Opportunity in America Before the Civil War
Imagine planting roots for a tree; you watch as it grows into a healthy, thriving organism. Sprouting, then doubling its size, then blooming into a large tree. Yet, remember, that all started from the roots, the core, of the tree. When British settlers traveled for freedom, they planted the roots for a thriving civilization today. First the small states, then the 13 colonies, then the addition of each state on the east coast. As America began to grow in population and technologically, we needed more land to expand our achievements and accomplishments. By doubling its land, America could use their resources to the maximum. On April 30, 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France at a cost of $15 million. The puchase of the 800,000 square miles of land was then explored by Meriwether Lewis and Clark, sent by Presidnent Thomas Jefferson out of respect for their leadership in America. Exploring west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains would bring new opportunities in culture, technology, and life into the United States of America. "The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River, and such principal streams of it, as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado, or any other river... for the purpose of commerce"(letter from Thomas Jefferson dated June 20, 1803). When Thomas Jefferson wanted Meriwether Lewis to be one of the leaders of this expedtion, new opportunites sparked for people and America. This was Lewis and Clark's, as well as the President's, chance to pursue thier dreams of exploring new lands, cultures, and other opportunities westward. Lewis and Clark held the opportunity of being the 1st people from America to travel this newly purchased land. It was also Thomas Jefferson's opportunity to make America thrive. jefferson was determined to make the most out of this expedition, so he had no limit on the money invested in this travel. More farm land, water resources, trade, and life could prove to the Americans on the east coast that the country can expand and inspire them to fulfill their hopes and dreams as well. |
Envision working hard to support your own business; it may seem too hard of a task, but once its done, new advantages begin to sprout. It may even seem easier with the help of others who support you and what you are doing. Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) invested $150 million to help small businesses grow and to create jobs in rural America. On April 21, 2014, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of a new investment fund that will help small businesses in rural America grow. The company who will manage the fund, Advantage Capital Partners, and their partners from eight of the Farm Credit institutions agreed to help invest in this to thrive these jobs."The Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and lending associations specifically chartered to serve agriculture and the U.S. rural economy, is an essential provider of credit to agriculture and rural America". Therefore, the partnership of ACP and FCS helps gather resources and people fit for these jobs.
While investing millions and millions of dollars is one of the main benefits of this project, the opportunities granted to the people who will work these jobs outweighs the importance of the money. This investment will create growth for the businesses and job opportunites in rural areas. So, with the creation of so many jobs, small businesses and companies will grow very beneficially. Yet, more importantly, the numerous jobs given to the people creates myriad opportunites in the present and in the future. Partnering so many companies and institutions just to create this investment was most likely a dream wanted to come true by workers in this partnership-which is the true definition of opportunity. Click the link below to connect to the article: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/04/0067.xml&contentidonly-true |