Case studies 1 & 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Case studies 1 & 2 - Essay Example If the decision to promote one of the board members as the direct for the Energy cooperative is beneficial for the masses by providing them with a leading figure or a figurehead for the corporation. Then the company can proceed with the proposal. Ethical relativism in rights theory indicates that there are no universal rights or wrings, however what is accepted as the norm for right and wrong is established to be ethical. As a result as the clients and the external partners of the energy cooperative have the right to now the management at the committee, it is also their right to know that there is no single director at the company. Instead a group of directors precede over the committee for operations and decision-making. The theory of justice depicts that ethical decision are those which are fair to all parties and have integrity. In order to be fair to the clients as well being fair to the other directors on the board of the Energy Cooperative Company the proposal of the director to address to the clients while addressing himself as ‘the director of the company’ should be rejected as it is unfair and lacks integrity. Instead it should be depicted that he is one of the directors on board the Energy Cooperative’ Â   The three levels pertain to pre-conventional, conventional and post-conventional levels. At the pre-conventional level in the first stage pertaining to obedience and punishment orientation, the company could decide against the proposal as there is a threat of a lawsuit from the external partners, clients and the other board directors for misrepresentation. At the second stage which is interest driven, the company could decide in favor if the proposal as it would provide them with a spokesperson form the company that can be perceived as the figurehead and leader in the cooperative for others. At the conventional level in the third stage pertaining to interpersonal accord and conformity the cooperative can deicide in favor

How to Address Conflicts or Dilemmas Essay Example for Free

How to Address Conflicts or Dilemmas Essay 1.1Describe potential conflicts or dilemmas that may arise between the duty of care and an individual`s rights. In our care work we mostly work with children and young people who may not have the ability to judge what is good for them and what is not. In those cases it is our responsibility and job as individuals and as a team to provide them what we judge is best for them. In some other cases they have the skills to get involved in the decisions and this can lead to conflicts and dilemmas. Potential conflicts between the service user and the care worker in our job role can arise from disagreeing in certain questions e.g. what is healthy to eat, what is not, what is more important when having a meal: quality or quantity, what activities or forms of entertainment (films, songs, etc.) are age-appropriate and/or mentally and emotionally adequate and so on. 1.2Describe how to manage risks associated with conflicts or dilemmas between an individual`s rights and the duty of care. If a conflict arises, I can never force a learner to do or not to do things unless the law or the School Policy allows me to (for example if they want to watch an age-inappropriate film, but in these cases I always have to refer to my line manager). What I can do if a conflict in these questions arises between me and the learner is to provide all the information about the risk carried by their decisions in a supportive, encouraging way, and then let them make their own choices. Every time when a conflict arises I should record what actions were taken to provide every source for the learner to make their own decision and what choice they made. I always should seek for advice at my line manager.

Polymorphisms of Crystalline Solids :: Chemistry Engineering Science Essays

Polymorphisms of Crystalline Solids Polymorphism is the phenomenon where a compound can precipitate to form numerous crystal structures. Due to space and time limitations, we have decided to confine the scope of this paper to only include polymorphisms of crystalline solids and not include polymorphisms associated with DNA and genetic related topics. It is important in many areas of technology, that people are aware of the presence of polymorphisms and the properties of the different polymorphisms. The different crystalline structures each have different physical properties, which can change the use of the chemical. The physical properties that may differ from one polymorphism to another include: solubility, density, melting point and even color. One of the variables that affect the crystallization process is the solvent that is used in the precipitation. The solvent may cause less stable polymorphisms to form instead of those that are more stable. Predictions can be made as to which polymorphism wil l be formed based on the solvent and its properties. The mixing conditions also have an affect on the formation of various polymorphisms. (Meyerson) Different polymorphisms can also be formed by manipulating the solute concentrations, flows rates, and equipment configurations. Research involving polymorphisms is becoming increasingly important to the pharmaceutical industry due to the number of pharmaceuticals that are prone to polymorphisms, patents on certain polymorphisms, the differing bioavailability of the polymorphisms and the differing effects of the polymorphisms on the body. (Meyerson) During the 1970’s, G.M.J. Schmidt coined the term crystal engineering and defined it as predicting the crystal structure of solid-state organic molecules (Sharma). In 1989, G.R. Desiraju revised the meaning as the â€Å" ‘the understanding of intermolecular interactions in the context of crystal packing and in the legalization of such understanding and the design of new solids with desired physical and chemical properties’ † (Sharma). Crystal engineering has grown to encompass the study of the hardness and color of solids, nanotechnology, protein receptor binding, pharmaceutical development, and polymorphisms (Sharma). Crystals are used in many areas of science, pharmaceuticals, and materials engineering. Crystals differ from many other organic and inorganic materials because of their ability to form polymorphisms.

Alice Walker: Peeling an Essence Essay

As an African-American novelist, short–story writer, essayist, poet, critic, and editor, Alice Walker’s plethora of literary works examines many aspects of African American life as well as historical issues that are further developed by Walker’s unique point of view. Writers like Alice Walker make it possible to bring words and emotions to voices and events that are often silenced. Far from the traditional image of the artist, she has sought what amounts to a personal relationship with her readers. She has also taken positions of passionate advocacy, most notably in her campaign against ritual genital mutilation of young women, a practice still institutionalized in many parts of the world, as well as the fight for equal rights for African Americans. Her writing has been praised around the world, increasing its profound impact on literature, social and political areas of American life. Moreover, Walker’s turbulent childhood in addition to growing up during an era where African-Americans like herself were fighting for freedom, increased her dedication to become both a reflective and revolutionary author. Alice Malsenior Walker was born on February 9, 1944, in Eatonton, Georgia, to Willie Lee and Minnie Tallulah Grant-Walker. Like many of Walker’s fictional characters, she was the daughter of a sharecropper and the youngest of eight children (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Alice’s father had always taken education very seriously in an era where the schooling of black children, especially black females, was very rare. Nevertheless, Willie enrolled his young daughter in school at the age of four where she was then able to skip two grades up to first grade due to her intellectual potential (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Though it may seem like Alice’s father was unorthodox, Willie was â€Å"blind to his own sexism. † He believed that the traditional role of women was to take care of the house as well as the children. Due to his opinion on the limits of being a women, Alice’s relationship with her father declined over time and was even reflected upon in some of her novels (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Although Walker did indeed challenge the wisdom of her father, she clung tight to her mother for comfort and formed an unbreakable bond. Minnie Walker was Alice’s greatest support system. She approved of Alice’s ebellious ways as a young girl in addition to teaching her life lessons that would be underlying tones in her multiple works (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Walker was a confident young girl until 1952, when an accident involving a BB gun left her blinded her in one eye. Although her older brother offered to pay for an operation to correct the impairment, Walker would never fully recover the sight of her right eye. The young Alice Walker would begin wearing glasses for the remainder of her life. The ridicule and loneliness that was created from her blindness led Walker into writing her first poetry pieces. She found that writing demanded peace and quiet, but these were difficult things to come by when ten people lived in four rooms (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). It was then that Walker became secluded and reserved and dreamed of suicide, but at the same time found solace in writing and became an observer rather than a participator in everyday life. Walker attended segregated schools which would be described as inferior by current standards, yet she recalled that she had terrific teachers who encouraged her to believe the world she was reaching for actually existed (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Although Walker grew up in a poor environment, she was supported by her community and by the knowledge that she could choose her own identity. Moreover, Walker insisted that her mother granted her â€Å"permission† to be a writer and gave her the social, spiritual, and moral substance for her stories. Later before attending college, Alice would ask her mother permission to become a professional writer (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Alice concentrated and studied hard in school. She graduated as valedictorian from her high school and went on to attend the local Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She was greatly influenced by one of her professors there named Howard Zin, who she worked closely with on civil rights rallies. She became a volunteer for registered voters of Georgia and began attending political rallies for civil rights. Zin would eventually become an influence for some of Alice Walker’s later writing. In 1963, Walker left Spelman for Sarah Lawrence College, a place housing only a handful of African American people, most of them men. This was Walker’s predecessor to participating in many civil rights demonstrations and meeting Martin Luther King at his home in recognition of her invitation to the Youth World Peace Festival in Finland (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). 1964 was the turning point for Alice Walker. Realising that she was pregnant she contemplated suicide and slept with her razor under her pillow for three nights (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). During the same week, Walker again turned to writing as a natural outlet for her distress. She stopped writing only to eat and sleep. Thankfully, through the help of a friend, Walker was able to attain a safe abortion. The end product of weeks of anguish was, among other things, a story entitled â€Å"To Hell with Dying† and with the help of teacher Muriel Ruykeyser this was published in 1965 (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). In the same year, she graduated from Lawrence College. After moving to New York City in November of the same year Walker worked for the welfare system. She soon moved back however and in 1966 fell in love with civil rights lawyer Melvyn Laventhal. They met while working at the Head Start Program in Mississippi. The marriage was extremely controversial as Mel Leventhal was Jewish and Caucasian and Walker was African American (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). The union between the couple was the first legal marriage in the state of Mississippi that was inter-racial. In 1968, one year into the marriage, Alice published her poetry collection, â€Å"Once. † This was followed by Mel and Alice’s birth of their first daughter, Rebecca, but the marriage eventually fell apart under the turmoil and strife of the time period (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Alice Walker’s writings continued to create discussions and controversy in both the literary and political arenas. Between 1968 and 1971, Alice would be a teacher in the Black Studies programs at two different colleges. She spent a year at Jackson State College and another year teaching at Tougaloo College. Alice Walker’s writing career would surge in the 1970’s with the publishing of her first novel, The Third Life of Grange Copeland (Smith, Jessie). The predominant issues and themes of her writings were civil rights based. Many of her stories and poems focus on rape, sexism, racism, violence, segregation and relationship problems. It would later be openly announced that Alice Walker had a bi-sexual orientation (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). In 1973, Alice Walker joined Ms. Magazine to publish short stories and poetry. She would also publish many different articles focusing on the theme of civil rights, animal rights and environmental issues. In 1973, Walker would publish the short story collection, â€Å"In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women†, and the poem collection, â€Å"Revolutionary Petunias and Other Poems†. Her second novel talked about the life of being an activist in the civil rights and political movements in the South. It is believed that much of Meridian parallels or reflects on Walker’s own life. Meridian was published in 1976 and earned Walker much recognition (Smith, Jessie). The focus of the book was accepting one’s mistakes and taking full responsibility for our actions. There were no excuses made and people greatly admired and respected Walker for this writing piece (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Her political venues later turned from the problems of segregation and racism in the South to issues abroad. During her junior year in college, Alice Walker did her internship in Uganda. Her experiences in Uganda led her to stand against female genital mutilation; however, the process of female genital mutilation is still practiced today. During her college years, Alice Walker also visited Cuba on several occasions and would take an open political stand against the Cuban Embargos. Her political and social concerns were not strictly limited to the plight of black women in America but were on a global social and political scale (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). After the publication of The Color Purple in 1982, Alice Walker would become a huge name virtually everywhere. The Color Purple would be turned into a movie and a Broadway play (Smith, Jessie). There was a great deal of controversy over the book because the black culture was shown as patriarchal and whites were shown as sexist and racist. The Color Purple looks head on at the situations and plights of the black woman without the worries of being politically or socially correct. The Color Purple was so powerful in character development and insights into issues that it won Alice Walker the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1983. It would later also receive the American Book Award (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). In 1992, she would o onto write the novel, Possessing My Secret Joy which would feature the characters that were descendants from The Color Purple. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction was certainly the most distinguished of all her honors and awards but Alice Walker would go on to receive many others. In 1969 she received the Lillian Award from the National Endowment of the Arts for her publication of Third Life of Grange Copeland. In 1974, Walker received the Rosanthal Award from the Institute of Arts and Letters and the Radcliffe Institute Fellowship for the writing and publication of In Love and Trouble (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Even with all of her popularity, Alice Walker went on to write and publish such popular short stories and novels as You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down: Stories in 1982, Beauty: When the Other Dancer is the Self in 1983, To Hell with Dying in 1988, The Temple of My Familiar in 1989, Finding the Green Stone in 1991, and Possessing the Secret of Joy in 1992 (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Walker continues to publish poetry collections as well. During her battle with Lymes Disease, Walker wrote The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult and a collection of political essays named Anything We Love Can Be Saved: a Writer’s Activism. Within three years she has written a further three books, By the Light of My Father’s Smile in 1998, The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart in 2000 and A Long Walk of Freedom in 2001. In light of the tragedy at the World Trade Centre in New York City, she wrote her most recent work: Sent by Earth: A Message from the Grandmother Spirit After the Bombing of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (Bates, Alice Walker: A Critical Companion). Being an African American growing up in the United States during the 1950s was far from easy. There was segregation in most cities and whites fought against any chance of black freedom. However, by the 1950s, African Americans began to mobilize in earnest against discrimination. They lived in the same culture as white Americans and they wanted to enjoy equal rights. From the 1950s through the 1970s, movements for civil and social rights, equality, and justice swept the United States. Mainstream beliefs about the freedom of African Americans were challenged and protesters prompted the government to intervene and act on behalf of their equality principles. Activists were prominent in local marches, revolts, and peaceful protests that placed thousands of people on the national stage of a continental confrontation. However, people also witnessed major setbacks and difficulties over winning the white men’s approval of equal rights. Overtime, with the perserverence and determination of many human rights advocates, African Americans gained greater access to education and a much broader set of career oppurtunities. As for the justice system during the Civil Rights era, the landmark case of Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas upheld the activists demand to outlaw segregation in public schools (Brennan). Enacted in 1954, this major case symbolized the official start of the Civil Rights movement. A year after this ruling, the Montgomery Bus Boycott hit headlines across the country. Blacks were tired of giving up their seats to white people and being forced to sit in the back of the bus. It was then that Rosa Parks refused to move after the driver ordered her to allow a white man to sit down where she was. This sparked a mode of resistance in which this one-day boycott turned into a year long rebellion. Not one black person rode the Montgomery City Lines for 383 days (Brennan). At first the bus companies did not even press for compromise. Therefore, when they realized that nearly three-fourths of their customers were black, they were already quickly losing money. However, this did not stop organizations like the Montgomery Improvement Association from planning the next steps of boycott. At this point, popular leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. s well as Ralph Abernathy rose to become powerful leaders that would soon dominate the political scene when it came to question over equal rights (Brennan). When it came to peaceful protests, activists like King were arrested for their actions but quickly bailed out by their supporters to allow for the continuation of a steady fight. By 1956, the Montgomery Improvement Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP) attempted to end segregation of the city bus lines through the justice system. After months of legal dispute, the Montgomery City Lines were forced to end it’s policies on racial segregation on December 20,1956 (Brennan). As a result, the bus boycott ended the following day. Especially in the south, whites believed that any change in the social standings of society would disrupt the power balance between blacks and whites. Ultimately, they believed that if African Americans had any power whatsoever that resembled the whites, they would abuse it and revolt, trying to dominate southern society. Throughout the decade, black fears heightened as a result of brutal attacks from groups like the KKK and other gangs. In this time period, the KKK was experiencing its second resurgence since World War I and the popularity of lynching increased (Brennan). The inhumane morals of whites who lynched blacks was publicized in newspapers by journalists such as Ida B. Wells, who additionally worked for the Anti-Lynching Bureau (Brennan). It was no surprise that African Americans felt the need to be equal especially after they served in World War II. Nearly one million blacks served for their country during the 1940s and they believed that America was just as much of their country as it was the whites (Brennan).

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Review

a) Charismatic Leader: McMurphy shows characteristics of a charismatic leader in various ways. McMurphy is transferred to a mental institution for evaluation after he had been convicted of statutory rape. When McMurphy gets to the institution, he feels as the institution is very supressed and has a strict regimen that everyone is expected to follow. Unpleasant medical treatments are used to supress the patients. When McMurphy sees this, he realizes that the environment needs to be lightened up and the patients should be treated like real people. He becomes a leader to several patients at the institution teaching them how to have fun and enjoy themselves in an environment that doesn’t allow them to do so. McMurphy convinces his friends to enjoy themselves by playing cards, breaking out of their shell, and watch baseball games. The patients follow his footsteps and hope to be like him as he displays such charisma that people want to conform and have the confidence he has. This example is evident when the patients are sent up for shock therapy which many patients are afraid of. McMurphy goes up for the treatment and comes back down assuring the patients that the therapy has only charged him up for the next women he will be with. McMurphy also challenges Mildred to change the ward policy which furiates her as no other patient has ever had the courage to. b) Alienation/Outsiders: The patients within the mental institution are alienated from the outside world. They are considered the people who are looking from the outside in. The Institutions head Nurse Mildred treats the patients in a harsh manner, not as If they were people. These people haven’t experienced life to their fullest due to where they are but they still want to enjoy their life. When they look outside they realize the world has much to offer but they are alienated by being contained within the facility. They are also not allowed many visitors which is essentially alienating them from the outside world. c) Rebellion against social norms: When McMurphy realizes what he has gotten himself into as well as seeing his fellow patients he decides to rebel the social norms within the facility. The patients begin to drink, lay cards and bet cigarettes which Nurse Mildred gets furious, evident when she confiscates the cigarettes and rations them out. McMurphy also steals the hospital bus and gathers his friends to pick up a party girl. The group also parties one night sneaking in two female visitors with alcohol and enjoy the night away even though McMurphy has a plan of escaping which fails as he is drunk and fatigued. One of the patients even loses his virginity within the facility which is frowned upon. The rebellious attitude gets the patients into a lot of trouble especially McMurphy as the patients were â€Å"well-behaved† but now are not. ) Changing Group Dynamics: Before McMurphy arrived, the group of patients who were previously present were very â€Å"well-behaved† as Nurse Mildred would say. They followed rules and strict regimen that was provided without questioning anything. They took any punishment and also agreed to unusual medical treatments that were said to help the patients even though they were just a method to suppress them. The patients were very unhappy but just followed the orders that were given as no one had the courage to stand-up. When McMurphy came along, with his Charismatic and daring personality, the patients wanted to conform and be more like him so that they could live their life to the fullest while being contained within a facility. The patients forgot what life was like outside the facility but when McMurphy came along he proved that life could be lived the way you wanted to no matter where you are. e) Authority’s response to rebellion: Nurse Mildred tried to contain the rebellious behaviour by increasing the unusual treatment like shock and hydro therapy. She confiscates cigarettes and does not allow freedom to the patients. When patient Billy is found with a girl in a room within the facility she threatens to tell his mother, using the method of embarrassing the patient so he will regret what he has done and straighten up and refuse to rebel but unfortunately Billy takes his own life. She tightens her grip on the group and has â€Å"humiliation sessions† which furiates many patients but they don’t defend themselves. After a thorough examination of various facilities, I have come to the onclusion that many of these facilities treat their patients in a harsh manner which is completely unnecessary as it may stall the improvement of their current mental state. Mental institutions are meant to aid patients positively and help them become better physically and mentally. As an advocate to reform mental institutions, I propose changing various methods of treatments used on patients as well as the atmosphere they are treated in, to help the patient becoming better rather than worse. The first change I propose is changing the decor of the building. Patients come to the institution to get better. It is proven that visuals and colours affect moods. By changing decor and colours we can make the institution visually seem like a positive atmosphere rather than a dingy one. The second change I would propose is the change in attitude amongst the workers. In the film the staff was shown as a strict, very harsh group. The attitude greatly affects the people you work with and how they respond to you. In the movie the patients were very fearful and quiet due to the intense rules and regulations. As a staff it would be appropriate to make patients to feel at home as they might be staying at the institution for a while. Exuding positive behaviour will change the atmosphere itself. Patients with mental health issues need the positivity around them to get better as well as feel comfortable with being themselves. The third idea I would like to propose is that staff is not allowed to conduct unnecessary treatments to supress the patients just so they will behave. This stalls the improvement in health and just causes fear amongst patients. As said before mental institutions are supposed to aid patients not make them worse. And absolutely NO LOBOTOMY! This is a very serious matter and it will not be tolerated. If a patient is to show rowdy behaviour, he shall be placed in a room alone to think about his actions and if unable to do so they will be given medication so they do not pose a threat to anyone else within the facility. The fourth idea I would like to propose is that, the patients should be allowed visitations and also be allowed to go out. Staying in one place can cause a person to become depressed and feel lonely. This can also provoke thoughts of escaping as seen within the movie. Exploring the outside world and enjoying the world as a human being will allow the patient to feel that they are not contained but are very much like normal human beings. The Last idea I would like to propose is allow â€Å"free days†. Free days allow patients to enjoy themselves such as smoke, drink and party within the facility. A designated room with supervision would allow the patients to enjoy themselves with food, music, drinks. Having these ideas would help the facility work smoothly as possible, with barely any acts of rebelling and any serious issues. The movie could act as an agent of social change and reform as the movie excellently portrays what can happen when patients are in a supressed environment. Patients are people and they have all the rights that people outside the institution do. By watching this movie people can see how such repression can cause patients to act out and this can be used as a precautionary device to see what can be changed in mental health institutions to make them better. Mental institutions can make note on the staff and how facility works and instead of using it as a guide, they can make the institution better. Nurse Mildred and her staff are very strict which doesn’t help the patients if they reformed to a kinder, gentler approach to patients with a positive attitude will help their institution for the best. Personally I enjoyed watching the movie as it displayed the hard truth about some institutions and it made it evident that the institution that was portrayed is in fact a very much part of reality. Many institutions during that period of time or even today may be like that which is very sad. Personally I love Jack Nicholson and his portrayal of the character of McMurphy was very convincing. Nicholson, a charming persona on his own, made the character McMurphy very lovable and understanding even though the crime he was convicted of in the beginning may beg to differ. The charisma Nicholson displayed made it evident why he was chosen to play McMurphy. I felt as he was a very relatable character as a charismatic leader. The portrayal of Nurse Mildred Ratched was also very good. The intense, raw persona portrayed by Louise Fletcher made her seem like in reality she was indeed the same person as Mildred. The intensity between McMurphy and Ratched was totally believable. As for the story, I felt like it was very touching. An individual trying to help others realize their own potential and enjoy themselves within a contained environment with mishaps along the way just depicts the reality of life and friendship. McMurphy realized and felt the fear amongst his colleagues and decided it was time for change. With his rebellious ideas, attitudes and actions he captivates the hearts of his friends and viewers making them want to be more like him; outgoing and courageous. Although the ending is very sad resulting in the death of McMurphy after having a lobotomy, he leaves his legacy, showing the other patients that there is not point of being afraid, life is too short so you must enjoy it to the fullest not matter where you are. I felt like many characters could have been more evident in the movie such as Martini, portrayed by Danny DeVito, an amazing actor who shouldn’t have been limited to his talents. I felt as if most characters were not memorable such as Martini, which is sad as I love Danny DeVito. The Characters beside McMurphy that were evident were Billy and Chief. Chief was only evident because he was a fairly larger man then the rest of the group and also of different ethnicity. He was also the one who put McMurphy out of his misery after McMurphy had received a lobotomy. Billy only became evident to me personally, after he had sex with Candy and he killed himself. Other than that I had not paid much attention to his character. In the film’s defense I would say yes that the attention was mainly on McMurphy, but I was hoping for more from the secondary characters seeing how each one as an individual conformed rather than as a whole group.

Polynomials on ACT Math Complete Guide and Practice

Polynomials on ACT Math Complete Guide and Practice SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Polynomial problems will show up in some way, shape, or form on the ACT two or three times per test. And since polynomials are so deeply connected to other ACT math topics, like operations and functions, it's even more important to take the time to understand them before test day. Luckily, you probably know a lot more about polynomials than you think, and if you're currently rusty on the subject, just a little review will have you knocking out your polynomial questions left and right. This will be your complete guide to polynomials on the ACT- what they are, how you'll see them on the test, and the best way to solve your polynomial problems before time is up. Feature image credit: Linas/Wikimedia What Are Polynomials? A polynomial is any mathematical expression that contains variables, constants, coefficients, and/or non-negative integer exponents. This means that polynomials cover a wide variety of mathematical expressions, so let's break this down. Variable: A variable is any symbol that acts as a placeholder for an unknown value. Some of the most common variables on the ACT are $x$ and $y$. Constant: A constant is any number that exists as a fixed value. For instance, both 7 and -3.278 are constants. Coefficient: A coefficient is any value that is multiplied by a variable. In the term $5x$, 5 acts as a coefficient because it indicates that the variable $x$ is being multiplied five times. Non-negative integer exponent: If we break this term down, a non-negative integer exponent is exactly how it sounds; it is any positive exponent that is also an integer. For instance, $x^3$ fits the definition, but $x^{-2}$ or $x^{1/2}$ does NOT. A polynomial can consist of a single term or multiple terms in a relationship with one another. The values in a polynomial can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided together so long as no part of the polynomial value is divided by a variable. For instance, a term of the polynomial could be $4/15$ or $x/4$, but NOT $4/x$. Polynomials can have no variable (e.g. 4), one variable (e.g. $2x^2 - 6x + x$), or multiple variables (e.g. $y(2xy - 8x + 5z) - q^3$). Examples of Polynomials 6 $12x$ $14 + 2x$ $3y^2 - 4x + 2$ $(75k * 23x^12) + 8$ ${3z - 59 + 6x^7}/5$ NOT Polynomials $2x^{-4}$ (Why not? A polynomial cannot have a negative exponent.) $xy^{2/3}$ (Why not? A polynomial cannot have a fractional exponent.) $6/{2 - x}$ (Why not? A polynomial cannot have any term that is divided by a variable.) Degree of Polynomial Polynomials have degrees and you can tell the degree measure of the polynomial by looking at its exponents. The degree of the polynomial is the value of the largest exponent. For instance, the polynomial $x^2 - 6x + x^3$ has a degree of 3, since the largest exponent value is 3. If the polynomial has no variable (e.g., if the polynomial is simply "9"), the degree measure is 0. And if there is no exponent (e.g., $4x + 2$), then the degree measure is 1. [Note: this only applies is the polynomial has a single variable or no variable. You cannot do this for the polynomial $x^3 - 6y^2 + y^5$, for instance, because it has two variables, $x$ and $y$.] Why is it good to know the degree of a polynomial? The degree measure of a polynomial tells us what the graph of a polynomial looks like. Degree Measure Graph Type 0 Constant 1 Linear 2 Quadratic [Note: though there are more polynomial degree measures and types of polynomial graphs, these are the only ones you will see on the ACT.] Once graphed, these polynomials will look like this: Constant Graph Linear Graph Quadratic Graph Now that we've looked at our pieces, let's see how they fit together. How to Solve Polynomial Questions To solve many constant and linear polynomial problems, you will need to have a basic understanding of operations problems and integers. You will also need to know your way around lines and slopes in the coordinate plane. In this guide, however, we will be primarily focused on quadratics. For quadratic polynomials, you will have to understand how to use two mathematical techniques- factoring and FOIL-ing- to solve for your final solution. This concept is closely related to algebraic functions, so it's a good idea to tackle these topics simultaneously. So let's look at factoring and FOIL-ing. Factoring and FOIL-ing Polynomials Factoring and FOIL-ing are ways of manipulating mathematical expressions and polynomials to expand or reduce the expressions and find the information you need. Again, on the ACT, you will be using both techniques together to find the solution(s) to 2nd degree polynomials (quadratics). FOIL-ing You will use this technique whenever you need to multiply two polynomials together. When you're given a series of parenthetical expressions and must multiply them, you must do so by FOIL-ing them out. "FOIL" stands for "first, outside, inside, last" and this mnemonic refers to the order in which you must multiply together the numbers in the parentheses before you add the results together. To clarify this process, let's look at an example. Say we needed to multiply these expressions: $(2x - 3)(x + 5)$ According to FOIL, we must start by multiplying the "first" numbers of each expression. This will give us the F in our FOIL. In this case, that will be $2x$ and $x$. $2x * x$ $2x^2$ Next, we must multiply the "outside" numbers in each expression. In this case, the outside numbers are $2x$ and $+5$ $2x * 5$ $10x$ Next up, we need to multiply our "inside" numbers, which will give us our I in our FOIL. In this case, our inside numbers will be $-3$ and $x$. $-3 * x$ $-3x$ Finally, we must multiply our "last" numbers, which will give us the L in our FOIL. In this case, our last numbers will be $-3$ and $+5$. $-3 * 5$ $-15$ Now, the final step is to add all of our components together. $2x^2 + 10x - 3x - 15$ $2x^2 + 7x - 15$ This will be our final polynomial expression. Factoring Factoring goes hand in hand with FOIL-ing and acts basically as its reverse. In order to convert a longer polynomial (most often a quadratic equation) into smaller parenthetical expressions, we must factor the equation. This will eventually give us the two solutions to our quadratic function. If you remember your functions, then you'll remember that a quadratic equation ($y = ax^2 + bx + c$) will have two solutions. These solutions are the two values of $x$ when $y$ (the $y$-intercept) equals zero. For example, in the graph below: The solutions are at $x = 2$ and $x = 8$ because this is where the parabola crosses the $y$-intercept and so are the values of $x$ when $y = 0$. Now, if we are instead given a parabola as a polynomial instead of as a graph, we can still find the solutions to the expression by factoring. For instance, let us say that this is our quadratic equation: $x^2 + x - 12$ We know we can factor this equation and we do so by setting up a potential FOIL that will lead us to the final result of this equation. So our parentheticals will look like this: $(x +/-$ __$)(x +/-$ __$)$ We're not yet sure whether we will be adding or subtracting our integers in each equation and we don't yet know what the integers will be, but we do know that we will need a single $x$ value in each to give us our F of $x^2$ when we FOIL them out. Now, we know that the L, last, numbers in the parenthesis will make the final integer value in our quadratic equation. This means that we know that the last two numbers in each of the parenthetical expressions must multiply together to equal -12. Since we also know that the only way to multiply two numbers and get a negative, one number must be negative and one must be positive. This must mean that one of the parenthetical expressions will have a minus sign and the other must have a plus sign. To equal -12, our potential integer value pairs could therefore be: $-1, 12$ $-2, 6$ $-3, 4$ $-4, 3$ $-6, 2$ $-12, 1$ Now only one of these pairs of numbers will work as the solution to our equation, so let us test them out to see which will give us our original polynomial once we FOIL them. $(x - 1)(x + 12)$ If we properly FOIL this expression, we will end up with: $x^2 +12x - x -12$ $x^2 +11x - 12$ This does NOT give us the right equation, so we must try again with another pair of integers. $(x - 2)(x + 6)$ $x^2 + 6x - 2x - 12$ $x^2 + 2x -12$ Again, this is NOT our original equation, so we know that this pair of integers is not correct. We must try again. $(x - 3)(x + 4)$ $x^2 + 4x - 3x - 12$ $x^2 + x -12$ This DOES match our original equation and, since there can be only two solutions to any quadratic equation, we know that all the other pairs of numbers must be incorrect. With this, we have now properly factored our polynomial/quadratic equation, but we still have one more step to go; we must complete the problem by setting each parenthetical expression to zero and solving for the $x$-value. Why? Because, again, the two solutions to any quadratic equation are the two values of $x$ when $y = 0$. Spoiler alert: our parabola will look like this when graphed. So let's take both our parentheticals and set them each to 0. $(x - 3)(x + 4)$ $x - 3 = 0$ $x = 3$ And $x + 4 = 0$ $x = -4$ Once we have successfully factored our equation, we can see that the final solutions to our polynomial graph are: 3 and -4. [Do take note: though it may look like factoring is a long and involved process, requiring tremendous trial and error, it will become much faster and more instinctual the more you practice with it.] Just as there are several different types of floofers dogs, there are several different types of polynomial questions. (Perros/Wikimedia) Typical Polynomial ACT Math Questions You'll see three main types of polynomial problems on the ACT. These are: #1: Factoring and FOIL-ing polynomial problems #2: Graphing polynomial problems #3: Operations (multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction) of polynomials Let's look at each of these types of problems in more detail. Factoring and FOIL-ing Polynomial Problems These are the most common polynomial problems you'll see on the test. Generally, these problems will ask you to find the two solutions to a quadratic polynomial expression. To solve these types of problems, you must follow the same process we walked through in the last section on factoring and FOIL-ing. Alternatively, you can also use the strategy of plugging in answers (PIA) if you prefer not to factor and FOIL. If $2x^2+6x=36$, what are the possible values of $x$? F. -12 and 3G. -6 and 3H. -3 and 6J. -3 and 12K. 12 and 15 Solving Method 1: Factoring To solve this problem, let us first set the equation to zero, so that we can work with the full polynomial expression on one side of the equals sign. $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ $2x^2 + 6x - 36 = 0$ Now let us set up our parentheticals. $(2x +/-$ __$)(x +/-$ __$)$ Just by looking at the polynomial in question, we can make an educated guess as to what integer pair will be used to create -36 as their multiple, out of all the possible number pairings. Most likely, the pairing will be -6 and 6 or 6 and -6 (rather than -1 and 36, -2 and 18, -3 and 12, or -4 and 9) and we can see why if we plug them in. $(2x - 6)(x + 6)$ $2x^2 + 12x - 6x - 36$ $2x^2 + 6x - 36$ This matches our given equation, so we know this must be our proper factored expression. Now we need to finish finding our two solutions by setting each parenthetical to zero. $2x - 6 = 0$ $2x = 6$ $x = 3$ And $x + 6 = 0$ $x = -6$ Our final solutions are 3 and -6. Our final answer is G, -6 and 3. Again, the more often you work with factoring polynomials, the better your instincts will become at finding the right numbers to fill in your FOIL-ing. But don't despair if your instincts haven't gotten there yet or if you would rather solve the question by plugging in answers instead! Let's take a look at how. Solving Method 2: Plugging in Answers If we again take our same polynomial, $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ We could plug in our answer choices in place of $x$ to see which two solutions fulfill the equation. If we start with answer choice F, we would get: $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ $2(-12)^2 + 6(-12) = 36$ $2(144) - 72 = 36$ $216 = 36$ Since this solution is NOT correct, answer choice F cannot be true. Answer choice G gives us: $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ $2(-6)^2 + 6(-6) = 36$ $2(36) - 36 = 36$ $72 - 36 = 36$ $36 = 36$ This is correct, but we must also test the second solution to make sure that answer choice G is the final answer. Both solutions must match in order for the answer choice to be correct. $2(3)^2 + 6(3) = 36$ $2(9) + 18 = 36$ $18 + 18 = 36$ $36 = 36$ Both solutions for $x$ fit our equation. This means that answer choice G (and only answer choice G) is correct. Again, our final answer is G, -6, 3. Graphing Polynomial Problems Sometimes you may be asked to graph polynomials, identify polynomial graphs, or answer questions about given polynomial graphs. To answer these questions, it's a good idea to re-familiarize yourself with the basics of linear graphs and functions, if you haven't already. We know that the solution(s) of a parabola is measured at the intersection of the parabola with the $x$-axis (when $y = 0$). By looking at this graph, we can see that the parabola hits the $x$-axis at two distinct points- one point where the $x$ value would be negative and one point where the $x$ value would be positive. Notice that it doesn't actually matter if we know what the values are, just that one is to the left of the $y$-axis and one is to the right of the $y$-axis. (For more on the coordinate plane and its negatives and positives, check out our guide to ACT points). Our final answer is H, 1 positive real solution and 1 negative real solution. Polynomial Operations The final category of polynomial problems you'll see on the test are operations problems involving polynomials. These will most often be located somewhere in the first fifteen or twenty questions on the test and you'll generally be able to solve them just fine if you are familiar with your algebraic operations. What polynomial must be added to $x^2-2x+6$ so that the sum is $3x^2+7x$? A. $4x^2+5x+6$B. $3x^2+9x+6$C. $3x^2+9x-6$D. $2x^2+9x-6$E. $2x^2-5x+6$ Here, we are adding unknown polynomial $a + b + c$ to our given polynomial $x^2 - 2x + 6$ in order to equal $3x^2 + 7x$. If we know our operations, then we know that like terms can only be combined with like terms. So let us take these polynomials piece by piece. $x^2 + a = 3x^2$ $a = 2x^2$ We know that our first term must be $2x^2$, so we can eliminate answer choices A, B, and C. $-2x + b = 7x$ $b = 9x$ We now know that the second term in our polynomial must be $9x$, which means that we can eliminate answer choice E. Even without finishing the problem, we can confidently select answer choice D as the correct answer. But we can also finish up just to make absolutely sure. $6 + c = 0$ $c = -6$ Once we put our pieces together, we know we must add the polynomial $2x^2 + 9x - 6$ to our given polynomial in order to equal the polynomial that we want. Our final answer is D, $2x^2 + 9x - 6$ Now to slot those last few pieces into place and we're all set to go! Strategies for Solving Polynomial Questions Though you will see a few different types of polynomial problems on the ACT, there are a few strategies you can use to make solving polynomial problems as a whole a little easier. Strategy 1: Remember to Review Your Operations and Functions Guides Operations questions and function questions go hand in hand with polynomial questions, so it's a good idea to keep a close eye on all three math topics and learn how they work together. For instance, it would be difficult to solve your graphing polynomial questions or your operations of polynomials without at least a passing understanding of algebraic operations or functions as a whole. Strategy 2: Write It Out It can become very tempting to work with polynomials completely in your head, especially if you're already familiar with polynomials, factoring, and FOIL-ing. But doing this can lead you to make careless errors and select "bait" answer options. The ACT is a fast paced test and the test-makers know that this kind of time pressure can lead students to start working in their heads to speed up the process. To make the test challenging, polynomial questions often use negatives or large numbers, and so it can be all too easy to fall for a bait answer choice if you do all your polynomial math in your head. Just remember to take a breath and write your information down as you work through your problems to avoid careless errors such as these, especially when it comes to your positives and negatives. Strategy 3: Remember to Use PIA When Necessary If you're not that familiar with factoring polynomial quadratic expressions (or it's just been a long time since you've done it in school) and you're struggling to do so quickly and efficiently, it might be a good idea for you to switch techniques and start using the strategy of plugging in answers to find your solutions instead. It may take a little longer to use this technique, but it will always lead you to the correct solution. So if you've come up against factoring and can't quite manage it for any reason, don't panic- you can absolutely still solve the problem just by using PIA. Test Your Knowledge Ready to put your polynomial knowledge to the test? Then let's dive in! 1. Which of the following is a factored form of the expression $5x^2 -13x-6$? A. $(x-3)(5x+2)$B. $(x-2)(5x-3)$C. $(x-2)(5x+3)$D. $(x+2)(5x-3)$E. $(x+3)(5x-2)$ 2. In the equation $x^2+mx+n=0$, $m$ and $n$ are integers. The only possible value for $x$ is -3. What is the value of $m$? A. 3B. -3C. 6D. -6E. 9 3. 4. What values of $x$ are solutions for $x^2+2x=8$? A. -4 and 2B. -2 and 0C. -2 and 4D. 0 and 2E. 6 and 8 Answers: A, C, J, A Answer Explanations: 1. To solve this problem, we can either factor the polynomial ourselves or we can simply test our answer choices and see which is correct. In this case, let us simply test our answer choices using PIA. Answer choice A gives us $(x - 3)(5x + 2)$. Let us FOIL this out. $(x * 5x) + (x * 2) + (-3 * 5x) + (-3 * 2)$ $5x^2 + 2x - 15x - 6$ $5x^2 - 13x - 6$ This is exactly the polynomial we needed to find so luckily for us, we can stop here. We know by the rules of multiple choice that there will only ever be one correct answer, so we know answer choice A will be the one right solution- no need to test any others. Our final answer is A, $(x - 3)(5x + 2)$. 2. If we remember from our earlier lessons, we know that a factored polynomial will typically have two solutions. For example, if our factoring gives us $(x - 3)(x + 4)$, our final two solutions will be $x - 3 = 0$ = $x = 3$ and $x + 4 = 0$ = $x = -4$. This gives us our two solutions of +3 and -4. So what does it mean that a polynomial only has one solution? It would mean that our factored polynomial would have to be a square. That way the two solutions would be the same. For example, if we had $(x + 7)(x + 7)$, our only solution would be $x + 7 = 0$ = -7. So if our polynomial is $x^2 + mx + n = 0$, and our only solution is -3, then we know that our factoring is going to look like: $(x + 3)(x + 3)$ Why? This gives us our final solution of -3, since $x + 3 = 0$ = $x = -3$. Now, to find the value of $m$, we need to FOIL back out our factoring. $(x + 3)(x + 3)$ $(x * x) + (x * 3) + (3 * x) + (3 * 3)$ $x^2 + 3x + 3x + 9$ $x^2 + 6x + 9$ The 6 is now standing in place of our $m$ variable, so our $m = 6$. Our final answer is C, 6. 3. Though you can set up your own quadratic equation to fit the problem, the easiest way to solve this question is to test out point on your graphs and see which one fits the premise. We are told that the y-coordinate value of any point will be the $x$-coordinate squared minus 1, so let's test each graph. Graph H is a constant graph. As we saw from constant graphs earlier and as we can see here, the $y$-coordinate value never changes. This means that the $x$-coordinates will increase or decrease, but the $y$-coordinate for any point will NOT be exactly 1 less than the $x$-coordinate squared. We can eliminate graph H. For the same reason, we can eliminate graph G; the $x$-coordinate value never changes even as the $y$-coordinate value does. This does not fit our criteria. We can also eliminate graph K, as it would be impossible for such a parabola to open downwards. If the $x$-coordinates values were negative, then anything smaller than -1 (say -2) would result in a positive y-coordinate value, according to our rules. For instance, if $x$ were -2, then y would be: $-2^2 - 1 = 3$. So we are left with two graphs- J and H- both which look promising for the moment. Let us test some values for them. In graph J, we can roughly estimate a few points to be $(0, -1)$, $(-1, 0)$ and perhaps roughly $(2, 3)$. If we go off our premise of $y = x^2 - 1$, then all of these points fits our criteria. $0^2 - 1 = -1$ $-1^2 - 1 = 0$ $2^2 - 1 = 3$ It's pretty certain that J is our right answer, but since we were estimating our points, it's a good idea to rule out graph H if we can. We can roughly estimate three of the points on graph H to be: $(0, 1)$, $(2, 2)$ and perhaps $(-2, 5)$. None of these match our criteria. $0^2 - 1 ≠  1$ $2^2 - 1 ≠  2$ $-2^2 - 1 ≠  5$ We have confirmed that graph J is indeed correct. Our final answer is J. 4. Here we have another problem that we can either factor ourselves or use PIA for. This time, let us factor. First, we need to bring everything to one side of the equals sign, so let us subtract both sides by 8. $x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0$ Now, we can factor. We know we need two numbers multiplied together to equal -8, so one of them must be a negative. These numbers must also add together to equal +2, so our likely pairing will be +4 and -2. Let us test it out to be sure. $(x + 4)(x - 2)$ $(x * x) + (x * -2) + (4 * x) + (4 * -2)$ $x^2 - 2x + 4x - 8$ $x^2 + 2x - 8$ Perfect, we've found our factors! Now we just need to set each to zero to find our final solutions. $x + 4 = 0$ $x = -4$ And $x - 2 = 0$ $x = 2$ Our final answer is A, -4 and 2. Whoo, you did it! No need to toot your own horn, we'll do it for you- congrats! The Take-Aways Polynomial questions can sometimes be tricky, but a solid understanding of functions and operations can help you tremendously when it comes to understanding how to visualize and manipulate your polynomial expressions. Just remember to not underestimate the value of keeping track of your positive and negative signs and you'll be knocking out a not-insignificant chunk of your ACT math section in no time. What's Next? Now that you've taken on polynomials (and no doubt rocked them), you might want to take a look at our other ACT math guides for any individual math topic you could need. From ratios to rotations, points to probabilities, we've got your covered. Running into some snags with your FOILing and factoring? You might want to review the distributive property and perfect squares. What does it mean to complete the square and how is that relevant to polynomials and factoring? Learn about completing the square and when you'll need to use it here. Stuck on an ACT math problem? Whether you're stuck on a study guide, a practice test, or you just want to know how to get yourself out of a math bind on test day, don't sweat it. We'll show you how to figure our when you're really stuck and what to do about it. Want to make sure you're really prepared for test day? We've gathered together the best ACT math resources available and compiled them into one ultimate ACT math study guide. No more hunting for tips and resources- they're available at your fingertips in one easy place. Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Math lesson, you'll love our program. 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Opposition to the War of 1812 From Americans

Opposition to the War of 1812 From Americans When the United States declared war against Britain in June 1812, the vote on the declaration of war in the Congress was fairly close, reflecting how unpopular the war was to large segments of the American public. Though one of the main reasons for the war had to do with the rights of sailors on the high seas and the protection of American shipping, the senators and representatives from the maritine states of New England tended to vote against the war. Sentiment for war was perhaps strongest in the western states and territories, where a faction known as the War Hawks believed that the United States could invade present day Canada and seize territory from the British. The debate about the war had been going on for many months, with newspapers, which tended to be highly partisan in that era, proclaiming pro-war or anti-war positions. The declaration of war was signed by President James Madison on June 18, 1812, but for many that did not settle the matter. Opposition to the war continued. Newspapers blasted the Madison administration, and some state governments went so far as to essentially obstruct the war effort. In some cases opponents to the war engaged in protests, and in one noteworthy incident, a mob in Baltimore attacked a group which opposed the war. One of the victims of the mob violence in Baltimore, who suffered serious injuries from which he never fully recovered, was the father of Robert E. Lee. Newspapers Attacked the Madison Administration Move Toward War The War of 1812 began against a backdrop of intense political battling within the United States. The Federalists of New England were opposed to the idea of war, and the Jeffersonian Republicans, including President James Madison, were very suspicious of them. A huge controversy broke out when it was revealed that the Madison administration had paid a former British agent for information on Federalists and their suspected connections to the British government. The information provided by the spy, a shady character named John Henry, never amounted to anything that could be proven. But the bad feelings engendered by Madison and members of his administration influenced partisan newspapers early in 1812. Northeastern newspapers regularly denounced Madison as corrupt and venal. There was a strong suspicion among the Federalists that Madison and his political allies wanted to go to war with Britain to bring the United States closer to the France of Napoleon Bonaparte. Newspapers on the other side of the argument argued that the Federalists were an English party in the United States that wanted to splinter the nation and somehow return it to British rule. Debate over the war - even after it had been declared - dominated the summer of 1812. At a public gathering for the Fourth of July in New Hampshire, a young New England attorney, Daniel Webster, gave an oration which was quickly printed and circulated. Webster, who had not yet run for public office, denounced the war, but made a legal point: It is now the law of the land, and as such we are bound to regard it. State Governments Opposed the War Effort One of the arguments against the war was that the United States was simply not prepared, as it had a very small army. There was an assumption that state militias would bolster the regular forces, but as the war began the governors of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts refused to comply with the federal request for militia troops. The position of the New England state governors was that the president of the United States could only requisition the state militia to defend the nation in the event of an invasion, and no invasion of the country was imminent. The state legislature in New Jersey passed a resolution condemning the declaration of war, terming it inexpedient, ill-timed, and most dangerously impolitic, sacrificing at once countless blessings. The legislature in Pennsylvania took the opposite approach, and passed a resolution condemning the New England governors who were opposing the war effort. Other state governments issued resolutions taking sides. And it is clear that in the summer of 1812 the United States was going to war despite a large split in the country. A Mob in Baltimore Attacked Opponents of the War In Baltimore, a thriving seaport at the beginning of the war, public opinion generally tended to favor the declaration of war. In fact, privateers from Baltimore were already setting sail to raid British shipping in the summer of 1812, and the city would eventually become, two years later, the focus of a British attack. On June 20, 1812, two days after war was declared, a Baltimore newspaper, the Federal Republican, published a blistering editorial denouncing the war and the Madison administration. The article angered many citizens of the city, and two days later, on June 22, a mob descended on the newspapers office and destroyed its printing press. The publisher of the Federal Republican, Alexander C. Hanson, fled the city for Rockville, Maryland. But Hanson was determined to return and continue publishing his attacks on the federal government. With a group of supporters, including two notable veterans of the Revolutionary War, James Lingan and General Henry Lee (the father of Robert E. Lee), Hanson arrived back in Baltimore a month later, on July 26, 1812. Hanson and his associates moved into a brick house in the city. The men were armed, and they essentially fortified the house, fully expecting another visit from an angry mob. A group of boys gathered outside the house, shouting taunts and throwing stones. Guns, presumably loaded with blank cartridges, were fired from an upper floor of the house to disperse the growing crowd outside. The stone throwing became more intense, and windows of the house were shattered. The men in the house began shooting live ammunition, and a number of people in the street were wounded. A local doctor was killed by a musket ball. The mob was driven to a frenzy. Responding to the scene, the authorities negotiated the surrender of the men in the house. About 20 men were escorted to the local jail, where they were housed for their own protection. A mob assembled outside the jail on the night of July 28, 1812, forced its way inside, and attacked the prisoners. Most of the men were severely beaten, and James Lingan, an elderly veteran of the American Revolution, was killed, reportedly by being struck in the head with a hammer. General Henry Lee was beaten senseless, and his injuries probably contributed to his death several years later. Hanson, the publisher of the Federal Republican, survived, but was also severely beaten. One of Hansons associates, John Thompson, was beaten by the mob, dragged through the streets, and tarred and feathered. Lurid accounts of the Baltimore riot were printed in American newspapers. People were particularly shocked by the killing of James Lingam, who had been wounded while serving as an officer in the Revolutionary War and had been a friend of George Washington. Following the riot, tempers cooled in Baltimore. Alexander Hanson moved to Georgetown, on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., where he continued to publish a newspaper denouncing the war and mocking the government. Opposition to the war continued in some parts of the country. But over time the debate cooled off and more patriotic concerns, and a desire to defeat the British, took precedence. At the end of the war, Albert Gallatin, the nations treasury secretary, expressed a belief that the war had unified the nation in many ways, and had lessened a focus on purely local or regional interests. Of the American people at the end of the war, Gallatin wrote: They are more Americans; they feel and act more as a nation; and I hope that the permanency of the Union is thereby better secured. Regional differences, of course, would remain a permanent part of American life. Before the war had officially ended, legislators from the New England states gathered at the Hartford Convention and argued for changes in the U.S. Constitution. The members of the Hartford Convention were essentially federalists who had opposed the war. Some of them argued that states which had not wanted the war should split from the federal government. The talk of secession, more than four decades before the Civil War, did not lead to any substantial action. The official end of the War of 1812 with the Treaty of Ghent occurred and the ideas of the Hartford Convention faded away. Later events, events such as the Nullification Crisis, the prolonged debates about slavery in America, the secession crisis, and the Civil War  still pointed to regional splits in the nation. But Gallatins larger point, that the debate over the war ultimately bound the country together, had some validity.