Friday, January 24, 2020

Comparing Early American Colonies Essay -- American History

The beginning of the Americas America was a place for dreams, a new beginning, religious freedom and rights. For the people of Europe the Americas was a place to prosper, worship in there own way, and expand there kingdoms. The only problem is that they attempted to settle in their own way and all failed dismally. The New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Colonies grew differently in various ways, but each with the same state of mind, â€Å"do it our way†. Examining the three sets of colonies will prove that they were all different in religion, government, and ways of expansion. New England was started for the search of religious freedom from persecution. England’s government required a strict attendance to the Anglican church. If a person were to refuse, holding separate services, they could be imprisoned and or fined! If the people didn’t take oath of supremacy to the king, they could be jailed for life. Since Charles I was head of the Anglican church what he said went; Charles removed all puritans ministers from his their pulpits. The puritans got fed up with all this persecution and as there ministers left to the new world they followed. One of the New England colonies was Rhode Island. After Roger Williams, a minister, challenged the Massachusetts policy time after time he was eventually banned from this land. In 1636 he purchased land in Narragansett bay and establishes providences. He created this society based on religious tolerance, separating state from church. After four more settlements were established Roger went to England, they got a charter, and established Rhode Island. His government was based on the principle of freedom of worship. Connecticut u can say was an unexpected colony. It started off just as a tra... ... 100 acres of land to each adventurer. He also distributed 50 acres to each person who paid his or her own way and 50 acres more for each additional person they brought along. This was known as the Virginia â€Å"headright† system. They decide to start growing tobacco a huge cash crop, but cant because the lake of labors. The Indians which seemed to have quieted down rows up and massacres huge number people, thus ending the company and the charter being revoked. There are clearly many similarities and differences in overall religious, economical, and governmental origins in American colonies. Many colonies were founded for exclusive religious freedom However, many came to be motivated in by economy and profit. Also, the American colonies evolved from non-representative and elitist governments into a more democratic system, which is closer to the pure democracy of today.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

The Algarve is Portugal’s southern coast

The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast. It is about a hundred miles of marvellous sandy beaches. Most of the beaches round here have red lined cliffs and have unusual rock formations. The villages you find amongst the coasts are unspoilt and have spectacular views. Where ever you go you will find a great variety of bars, restaurants and cafes. The food round this part of Portugal is very cheap compared to other countries. You only have to spend a little money to eat out and enjoy your self. The nightlife here is fantastic and has a very energetic atmosphere. The rugged coastlines here are dazzling And have a very weird kind of atmosphere to them. Costa del Sol is quite famous for its towers and battles that took place in this historic place. The countryside here is studded with these towers and castles and between them tiny towns with huge fields filled with orchards of olive trees and other great delicacy's that this great city has to offer. After a tiring day you can go back to your apartment that is gigantic. (They include bathrooms and kitchens). The nightlife here can get a bit over crowded at times and this city has a tendency to get a bit over ecstatic. The people here are really friendly and help the visitors to fit in. Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands. Ibiza is renowned for its nightlife and partying that goes on on this island. The beaches here are glorious and the cliffs here are even better. The resorts here are magnificent but I suggest that you go and have a lie down on the boiling beach and after that go for a dip in the refreshing sea. The nightlife here is the best out of all the places I have been and I would like to go again. There are huge clubs that you can go to to have a good time and hang around with your friends or family. Ibiza is a place for young and old people and has a huge variety of sports and water sports that you can take part in. Tenerife is in the Canary Islands and is a great place to go to get a tan and enjoy yourself. The south of Tenerife under the cloudless sky the landscape is desert like. This is where two major holiday resorts have emerged. (Paya de Los Americas and Los Cristianos). From these magnificent places you can see the titanic sized mount Teide. This mountain is actually a volcano and at 3,700m high is Spain's highest peak. Tenerife gives off a fabulous 74-84à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½F right through April up until August when the temperature drops a little. The views here are tremendous and have to be seen. You can go trekking on the hills and see the sites and sounds. Rhodes is in Greece. Legend has it that Rhodes was a gift from Zeus to the sun god Helios and any holidaymaker will know why, its magnificent sunshine. Rhodes is known for its speciality of seafood. Rhodes has some of the best restaurants in Greece. There are many villages in Rhodes and most of them are covered with small roads and large trees scattered in the vast open fields. The cliffs are humongous and you can often find large caves in water and above. The Hotels are so big and spacious that you don't have to worry that a rooms going to be too small. The climate here is very good and can be extremely hot in the summers.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

George Sykes Civil War Major General

Born in Dover, DE on October 9, 1822, George Sykes was the grandson of Governor James Sykes. Marrying into a prominent family in Maryland, he received an appointment to West Point from that state in 1838. Arriving at the academy, Sykes roomed with future Confederate Daniel H. Hill. Detail and discipline-oriented, he quickly took to military life though he proved a pedestrian student. Graduating in 1842, Sykes ranked 39th of 56 in the Class of 1842 which also included ​James Longstreet, William Rosecrans, and Abner Doubleday. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, Sykes departed West Point and immediately traveled to Florida for service in the Second Seminole War. With the end of the fighting, he moved through garrison postings in Florida, Missouri, and Louisiana. Mexican-American War In 1845, Sykes received orders to join Brigadier General Zachary Taylors army in Texas. Following the outbreak of the Mexican-American War the following year, he saw service with the 3rd US Infantry at the Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Moving south later that year, Sykes took part in the Battle of Monterrey that September and was promoted to 1st lieutenant. Transferred to Major General Winfield Scotts command the following year, Sykes participated in the Siege of Veracruz. As Scotts army advanced inland towards Mexico City, Sykes received a brevet promotion to captain for his performance at the Battle of Cerro Gordo in April 1847. A steady and reliable officer, Sykes saw further action at Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec. With the conclusion of the war in 1848, he returned to garrison duty at Jefferson Barracks, MO. The Civil War Approaches Sent to New Mexico in 1849, Sykes served on the frontier for a year before being reassigned to recruiting duty. Returning west in 1852, he took part in operations against the Apaches and moved through posts in New Mexico and Colorado. Promoted to captain on September 30, 1857, Sykes participated in the Gila Expedition. As the Civil War neared in 1861, he continued on frontier duty with a posting at Fort Clark in Texas. When the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter in April, he was regarded in the US Army as a solid, uncompromising soldier but one who had earned the nickname Tardy George for his cautious and methodical manner. On May 14, Sykes was promoted to major and assigned to the 14th US Infantry. As the summer progressed, he took command of a composite battalion consisting entirely of regular infantry. In this role, Sykes took part in the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21. Strong in defense, his veterans proved key in slowing the Confederate advance after the Union volunteers wer e defeated. Sykes Regulars Assuming command of the regular infantry in Washington after the battle, Sykes received a promotion to brigadier general on September 28, 1861. In March 1862, he took command of brigade comprised largely of Regular Army troops. Moving south with Major General George B. McClellans Army of the Potomac, Sykes men took part in the Siege of Yorktown in April. With the formation of the Union V Corps in late May, Sykes was given command of its 2nd Division. As in the past, this formation largely consisted of US Regulars and soon became known as Sykes Regulars. Moving slowly toward Richmond, McClellan halted after the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31. In late June, Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched a counteroffensive to push Union forces back from the city. On June 26, V Corps came under heavy attack at the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek. Though his men were largely unengaged, Sykes division played a key role the following day at the Battle of Gaines Mill. In the course of the fighting, V Corps was compelled to fall back with Sykes men covering the retreat. With the failure of McClellans Peninsula Campaign, V Corps was transferred north to serve with Major General John Popes Army of Virginia. Taking part in the Second Battle of Manassas in late August, Sykes men were driven back in heavy fighting near Henry House Hill. In the wake of the defeat, V Corps returned to the Army of the Potomac and began pursuing Lees army north into Maryland. Though present for the Battle of Antietam on September 17, Sykes and his division remained in reserve throughout the battle. On November 29, Sykes received a promotion to major general. The following month, his command moved south to Fredericksburg, VA where it took part in the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg. Advancing to support attacks against the Confederate position on Maryes Heights, Sykes division was quickly pinned down by enemy fire. The following May, with Major General Joseph Hooker in command of the army, Sykes division led the Union advance into the Confederate rear during the opening phases of the Battle of Chancellorsville. Pressing up the Orange Turnpike, his men engaged Confederate forces led by Major General Lafayette McLaws around 11:20 AM on May 1. Though he succeeded in pushing the Confederates back, Sykes was forced to withdraw a bit after being counterattacked Major General Robert Rodes. Orders from Hooker ended Sykes offensive movements and the division remained lightly engaged for the remainder of the battle. Having won a stunning victory at Chancellorsville, Lee began moving north with the goal of invading Pennsylvania. Gettysburg Marching north, Sykes was elevated to lead V Corps on June 28 replacing Major General George Meade who had taken command of the Army of the Potomac. Reaching Hanover, PA on July 1, Sykes received word from Meade that the Battle of Gettysburg had begun. Marching through the night of July 1/2, V Corps briefly paused at Bonnaughtown before pressing on Gettysburg at daybreak. Arriving, Meade initially planned to have Sykes take part in an offensive against the Confederate left but later directed V Corps south to support Major General Daniel Sickles III Corps. As Lieutenant General James Longstreet mounted an assault on III Corps, Meade ordered Sykes to occupy Little Round Top and hold the hill at all costs. Routing Colonel Strong Vincents brigade, which included Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlains 20th Maine, to the hill, Sykes spent the afternoon improvising a defense on the Union left after the collapse of III Corps. Holding off the enemy, he was reinforced by Major General John Sedgw icks VI Corps but saw little fighting on July 3. Later Career In the wake of the Union victory, Sykes led V Corps south in pursuit of Lees retreating army. That fall, he oversaw the corps during Meades Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns. During the course of the fighting, Meade felt that Sykes lacked aggression and responsiveness. In the spring of 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant came east to oversee the armys operations. Working with Grant, Meade assessed his corps commanders and elected to replace Sykes with Major General Gouverneur K. Warren on March 23. Ordered to the Department of Kansas, he assumed command of the District of South Kansas on September 1. Aiding in defeating Major General Sterling Prices raid, Sykes was superseded by Brigadier General James Blunt in October. Brevetted to brigadier and major generals in the US Army in March 1865, Sykes was awaiting orders when the war ended. Reverting to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1866, he returned to the frontier in New Mexico. Promoted to colonel of the 20th US Infantry on January 12, 1868, Sykes moved through assignments in Baton Rouge, LA, and Minnesota until 1877. In 1877, he assumed command of the District of the Rio Grande. On February 8, 1880, Sykes died at Fort Brown, TX. Following a funeral, his body was interred at the West Point Cemetery. A simple and thorough soldier, Sykes was remembered as a gentleman of the highest character by his peers.