...What is a hero? Many people have different beliefs on who heroes are and what defines them. Some say that heroes are the martyrs that gave theirs lives for various causes, while others believe that heroes are ordinary people who find the strength to overcome great adversity, and yet others who believe that heroes are spandex clad individuals that save lives in the pages of comic books.Heroes are people held in high regard for their great qualities and accomplishments. One such hero is George Washington. George Washington has many heroic qualities, including personal sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication. He also achieved many great accomplishments, including leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, assisting in the creation of the Constitution, and defining what it means to be president....
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...George Washington, Sun Tzu’s Apprentice The American defeat of the British during the Revolutionary War was a direct result of George Washington’s incredible leadership and generalship which showed the greatness of Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”. The key to the success of the American Revolution was the George Washington himself. Faced with an almost impossible task of defeating a powerful enemy, Washington was required to defy the odds. So how does Washington’s accomplishment of this task relate to Sun Tzu and his teachings of “The Art of War”? There crucial points come to light: Washington’s selection as to command the Continental Army and inherent command capabilities, Washington’s strategy for winning the war against the Empire of Great Britain, and the art of maneuver that eventually lead to the critical defeat of Cornwallis and the British at Yorktown. George Washington was the greatest leader to choose for the revolutionary war. Sun Tzu said a leader needs to have wisdom, sincerity, humanity, courage, and strictness. These five crucial traits are shown in Washington’s strategy to win the War of independence. Washington was the embodiment of everything fine in the American character. In caring for his troops and their families he would spend his own money to help them. Washington brought more than just military ability and statesmanship to the Revolution he brought character. General Washington was respected not just by the rank and file, but also by people in all parts of...
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...First President of the United States, George Washington began his military career as an aide in one of Virginia's four districts. Washington gradually advanced to the positions of Lieutenant Colonel, Commander and Chief of Virginia's militia, and finally Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War against Britain. His hard work and dedication to the War significantly impacted the outcome, as his actions certainly contributed to America’s win. Washington won the first presidential election for the United States on April 30, 1789 after the War had ended. George Washington is responsible for America’s success in the Revolutionary War because he was a strong and smart leader of the Continental Army, he was a very successful...
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...George Washington and John Adams were the first two presidents of the United States. They played vital roles in creating the American Republic, and had it not been for them, our current American Republic would be very different or possibly even nonexistent. Yet, despite the hard work they put into our nation’s beginnings, they were also very different. Both men came from the same era, but could one be considered better than the other? George Washington, born on February 11, 1732, in Westmoreland Country, Virginia was our nation's first President. Washington and his ancestors were quite influential in Virginia “The patriarch of the family, John Washington, had come over from England in 1657 and established the Washingtons as respectable, if not...
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...The Father of America: George Washington James Butler, a founding father of America, stated during the first Presidential elections, that “many of the members cast their eyes towards General Washington, as President, and shaped their ideas of the powers to be given a President, by their opinions of his virtue” (“George Washington” 127). In saying this, he meant that George Washington was a man that, in the eyes of all the chair-holders, fit all the characteristics that a President should have. For over 150 years before George Washington’s time, America was a colony of the British Empire that controlled the do’s and don’ts of the people living there. However, with the accumulation of laws and acts set forth by the distant British Empire, the...
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...George Washington is well known as the general who helped the colonies gain their freedom from the British. As the first president of a young country, he helped form the government and laws that still exist today. How he acted as president would affect the office from that time on. Washington was born February 11, 1731 in Virginia, which at the time was a British colony. According to the New World Encyclopedia, “Washington was the oldest child from his father’s second marriage. Washington had two older half-brothers: Lawrence and Augustine, Jr and four younger siblings: Betty, Samuel, John Augustine and Charles.” (2) Washington’s parents were of British descent and his father was a plantation owner, which included slaves....
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...The First Party System: Why Thomas Jefferson was Responsible American History to 1877 Thomas Jefferson is responsible for dividing the Federalist party of the late 1700s and creating what is known today as the first party system. Thomas Jefferson, who supported a small national government and individual rights, changed American politics by advocating rights of small planters and western farmers to divide the nation once united behind Federalist ideals. By dividing the once united Federalist party into two separate groups, he was able to gain the support needed to take the office of the President away from the Federalist party. This feat was more than a challenge for Jefferson and would shape the structure of American political parties forever. (1) In 1788, George Washington was the first President of the United States and he chose two men with contrasting views on what the fate of the United States should be as part of his advisory board. Thomas Jefferson was chosen by Washington as the head of Department of State. Jefferson was a Virginian and diplomat, known for his views on small national government and representing the small planters and western farmers of America. George Washington then chose Alexander Hamilton as his secretary of the Treasury. Born and raised in the Caribbean, he worked for Washington as his aid during the revolutionary war and was a lawyer. Hamilton was known for his views on a strong national government. He favored merchants and financiers...
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...The Statesman, The Writer, and the Military Man: How George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Andrew Jackson Helped Construct America’s Identity All of America’s founding fathers contributed greatly to the formation of the United States and helped build this nation through their accomplishments and dedication to making their home a better place for all Americans. But of the 55-plus men whom history has given the name of “founding father,” the contributions of George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Paine (1737-1809), and Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) stand out for their range of accomplishments, their contribution to critical components of democracy and its identity, and to military achievements that helped form the geography of the place we know as America. For me, this statesman, this writer, and this military strategist serve as the greatest examples of the titans of America we call our founding fathers. George Washington was not only our first president to be elected into office, but he is also notable for being the only president in the country’s history to receive a unanimous vote. Although our nation recognizes many founding fathers, Washington is known as the “Father” of The United States for many reasons — and not solely because he was elected as the first President of The United States in 1789 and unanimously elected again in 1792. His accomplishments before, during, and after his presidency have earned him the title “Father” of the United States. Washington assisted...
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...Leadership and the use of Power to Achieve Social Change Daniel William Chappell Dallas Baptist University Leadership and the Use of Power to Achieve Social Change Introduction The United States changed forever on November 4, 2008. Anyone watching a television on this important evening knew that everything had changed. Barak Hussein Obama had just been elected the 45th President of the United States of America, and he represented the first African American to ever win this office. To many the election was a fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream for social and political equality for African Americans. Still others, including the newly elected President, reached back to Lincoln. President Obama would also, invoke the founding fathers, giving credit to the social experiment that democracy is and thus hinting to the efforts of Washington and others. The days that followed the Obama election would be filled with symbolism leading to the concert on the steps of the Lincoln memorial, and the day of service, called by the President, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the day before inauguration. The election of President Obama seemed to have brought full circle the experiment of democracy. The dreams of the founding fathers were present, the echo of Lincoln’s consequential Presidency were present, and certainly the dreams and speeches of Dr. King were front and center in this cultural moment. Yet the cultural moment represented so much more than a continuum...
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...Preface: The Generation In the preface, Joseph Ellis takes his time in explaining the importance of the American Revolution. He starts off by stating that during the 1780’s everyone thought that it was only natural that America verge away from British rule. They all figured that it would be a gradual change; not a full blown revolution. Throughout the chapter, Ellis puts great emphasis on the many things that could have gone wrong during the revolution. He points all these negative events and set backs that he felt could easily have brought the developing America down to show just how great of an accomplishment the revolution was. The Founding Fathers were not completely oblivious to the severity of breaking away from Great Britain. Tom Pain states that, “it is only common sense that an island can not rule a continent (pg.3).” Many assumed that it was only natural that the thirteen colonies govern themselves. They figured that it would be a peaceful break such as the gaining of independence for Ghana or Canada. It was not until later on that the colonies realized that Britain would not easily hand over the land. What I find interesting is that only the Founding Fathers seemed to realize the great events taking place during their time. John Adams even instructed his wife to file and keep all of his records. It is as if he knew that hundreds of years from then, we the future Americans would look back at his notes and recognize his greatness. This makes me wonder why they...
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...A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO THE SIGNET CLASSIC EDITION OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON’S UP FROM SLAVERY By VIRGINIA L. SHEPHARD, Ph.D., Florida State University S E R I E S E D I T O R S : W. GEIGER ELLIS, ED.D., ARTHEA J. S. REED, PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, EMERITUS and UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, RETIRED A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Booker T. Washington’s Up from Slavery 2 INTRODUCTION Booker T. Washington’s commanding presence and oratory deeply moved his contemporaries. His writings continue to influence readers today. Although Washington claimed his autobiography was “a simple, straightforward story, with no attempt at embellishment,” readers for nearly a century have found it richly rewarding. Today, Up From Slavery appeals to a wide audience from early adolescence through adulthood. More important, however, is the inspiration his story of hard work and positive goals gives to all readers. His life is an example providing hope to all. The complexity and contradictions of his life make his autobiography intellectually intriguing for advanced readers. To some he was known as the Sage of Tuskegee or the Black Moses. One of his prominent biographers, Louis R. Harlan, called him the “Wizard of the Tuskegee Machine.” Others acknowledged him to be a complicated person and public figure. Students of American social and political history have come to see that Washington lived a double life. Publicly he appeased the white establishment...
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...UNIVERSAL PICTURES and EMMETT / FURLA FILMS Present A MARC PLATT Production In Association with OASIS VENTURES ENTERTAINMENT LTD / ENVISION ENTERTAINMENT / HERRICK ENTERTAINMENT / BOOM! STUDIOS A BALTASAR KORMÁKUR Film PAULA PATTON BILL PAXTON JAMES MARSDEN FRED WARD and EDWARD JAMES OLMOS Executive Producers BRANDT ANDERSEN JEFFREY STOTT MOTAZ M. NABULSI JOSHUA SKURLA MARK DAMON Produced by MARC PLATT RANDALL EMMETT NORTON HERRICK ADAM SIEGEL GEORGE FURLA ROSS RICHIE ANDREW COSBY Based on the BOOM! Studios Graphic Novels by STEVEN GRANT Screenplay by BLAKE MASTERS Directed by BALTASAR KORMÁKUR –1– CAST Waitress Margie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LINDSEY GORT Roughneck #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HILLEL M. SHARMAN Robert “Bobby” Trench . . . . . . . . . DENZEL WASHINGTON Roughneck #3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AARON ZELL Marcus “Stig” Stigman . . . . . . . . . . . . MARK WAHLBERG Roughneck #4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HENRY PENZI Deb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAULA PATTON CREW Earl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BILL PAXTON Admiral Tuwey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FRED J. WARD Quince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAMES MARSDEN Directed by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BALTASAR KORMÁKUR Papi Greco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDWARD JAMES OLMOS Screenplay by . . . . . . . . . . . ...
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...but great minds rise above them.” Washington Irving, a well-known short story author in the nineteenth century, spoke these words of wisdom. Washington Irving became famous in America for his fine works from The Specter Bridegroom to Rip Van Winkle to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. These satirical sketches are all based on the local areas in New York where Irving resided. His adventures through life spread the word of his writings and he became one of the first renowned short story writers in Europe. Washington Irving was born in New York, New York on April 3, 1783. His mother, Sarah, and father, William Irving, Sr., had eleven children including Washington. He was named after the United States first president, George Washington who was sought to be the greatest hero of all time to his parents. “… He attended the first presidential inauguration of his namesake in 1789” (Biography Channel). Irving was privately schooled and later went to study law in New York after his return from travelling Europe. In 1804 he travelled to France and Italy, while writing journals and letters. When he returned in 1805, Irving continued law school but did poorly for he barely passed the bar exam. (Biography Channel). After Irving finished his studies, he went on to write humorous essay with his older brother William Irving, Jr., and James Kirke Paulding. The Salamagundi papers published the essays in 1807 to 1808. Irving would often use pseudonyms or aliases such as Geoffry Crayon and Diedrich...
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...tells the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great, who asked him "how he dares molest the sea." "How dare you molest the whole world?" the pirate replied: "Because I do it with a little ship only, I am called a thief; you, doing it with a great navy, are called an Emperor." The pirate's answer was "elegant and excellent," St. Augustine relates. It captures with some accuracy the current relations between the United States and various minor actors on the stage of international terrorism: Libya, factions of the PLO, and others. More generally, St. Augustine's tale illuminates the meaning of the concept of international terrorism in contemporary Western usage, and reaches to the heart of the frenzy over selected incidents of terrorism currently being orchestrated, with supreme cynicism, as a cover for Western violence. The term "terrorism" came into use at the end of the eighteenth century, primarily to refer to violent acts of governments designed to ensure popular submission. That concept plainly is of little benefit to the practitioners of state terrorism, who, holding power, are in a position to control the system of thought and expression. The original sense has therefore been abandoned, and the term "terrorism" has come to be applied mainly to "retail terrorism" by individuals or groups.1 Whereas the term was once applied to emperors who molest their own subjects and the world, now it is restricted to thieves who molest the powerful -...
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...Dissent is a feeling or philosophy of non-agreement or opposition to a prevailing idea or institution. It is older than the United States, serving as a privilege and obligation to its citizens. The history of the United States is an ideal example of how dissent ultimately changes society by offering new ideas and perspective. Important issues that dissenters advocated such as taxation, slavery, women’s rights, civil rights, and anti-war sentiments define America. In order for a society to be successful, it must encourage dissent and protect the rights of its dissenters. Dissenters fought to create change and gain rights they believed were denied to them and others. Religious dissent forced European groups such as the Quakers and Puritans, who were persecuted for their beliefs, to seek life in the colonies. During the Pre-Revolutionary Age, Christianity affected all aspects of an individual’s life. Christianity was the basis of decision making in politics and society. Governments often ruled over their subjects, with the notion that they had approval from God and would therefore be granted his mercy for slaughtering innocent individuals, whether it was through crusades or witch hunts. At the time of the seventeenth century, kings and queens final decisions ruled which branch of Christianity to follow; with the constant upheaval in rulers, and exile towards Protestants during the Catholic era and Calvinists during the Church of England era, radical religious ideals began to form...
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