2011, the pace of expansion is expected to slow in 2012 (Germany, 2012). Most of the market research organizations had been predicting the GDP of Germany in 2012 to be around 1%, but are lowering that to around 0.6%. Labor The United States State Department (2012) had this to say in regards to Germanys labor market: The labor market remained resilient during the economic crisis and continued to be strong in 2011. In addition to a series of labor and social reforms implemented in recent years, many experts credit the government-funded short-time work program for limiting unemployment. Other factors, such as moderate wage increases, flexibility in bargaining agreements, numerous company-level alliances to retain jobs, and employers willingness to accept higher unit labor costs, also contributed to the stability of the German labor market. Job cuts in logistics and manufacturing have been offset by job creation in other sectors, such as services and health care. Also due to a declining workforce, average unemployment dropped to 2.976 million over the course of last year, with an average jobless rate of 7.1% down from 7.7% in 2010. For 2012, the government expects unemployment to decline to an average of 6.8%. Although unemployment is still higher in the east of the country than the west (11.3% versus 6.0%), it dropped to the lowest level in 20 years. The number of persons in employment living in Germany reached an all-time high (about 41.6 million) in November 2011, an increase of 521,000 from a year ago. The wages in Germany, when compared to the rest of the world, are among the highest in the European Union and worldwide. German labor is also known to be very productive and highly skilled. German quality is known throughout the world. Labor Law The unions in Germany are incredibly large and powerful. Strong labor laws protect the workers and give them many rights. The laws in Germany are much more substantial than in the United States. Ordinary dismissal of workers must be preceded by notice, which depends on the duration of the time the employee was with the company. It may vary from 1-7 months. The employee may also challenge the dismissal in court. The Mother Protection Law grants a mother a total of 36 months leave. 6 weeks prior to birth and 8 weeks thereafter are on paid leave. The mother and the employer can agree on a parental leave (max. 36 months), after which the employer provides her with the same job prior to the birth of the child. Social Security and Health Care cost are equally split up between the employee and the employer. Average working hours are 37.5 hours/week and annual leave varies between 20 and 30 working days (Export.gov Home, 2012). Trade Barriers There really are not a lot of formal barriers concerning trade with the United States or investment. The only one that could be considered substantial would be Germanys participation in the EUs Common Agricultural Policy and their continued restrictions on biotech agricultural products. This does place some barriers on U.S. goods. Germany has continually tried to get the EU commission to ease up on the regulations to help and try to promote innovation and help the EU members become more competitive. The government under Merkel has made the case for widespread reform in Germany. Specifically, there is a drive to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and reduce the costs due to the complex nature of their bureaucracy. The complexity, in and of itself, offers a certain degree of protection to the local businesses because the complexity of the regulations makes it that much more difficult for foreign competitors to do business in Germany. There are very stringent safety standard and environmental standards that are zealously applied that cuts back on the access available to U.S. products. As a result, any American companies considering exporting to Germany really need to evaluate the standards that would be applicable to their products and insure that they met them on a timely basis. Foreign Relations Germany continues to be close with the United States of America. They maintain their membership in NATO, and they continue to be a vital component of the EU. Germany made sure that after the war that they were actively involved in closer cooperation politically, economically, and defensively with other countries of Western Europe. Germany has been, and will continue to be, one of the largest contributors to the EU budget. After the war, Germany made great effort to repair its relationship with the countries of Eastern Europe. They started by establishing trade agreements and worked their way up to actual diplomatic relationships. When Germany unified in 1990, their relationship with other democratic countries in Europe blossomed even further. Government The government is parliamentary, and a democratic constitution emphasizes the protection of individual liberty and division of powers in a federal structure. The chancellor (prime minister) heads the executive branch of the federal government. The duties of the president (chief of state) are largely ceremonial; the chancellor exercises executive power. The Bundestag (lower, principal chamber of the parliament) elects the chancellor. The president normally is elected every 5 years by the Federal Assembly, a body convoked only for this purpose, comprising the entire Bundestag and an equal number of state delegates (Germany, 2012). The Bundestag, which serves a 4-year term, consists of at least twice the number of electoral districts in the country (299). When parties directly elected seats exceed their proportional representation, they may receive additional seats. The number of seats in the Bundestag was reduced to 598 for the 2002 elections. The Bundesrat (upper chamber or Federal Council) consists of 69 members who are delegates of the 16 Laender (states). The legislature has powers of exclusive jurisdiction and concurrent jurisdiction with the Laender in areas specified in the Basic Law. The Bundestag has primary legislative authority. The Bundesrat must concur on legislation concerning revenue shared by federal and state governments and those imposing responsibilities on the states. Germany has an independent federal judiciary consisting of a constitutional court, a high court of justice, and courts with jurisdiction in administrative, financial, labor, and social matters. The highest court is the Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court), which ensures a uniform interpretation of constitutional provisions and protects the fundamental rights of the individual citizen as defined in the Basic Law (Germany, 2012). Technological Status Information technology, without a doubt, is the single most important factor in transforming the world into a global economy. As the rankings are starting to point out, how a company ranks as far as its advancement with information technology is also how it ranks in the overall global economy. Technology is what differentiates a superior economy from that of an inferior one. Technological innovation always lies at the core of any long-term potential of any economy, and Germany is no different. When looking at Europe as a whole, technological capability runs the gamut. In Great Britain and Ireland, they are much higher on capability than the rest of Europe. On the bottom end there is Greece, Italy, and Spain. Germany, and the rest of Europe, is somewhere in the middle. There is a lot of advancement in IT in fields that would necessitate that, such as aerospace, mobile phones, and pharmaceuticals. However, it is very poor in the service sectors. The general consensus is that Europes information technology infrastructure not only lags behind the U.S. and Japan, but that the technology gap is rapidly closing between Europe and Asias new tech powerhouses (like China, India and South Korea). Europe risks being squeezed between the high end challenge posed by the U.S. and Japan and the catch-up challenge posed by the rapidly developing countries (Hamilton Quinlan, 2008). Where Germany is a little stronger in the technological exports is within the realm of medium-high tech exports. According to Hamilton and Quinlan (2008): When it comes to high-tech exports, Germanys share (20.5%) lags behind the EU15 average (25.7%), and is well under the share of the U.S. (36.1%) and China (36%). Against this backdrop, as Germany edges closer to being a knowledge-based service economy, it must keep and embellish its competitive strengths in high-tech goods and services, or suffer a loss in average economic welfare. In a world economy where the application of technology and innovation increasingly dictates both the pace of change and the level of economic prosperity, Germany is challenged to raise its innovation-intensity production and capabilities, while continuing to attract the investment capital and IT core competencies of foreign technology leaders. However, this is not to say that Germany does not have its strengths. In fact, Germany was the third ranked company in 2006 for global patents. The regions in Germany account for nine of the 20 innovation regions in Europe. Germany is more advanced in IT usage and applications than most of Europe and is a favored destination for IT leaders looking to tap indigenous RD talent (Hamilton Quinlan, 2008). Germany is also way ahead of the rest of the EU in terms of their citizens using the internet and using computers at home and at work. Underpinning this dynamic, Germany is ahead of the EU in general in the use of the internet and computers at home and at work. Germany has also become the world leader in alternative energy technology, and has produced a third of all solar cells and half of all wind turbines worldwide. BUSINESS EVIRONMENT ANALYSIS REPORT Center of European Economy Largest Market in Europe. Of all the markets within Europe Germany is by far the largest. It makes up 20 percent of Europes gross domestic product. It also contains close to 20 percent of the total population of the European Union. The GDP has grown about 1.8% every year for the last five years. The economy of Germany is very industrialized, with a very heavy focus being on service and production. They are also very forward thinking in Germany, evidenced by the large amounts of money earmarked for research and development. Belief in Exportation Even though there has been a tremendous amount of shakiness in the world economy, Germany has somehow managed to stay stable. They continue to export worldwide on a grand basis. In fact, in 2003, Germany became the worlds leading exporter, having overtaken the United States for that title. Germanys biggest trading partners include France, UK, the Netherlands, Japan, China, and the United States. Foreign Direct Investment Preparing for FDI Free and Open Markets. An attractive part of the German business environment is how welcoming Germany is towards foreign direct investment. Foreign direct investment, in its classic definition, is defined as a company from one country making a physical investment into building a factory in another country. The direct investment in buildings, machinery and equipment is in contrast with making a portfolio investment, which is considered an indirect investment (Graham Spaulding, 2004). The interesting thing is that Germany treats German investment into business the same way as they treat foreign investment into business. There is no distinction made. There are also no restrictions or barriers to capital transactions or currency transfers, real estate purchases, repatriation of profits, or access to foreign exchanges (Germanys business environment:, 2009). Attracting FDI Globally. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Germany ranks among the worlds leading countries for foreign direct investments with more than EUR 476 billion in FDI stocks in 2008. Official German statistics further underscore Germanys attractiveness as a business location. Bundesbank (German Central Bank) FDI stock statistics indicate a growth of 2.2 percent in 2007 to EUR 459billion (Germanys business environment, 2009). New Investment Projects Foreign Direct Investment Projects. There are over 45,000 foreign companies that operate within the borders of Germany, and these companies employ over 3 million people. Every year more companies realize that operating from Germany is a financially sound decision. Diverse Industry Opportunities. When looking at the different markets that foreign companies are invested in, one will note that it is quite diversified, including 39 different industry sectors. Most of the new investment from foreign companies is invested in to the IT and software industry. In fact, this industry accounts for 20% of every foreign direct investment project in Germany. Business and financial services, and automotive and industrial machinery and equipment are the next top industries. Research and Development High-Tech Germany High Turnover with Innovative Products. Over 27 percent of German manufacturing company turnover is generated from innovative products. These products are new to the enterprise and to the market. In France and the UK, this ratio is comparatively low at around 16 percent, whereas in Finland the level is at 21 percent. The European average lies at 19 percent (Germanys business environment, 2009). Technological Leader. Germany has always been known for their high quality and innovation, and they are one of the worlds leaders in developing new technology. They are also one of the largest exporters of high-technology goods as well. In 2007, Germany exported high-tech goods to the value of EUR 114 billion -making it the top exporter in Europe and third worldwide (Germanys business environment, 2009). Knowledge Base of Workers. Germany is also known for the knowledge of their population, namely scientists. Germany has the largest population of scientists in all of Europe. German scientists work on projects all over the globe. Business Climate Cost Effectiveness High Productivity. In the last decade, Germany has become incredibly efficient in their industries. Their overall productivity rose much faster than the labor cost increase. Because of this, it costs them much less to produce things than many other countries. This gives them a competitive advantage. As a result, much of the world views Germany as having the best process technologies in action. Labor Costs. Another reason Germany is favored by many companies considering foreign direct investment is the stable and low labor costs. Germany has the lowest labor rate growth in the last decade in all of Europe, at two percent. This has not been the case for the rest of Europe. Since 2000 wages have risen in most European countries -at a rate significantly above that of the EU-27 average increase of 3.7 percent (Germanys business environment, 2009). Competitive Tax System. The tax system in Germany is one of the most competitive in the world. Corporations only have to pay a 30% tax rate. Trade taxes have also been drastically reduced. Labor Market Highly Skilled and Educated Workforce. The workforce in Germany contains over 40 million people, the largest amount of labor in Europe. However, the sheer volume of Germanys labor force is not the main attraction. Germanys work force is highly skilled and educated. Eighty percent of Germanys workforce has had vocational training or is a college graduate. German government ties the amount of investment into education to Germanys gross domestic product, ensuring that the two stay linked. Germany also has one of the highest rates of workers receiving doctoral degrees. Germany also employs what is known as a dual education system. In this system, workers receive on-the-job training while they are attending school, for a period of two to three years. This system has over 300 occupations that are accepted in this program, and because it is regulated, a certain level of quality is guaranteed. Closer to Market Logistics. With state-of-the-art transportation networks by road, rail, sea, and inland waterways as well as a dense network of both national and international airports, Germany provides easy access to domestic and international markets (Germanys business environment, 2009). As a result, Germany is a major player in the logistics game globally. Their logistics account for 28% of the European logistics market, making them a huge player in Europe. In fact, more goods pass through the country of Germany, than any other country in Europe. Germany has the second busiest port in Europe, located in Hamburg. They also have Europes largest port container terminal in Bremerhaven. If that was not enough to cement Germanys stature as a global logistics force, there are also the companies in Germany themselves. In fact, the worlds largest logistics services provider is a German company Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN). Deutsche Bahn is the worlds second largest transportation and logistics company and Lufthansa Cargo is the global air freight services leader (Germanys business environment, 2009). Excellent Business Environment Good Legal System. Germany has an incredibly stable and transparent legal environment, and has been globally ranked as one of the safest places to conduct business. Germans was also ranked as the safest country in the world concerning the security of intellectual property. Secure Place to Conduct Business. Germany has a growing business landscape and is becoming well known for the safety in which that business is conducted. White-collar crime is lower in Germany than most of its neighbors. Laws are upheld, and private property laws are strong. Easy Start Up. Corporations and enterprises looking to set up shop will find that the process to do so could not be easier. The rules and regulations for starting up an operation in Germany are simple and thus, very efficient and quick. REPORT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARKET ENTRY An organization should not only determine whether the business environment of Germany is conducive to their operations but also whether their product is within the growing industries of Germany. There are many industries blooming in Germany, but two stand far above the rest: management consulting services and medical equipment. Management Consulting Services Germany is the largest consulting market in Europe. Consulting took off in Germany during 2011 and overall revenues were up around 10 percent. This growth trend is supposed to continue through 2012 as well. Demand was especially strong in the automotive (up 19 percent) and consumer goods (up 14.3 percent) industries. The two largest consulting fields are strategic and organizational/process consulting (Germanys business environment, 2009). Projects that have to deal with growth and innovation, or business development, have great growth potential. Medical Equipment Germany also has the largest European market for medical devices, and is third in the world. Demand will mainly be driven by demographics and a substantial increase in the number of patients and by the need for more efficient procedures. The German medical market expects a sales growth of approximately 6% this year, with continued upwards trends predicted for next year as well (Germanys business environment, 2009). This industry sector has the most potential for corporations that can bring innovative products to the table at competitive prices. The medical technology sector continues to be strong on innovation and growth and will provide excellent potential for U.S. suppliers of innovative and price-competitive products. MARKET ENTRY STRATEGY ASSIGNMENT When considering how to undertake a successful market entry into Germany, there are two things to consider: high quality and modern styling. Germans are responsive to the innovation and high technology evident in U.S. products, such as computers, computer software, electronic components, health care and medical devices, synthetic materials, and automotive technology (Germanys business environment, 2009). Price is not that high of a priority for German buyers, the emphasis remains on quality. Germany also has a very high rate of Internet access, and as more and more Germans gain access, products and services relating to that will grow as well. In speaking about the German market, the United States State Department (2012) had this to say: The German market is decentralized and diverse, with interests and tastes differing dramatically from one German state to another. Successful market strategies take into account regional differences as part of a strong national market presence. Experienced representation is a major asset to any market strategy, given that the primary competitors for most American products are domestic firms with established presences. U.S. firms can overcome such stiff competition by offering high-quality products, services at competitive prices, and locally based after-sales support. For investors, Germanys relatively high marginal tax rates and complicated tax laws may constitute an obstacle, although deductions, allowances and write-offs help to move effective tax rates to internationally competitive levels. Direct Marketing Germans do quite a bit of shopping from catalogs and they are starting to do more shopping online. Three-fourths of German companies use direct marketing in some fashion. Email marketing is by far the most common form of direct marketing and a company looking to gain market entry would be wise to consider the virtues of this method. Selling Strategies The key to selling in Germany is realizing that there has to be some form of long-term commitment. There is a feeling in Germany that U.S. corporations give preferential treatment to their domestic sales, at the expense of their global market. There is also the concern of corporations from the United States being in it for the long-haul and sticking around for after-sales support. Addressing these concerns will alleviate worry and establish credibility. The German customer also expects superior customer service. They expect to be able to call and talk with someone from the organization for help and would require this immediately. American exporters should avoid appointing distributors with impossibly large

Ulysses S. Grant Essay -- essays research papers

Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and 18th president of the United States. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, the son of Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant, the owner of a tannery. Taken to nearby Georgetown at the age of one, he was educated in local and boarding schools. In 1839, under the name of Ulysses Simpson instead of his original Hiram Ulysses, he was appointed to West Point. Graduating 21st in a class of 39 in 1843, he was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. There he met Julia Dent, a local planter's daughter, whom he married after the Mexican War. During the Mexican War, Grant served under both General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott and distinguished himself, particularly at Molina del Rey and Chapultepec. After his return and tours of duty in the North, he was sent to the Far West. In 1854, while stationed at Fort Humboldt, California, â€Å"Grant resigned his commission because of loneliness and drinking problems, and in the following years he engaged in generally unsuccessful farming and business ventures in Missouri.†(Grant Moves South, 18) He moved to Galena, Illinois, in 1860, where he became a clerk in his father's leather store. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Grant was appointed colonel, and soon afterward brigadier general, of the Illinois Volunteers, and in September 1861 he seized Paducah, Kentucky. After an indecisive raid on Belmont, Missouri, he gained fame when in February 1862, in conjunction with the navy; he succeeded in reducing Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, forcing General Simon B. Buckner to accept unconditional surrender. The Confederates surprised Grant at Shiloh, but he held his ground and then moved on to Corinth. In 1863 he established his reputation as a strategist in the brilliant campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, which took place on July 4. After being appointed commander in the West, he defeated Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga. Grant's victories made him so prominent that he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and in February 1864 was given command of all Union armies. Grant's following campaigns revealed his determination to apply merciless pressure against the Confederacy by coordinating the Union armies and exploiting the economic strength of the North. While Grant accompanied the Army of the Potomac in its ov... ...n scheme to purchase Santo Domingo. Thereafter, however, Secretary of State Hamilton Fish established a distinguished record by settling outstanding difficulties with Great Britain with the Treaty of Washington in 1871, and keeping the country clear of the Cuban rebellion against Spain. After retiring from the presidency, Grant took a long trip around the world. Returning in 1879, he became an unsuccessful candidate for the presidential nomination, which went to James A. Garfield. In 1881 Grant moved to New York City, where he became a partner in the Wall Street firm of Grant and Ward; â€Å"he was close to ruin when the company collapsed in 1884.†(Ulysses S. Grant: A Politician, 45) To provide for his family, he wrote his memoirs while fighting cancer of the throat; he died at Mount Gregor, New York, on July 23, 1885.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A military genius, Grant possessed the vision to see that modern warfare requires total application of military and economic strength and was thus able to lead the Union to victory. In civilian life, however, he was unable to provide the leadership necessary for a growing industrial nation, even though he always retained the affection of the American public. Ulysses S. Grant Essay -- essays research papers Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and 18th president of the United States. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, the son of Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant, the owner of a tannery. Taken to nearby Georgetown at the age of one, he was educated in local and boarding schools. In 1839, under the name of Ulysses Simpson instead of his original Hiram Ulysses, he was appointed to West Point. Graduating 21st in a class of 39 in 1843, he was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. There he met Julia Dent, a local planter's daughter, whom he married after the Mexican War. During the Mexican War, Grant served under both General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott and distinguished himself, particularly at Molina del Rey and Chapultepec. After his return and tours of duty in the North, he was sent to the Far West. In 1854, while stationed at Fort Humboldt, California, â€Å"Grant resigned his commission because of loneliness and drinking problems, and in the following years he engaged in generally unsuccessful farming and business ventures in Missouri.†(Grant Moves South, 18) He moved to Galena, Illinois, in 1860, where he became a clerk in his father's leather store. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Grant was appointed colonel, and soon afterward brigadier general, of the Illinois Volunteers, and in September 1861 he seized Paducah, Kentucky. After an indecisive raid on Belmont, Missouri, he gained fame when in February 1862, in conjunction with the navy; he succeeded in reducing Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, forcing General Simon B. Buckner to accept unconditional surrender. The Confederates surprised Grant at Shiloh, but he held his ground and then moved on to Corinth. In 1863 he established his reputation as a strategist in the brilliant campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, which took place on July 4. After being appointed commander in the West, he defeated Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga. Grant's victories made him so prominent that he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and in February 1864 was given command of all Union armies. Grant's following campaigns revealed his determination to apply merciless pressure against the Confederacy by coordinating the Union armies and exploiting the economic strength of the North. While Grant accompanied the Army of the Potomac in its ov... ...n scheme to purchase Santo Domingo. Thereafter, however, Secretary of State Hamilton Fish established a distinguished record by settling outstanding difficulties with Great Britain with the Treaty of Washington in 1871, and keeping the country clear of the Cuban rebellion against Spain. After retiring from the presidency, Grant took a long trip around the world. Returning in 1879, he became an unsuccessful candidate for the presidential nomination, which went to James A. Garfield. In 1881 Grant moved to New York City, where he became a partner in the Wall Street firm of Grant and Ward; â€Å"he was close to ruin when the company collapsed in 1884.†(Ulysses S. Grant: A Politician, 45) To provide for his family, he wrote his memoirs while fighting cancer of the throat; he died at Mount Gregor, New York, on July 23, 1885.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A military genius, Grant possessed the vision to see that modern warfare requires total application of military and economic strength and was thus able to lead the Union to victory. In civilian life, however, he was unable to provide the leadership necessary for a growing industrial nation, even though he always retained the affection of the American public.