Racism At The Institute On Race And Poverty - 1344 Words

Jordan Reber Mr. Bergmann Senior English P3 28 August 2015 Racism in America According to the Institute on Race and Poverty (IRP) in 2000 a white individual making the same income annually as any other race has a seventy-eight percent chance of owning a home, and only a twenty-two percent chance of having their credit denied on a loan, however, minorities like Blacks and Hispanics have a significantly lower chance of both. (Lawrence, and Keleher 3). In fact, Blacks with those same specifications only have a forty-eight percent chance to own a home, and an astounding forty-five percent chance to have their credit denied on a loan. Meanwhile, Hispanics have a forty-six percent chance to own a home, and a thirty-percent percent chance of having their credit denied. While this may seem overtly discriminatory with just a glance, one must first delve into what those numbers actually mean, and the details went into creating those numbers, as well as take a peek into the institution that created those numbers before jumping to the conclusion that it is empirically racist. Recently, racism has exploded into the spotlight worldwide, and especially in the United States of America with stories of racially motivated police brutality and a supposed â€Å"race war† taking center stage. All this coming forty-seven years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sought to end racial tension and racist governmentShow MoreRelatedRace Class Gender 456 Final Exam1311 Words   |  6 PagesL.ADKINS RCG 456 FINAL EXAM L. Adkins Race Class Gender 456 Final Exam Laura Adkins DSU Student â€Æ' L. Adkins Race Class Gender 456 Final Exam 1. Elaborate Noel’s theory on the contact situation of race relations (20 pts). Sociologist Donald Noel’s hypotheses state, â€Å"If two or more groups come together in a contact situation characterized by ethnocentrism, competition, and a differential in power, then some form of racial or ethnic stratification will result (Healey O Brien, 2015, p. 104)Read MoreThe Role Of Institutional Racism During Bridging The Racial Divide1731 Words   |  7 PagesThe role of institutional racism in bridging the racial divide There is now an African-American president in the White House and there is now no visible trace of slavery in America. Racism, in the eyes of the majority is nonexistent. There is a wide assumption that minorities, especially blacks have progressed to the point where job and income equality is no longer a debate. The majority does not think of racism as a serious problem just because enough progress had been madeRead MoreRacism And Racism Essay971 Words   |  4 PagesIs it racism or economics which hinders many African American communities from progressing economically in the 21st Century? This research proposal will address this question by examining the social and psychological impact caused by racism and the economic impact it’s had on the African American community. This proposal will further investigate whether the emotional scars of slavery continue to hamper African American progress or if racism is actually the cause. The economic cost of discriminationRead MoreRacial Discrimination Against Minorities Within The American Workforce Essay1677 Words   |  7 Pageswithin the American workforce is evident. Structural racism is the cause of why qualified minorities lacking opportunities, while lesser-qualified White-Americans are hired. This paper will discuss what structural racism is, how it plays into racial discrimination against qualifieded minorities, what can be done to prevent further racial profiling, and briefly touch on the adverse effects racial prejudice has on the economy. Keywords: structural racism, qualified minorities, racial discrimination DemographicsRead MoreRacism Is Defined As An Ideology Of Racial Superiority1384 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Racism is defined as an ideology of racial superiority followed by discriminatory and prejudicial behavior. Racism can come in many forms such as racial profiling; hating someone for the color of their skin, workplace discrimination, and the stereotypical notion that one race has superior work ethics than another. No matter the origin, racism can have long lasting effects on its victims and the community. We will look how the psychological impact of racism affects the victim mentallyRead MoreBrown vs. Board of Education: Case Study1745 Words   |  7 Pagesviolates the Fourteenth Amendment rights of individuals. The Fourteenth Amendment ensures equal access to services and equal protection under the law. In the words of the court: Segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race deprives children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities, even though the physical facilities and other tangible factors may be equal. The word tangible is used because when the case was argued in the Topeka courtroom, the judgeRead MoreThe Documentary Crude, By Joe Berlinger1371 Words   |  6 Pages grocery delivery company FreshDirect began plans to build their new headquarters and a fueling station along the South Bronx waterfront, a district which is 39% Black and 60% Hispanic according to the Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems. Environmental racism is usually not the overt racism, discrimination, or stereotyping that is splayed out across the media through newspapers and television screens, attracting national attention. Instead, it is more subtle and hidden, such as the placementRead MoreAn Article Published By Arthur C. Brooks, A Writer For1697 Words   |  7 Pagessocial mobility. African Americans who are born in the bottom quintile of the wealth distribution â€Å"have a 50% chance of being stuck at the bottom and a 4% chance of making it all the way up to the top.† (Is America 1:40-2:48). Because of underlying racism and environmental factors, African Americans are not as socially mobile as the white majority in America. In an article which proves the barriers limiting success for immigrants, Zenen Jaimes Perez explains that undocumented immigrants’ â€Å"path to higherRead MoreDifferent Types of Racial Discrimination Essay2563 Words   |  11 Pages What is racism and does it still exist? According to Merriam Dictionary, racism is â€Å"a belief that is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.† Every day, many people experience the harsh act of racism in different forms such as: racial slurs, harassment, or through more obvious acts which are the effects of institutional racist practices. However, something really easy to pin point is that these actsRead MoreA Brief Note On Reverse Racism And Affirmative Action1699 Words   |  7 PagesWe often hear people say things like â€Å"Oh, this person only got into that university because of they’re black† or â€Å"that person only got the promotion because people feel sorry for him or her.† This is a classic example of reverse racism. The most common case of reverse racism is when Caucasian people claim that policies like affirmative action gives people of color an advantage over them. However this is not true at all; what affirmative action was meant to do is allow minorities an equal opportunity

Gender Socialization by the Toy Industry Free Essays

The message of gender socialization being imposed upon young children subliminally becomes quite obvious when one observes the Wal-Mart toy department from an unbiased viewpoint. Normally when I venture into the toy department, which is almost always against my will, I’m on a swift mission. Find a toy to reward my 3 year old nephew with after a good week of daycare and get the heck out of there. We will write a custom essay sample on Gender Socialization by the Toy Industry or any similar topic only for you Order Now However, when you’re child free and walking the aisles, you become bombarded with gender driven propaganda. You enter an aisle that might as well say â€Å"For Boys Only† at the entrance. Taking a look around you see cars and trucks packaged in oversized, brightly or dark colored boxes splattered with images of little boys happily playing with the toy all over the box. You pass fire trucks, police cars, race tracks, cowboys, astronauts and construction toys, all clearly portraying them as â€Å"Boys Toys† so vividly all they’re missing is a button one can push that will shout â€Å"This is so not for girls! On a trip to the next aisle over you become overwhelmed by bright pink or pastel boxes, decorated with flower images or sparkly pictures of little girls playing with the toy. You pass Barbie with her plastic blonde hair and plastic blue eyes, next to her obviously less popular brunette friend, Teresa. Clearly this shows little girls what the â€Å"ideal gorgeous woman† should look like. Barbie shows a woman can conquer the world if she’s wearing the r ight outfit. She can be a CEO, flight attendant, lawyer, nurse, doctor, dancer, princess or astronaut and all she has to do is stand still, look pretty, have monstrously oversized breasts, and wear the right clothes. Who really wants their daughter to believe this is the ticket to success? You see the Easy Bake Oven with a big glossy picture of two young girls baking a small desert. You see tea sets and baby dolls and all you come to find is that girls are being subliminally trained they are to be subservient, attractive, domestic and beautiful. They should be demure, domestic, and trained to raise children. I left the toy section a little nauseous. As a child I was given Hot Wheels cars and Barbie’s. I had a black big wheel with flames on it and an Easy Bake Oven. I had an ant farm and a doll house next to each other in my childhood bedroom, and I think I turned out alright. It’s sad to see children’s genders being shoved down their throats by propaganda, especially now that we have male nurses and women in congress; however, pink is for girls and blue is for boys according to the advertising and toy industries, and I doubt that will ever change. How to cite Gender Socialization by the Toy Industry, Papers

The Treaty of Vienna 1815 Essay Example

The Treaty of Vienna 1815 Paper While the final hectic scenes of Napoleans escapades were still being played out, far broader issues were being discussed by the general diplomatic assembly which had congregated in Vienna. Never before had so many rulers and principal ministers met to hammer out a comprehensive peace settlement. Those men involved in the Congress of Vienna had a monumental task in front of them: that of piecing Europe together once more and of seeking to establish conditions which would give this work of reconstruction a reasonable chance of survival. The principal figures at Vienna included some of the most remarkable everbrought together under one roof. There was the unstable Tsar Alexander I from Russian, the enigmatic Austrian Metternich, the cool, calm Caslereagh representing Britain, the Frenchman Talleyrand and King Frederick William III and his chancellor, Hardenberg leading the Prussian delegation.  All these men wanted what was best for their own country, but they also tried to keep to certain fundamental principles and these determined the overall complexion of the final treaty. In order to prevent another major war, the Vienna peacemakers wished to create a European balance of power, as well as containing the nation regarded as most likely to spark off such a war, France. Another principle, specifically linked to Talleyrand, was that of legitimacy. However, after Talleyrand had ensured the restoration of the Bourbons to France, this principle was on the whole forgotten. Two principles which the delegates at Vienna were strongly criticised for not adhering to more closely were those of liberalism and nationalism, but whether or not these criticisms are entirely justified is an interesting question. We will write a custom essay sample on The Treaty of Vienna 1815 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Treaty of Vienna 1815 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Treaty of Vienna 1815 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The Belgians were one of the first peoples to achieve their liberation from foreigners, only to be placed without their consent, under the rule of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There was however thought to be no alternative at the time as Belgium was situated perilously close to an aggressive and expansionist France. Independence was by no means a unilateral desire in Belgium itself, and had it not been for the House of Oranges disregard for the terms layed down by the diplomats at Vienna, Belgium might have been content to remain under foreign rule for longer than the fifteen years following the Congress. Nationalist feeling in Germany was slightly stronger than that in Belgium, but the chances of a unified Germany were even more remote than those for an independent Belgium. It is fair to say that the unification of Germany was not in the realm of practical politics in 1815. For the representatives of Austria and Prussia, such a notion would have meant negotiating their countries out of existence, and Talleyrand would have been none too happy at the prospect of a super-power landing on his doorstep. However, what was possible in 1815 was a German Confederation which replaced the Holy Roman Empire and although federalism was accepted as the basis for its organization, the Confederation was, in fact, little more than an alliance of practically sovereign states. The act setting up the Confederation required the rulers of the German states to establish constitutions, a fact which should have pleased the European liberals. The people of the Italian states who wanted a united nation had little reason to be pleased, as Italy was given over more completely to the rule of the foreigner than ever before. It is not too difficult to justify the diplomats at Viennas decision to hand northern Italy over to Austria; after all it was in the Italian campaign that Bonapartism was born and later on, it was in Italy that Napoleon III conducted his only successful European campaign. So, if Italy had been granted independence, it is unlikely that France would have waited too long before taking advantage of the situation. Although a Kingdom of Poland was created at Vienna, it was taken for granted by everyone that this territory would be Russian in all but name. Tsar Alexander wanted to create a client-state which would enable him to extend Russian influence farther into Europe than ever before. Many liberal thinkers throughout the following century felt that the treatment of Poland had been unfair, but at least it saved Alexander the trouble of invading Poland, as he no doubt would have done had not it not been given to him  as a satellite state. Again, the peace-makers at Vienna can be defended in their actions concerning the treatment of Norway, where they transfered the Norwegians from Danish to Swedish rule. Norway was allowed her own government, parliament, army and navy and the fact that this  settlement endured until 1905 and was then ended peaceably, is sufficient evidence that the Norwegians did not feel too hard done by. Indeed the fact that no country felt too hard done by is probably the reason that the settlement is credited by some for keeping the peace for the next forty years and preventing a major conflict for the following century. The Vienna settlement should not be regarded as having of itself prevented a major war in Europe, rather it contained in none of its provisions the seeds of a future war between the major powers. What did prevent a major war until 1914 was the determination of the great powers that there should not be such a war and the fact that the settlement involved no major injustice to any of them made this task easier. At the time that the treaty was signed, nationalist feelings in Germany and Italy were not all that strong and when these two countries did eventually succumb to the nationalists desires, over fifty years had passed. The diplomats in 1815 would most probably have made a big mistake in granting unification to the German states or the Italian states as at the time no one was ready for such a dramatic step, least of all the men signing the settlement. Perhaps the greatest critiscism it is possible to level at the settlement is that it sought to keep the clock stopped at 1815 for the next half-century, many people have argued that it was just a little too unwilling to accept change. The powers at Vienna did not appear to perceive the strength of the rising force of nationalism and Metternich clearly states his views on change when he declared that democracy could only change daylight into darkest night, and referred to the ideas of the French Revolution as the disease which must be cured.

Jordan Surname Meaning and Origin

Jordan Surname Meaning and Origin The common surname Jordan  derived from the common Christian baptismal name Jordan,  taken from the river by that name flowing between the countries of Jordan and Israel. Jordan derives  from the Hebrew  Ã—™× ¨Ã—“ן (Yarden), meaning to descend or to flow down. Jordan is the 106th most common last name in America according to data from the 2000 U.S. census. ​Surname Origin: English, French, German, Spanish, Hungarian Alternate Surname Spellings:  Giordano (Italian), Jordann (Dutch), Jordn (Spanish), JORDÃÆ'O (Portuguese), JOURDAIN (French), GEORDAN, GERDAN, Giordan, Jordain, Jordaine, Jordanis, Jorden, Jordens, Jordin, Jourdaine, Jourdan, Jourdane, Jourden, Jurden, Jurdin, Jurdon, Siurdain, Yordan Famous People With the Surname JORDAN Michael Jordan - NBA basketball star.Barbara Jordan - civil rights activist and U.S. Representative.Louis Jordan - saxophonist and singer. Genealogy Resources for the Surname JORDAN The Jordan family DNA project consists of members with the Jordan surname from the USA, Canada, and Europe dedicated to discovering matches between participants that enable them to achieve their goals in genealogical research.   Explore the Jordan family genealogy forum at Genealogy.com for the Jordan surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or ask your own question about your Jordan ancestors. At  FamilySearch.org you can find records, queries, and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Jordan surname and its variations.RootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Jordan surname available through their website. DistantCousin.com is a great place to access free databases and genealogy links for the last name Jordan. References Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Menk, Lars. A Dictionary of German Jewish Surnames. Avotaynu, 2005. Beider, Alexander. A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia. Avotaynu, 2004. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

The Early, High and Late Middle Ages

The Early, High and Late Middle Ages Although in some languages the Middle Ages are labeled in the singular (its le moyen age in French and das mittlere Alter in German), it is difficult to think of the era as anything other than ages plural. This is in part because of the numerous subjects encompassed by this long period of time, and in part because of the chronological sub-eras within the era. Generally, the medieval era is divided into three periods: the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages. Like the Middle Ages itself, each of these three periods lacks hard and fast parameters. Early Middle Ages The Early Medieval Era is sometimes still called the Dark Ages. This epithet originated with those who wanted to compare the earlier period unfavorably with their own so-called enlightened age. Modern scholars who have actually studied the time period would not so readily use the label, since passing judgment on the past interferes with a true understanding of the time and its people. Yet the term is still somewhat apt for the simple reason that we know relatively little about events and material culture in those times. This era is often considered, to begin with, the fall of Rome and end sometime in the 11th century. It encompasses the reigns of ​Charlemagne, Alfred the Great, and the Danish Kings of England; it saw frequent Viking activity, the Iconoclastic Controversy, and the birth and rapid expansion of Islam in Northern Africa and Spain. Over these centuries, Christianity spread throughout much of Europe, and the Papacy evolved into a powerful political entity. The Early Middle Ages are also sometimes referred to as Late Antiquity. This time period is usually viewed as beginning in the third century and stretching to the seventh century, and sometimes as late as the eighth. Some scholars see Late Antiquity as distinct and separate from both the Ancient world and the Medieval one; others see it as a bridge between the two where significant factors from both eras overlap. High Middle Ages The High Medieval Era is the period of time that seems to typify the Middle Ages best. Usually beginning with the 11th century, some scholars end it in 1300 and others extend it for as much as another 150 years. Even limiting it to a mere 300 years, the High Middle Ages saw such significant events as Norman conquests in Britain and Sicily, the earlier Crusades, the Investiture Controversy and the signing of the Magna Carta. By the end of the 11th century, nearly every corner of Europe had become Christianized (with the notable exception of much of Spain), and the Papacy, long established as a political force, was in constant struggle with some secular governments and alliance with others. This period is often what we think of when someone mentions medieval culture. It is sometimes referred to as the flowering of medieval society, thanks to an intellectual renaissance in the 12th century, such notable philosophers as Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas, and the establishment of such Universities as those in Paris, Oxford, and Bologna. There was an explosion of stone castle-building and the construction of some of the most magnificent cathedrals in Europe. In terms of material culture and political structure, the High Middle Ages saw medievalism at its peak. What we call feudalism today was firmly established in Britain and parts of Europe; trade in luxury items, as well as staples, flourished; towns were granted charters of privilege and even established anew by ​feudal lords with alacrity, and a well-fed population was beginning to burgeon. By the end of the thirteenth century, Europe was at an economic and cultural height, perched at the verge of a downturn.​ Late Middle Ages The end of the Middle Ages can be characterized as a transformation from the medieval world to the early modern one. It is often considered to begin in 1300, though some scholars look at the mid- to late-fifteenth century as the beginning of the end. Once again, the end of the end is debatable, ranging from 1500 to 1650. Cataclysmic and awesome events of the 14th century include the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, the Avignon Papacy, the Italian Renaissance, and the Peasants Revolt. The 15th century saw Joan of Arc burned at the stake, the fall of Constantinople to the Turks, the Moors were driven from Spain and the Jews expelled, the Wars of the Roses and the voyage of Columbus to the New World. The 16th century was wracked by the Reformation and blessed by the birth of Shakespeare. The 17th century, rarely included within the medieval era, saw the Great Fire of London, a rash of witch hunts, and the Thirty Years War. Though famine and disease had always been a lurking presence, the Late Medieval era saw the horrific results of both in abundance. The Black Death, preceded by famine and overpopulation, wiped out at least a third of Europe and marked the end of the prosperity that had characterized the high medieval era. The Church, once so highly respected by the general populace, suffered reduced status when some of its priests refused to minister to the dying during the plague and sparked resentment when it enjoyed enormous profits in bequests from plague victims. More and more towns and cities were wresting control of their own governments from the hands of the clergy or nobility that had previously ruled them. And the reduction in population triggered economic and political changes that would never be reversed. High medieval society had been characterized by the corporation. The nobility, the clergy, the peasantry, the guilds- all were group entities that saw to the welfare of their members but put the welfare of the community, and their own community in particular, first. Now, as was reflected in the Italian Renaissance, a new regard for the value of the individual was growing. By no means was late medieval nor early modern society a culture of equality, but the seeds of the idea of human rights had been sown. The viewpoints examined in the previous pages are by no means the only ways to look at the Middle Ages. Anyone studying a smaller geographical area, such as Great Britain or the Iberian Peninsula, will much more easily discover start- and end-dates for the era. Students of art, literature, sociology, militaria, and any number of subjects will each find specific turning points pertinent to their topic of interest. And I dont doubt that you, too, will see a particular event that strikes you as possessed of such towering importance that it defines the beginning or end of the medieval era for you. The comment has been made that all historical eras are arbitrary definitions and, therefore, how the Middle Ages is defined really has no significance. I believe that the true historian will find something lacking in this approach. Defining historical eras not only makes each era more accessible to the newcomer, it helps the serious student identify interrelated events, recognize patterns of cause and effect, understand the influence of a periods culture on those who lived within it and, ultimately, find a deeper meaning in the story of our past. So make your own choice, and reap the benefits of approaching the Middle Ages from your own unique perspective. Whether you are a serious scholar following the path of higher education or a devoted amateur like me, any conclusions you can support with facts will not only have validity but will help you make the Middle Ages your own. And do not be surprised if your view of Medieval times changes over the course of your studies. My own outlook has certainly evolved in the last 25 years, and will most likely continue to do so as long as the Middle Ages continues to hold me in its thrall.

Self-build Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7500 words

Self-build - Dissertation Example Findings revealed that the self-builders are satisfied with most of their projects’ aspects and all share a desire to promote self-building to other families. However, self-builders find the planning and permission gathering process tedious and tend to consume much of their time, money, and energy. Therefore, policy reforms regarding planning and permissions are suggested to alleviate the hardships that self-builders face even at the early stages of the project. Most importantly, the study revealed that planning is a significant component of self-building which primarily influences cost and build time. Self-builders should therefore, take it incumbent upon themselves to put the same effort to planning as they would the actual building. Table of Contents Executive Summary 1 Table of Contents 2 List of Figures 3 Chapter 1 – INTRODUCTION 4 Chapter 2 – EVALUATION OF SELF-BUILD CONSTRUCTION METHODS 7 Chapter 3 – REVIEW OF THE PROCESS OF SELF BUILDING 14 Looking / Finding Land 15 Financing the Self-Build Project 15 Designing the Self-Build Project 16 Planning the Self-Build Project 16 Choosing the Building System 17 Project Management 19 Compliance with Building Regulations 20 Building Contract 22 Compliance to Health and Safety 23 Materials and Scheduling 23 Chapter 4 – ANALYSIS OF THE PILOT STUDY DATA 26 Chapter 5 – CONCLUSION 43 REFERENCES 45 Appendix 1 – SURVEY INSTRUMENT 48 List of Figures Figure 1: Greatest Motivation to Self-Build 27 Figure 2: How Land was Availed of for the Self-Build Project 28 Figure 3: Factors which Facilitated Availment of Land for Self-Build Project 29 Figure 4: Early Problems Encountered in Self-Build 30 Figure 5: Type of Land / Plot Purchased or Used 31 Figure 6: Mortgage Type Availed 32 Figure 7: Build System Used 33 Figure 8: Total Floor Area 34 Figure 9: Status of Self-Build Home 35 Figure 10: Self-Build Project Budget 36 Figure 11: Percent of Budget Covered by Loan 37 Figure 12: Pers on Who Handled the Self-Build Project 38 Figure 13: Build Time 39 Figure 14: Level of Satisfaction on the Outcome of the Self-Build Project 40 Figure 15: Suggested Self-Build Reforms 41 Chapter 1 – INTRODUCTION The construction industry in the United Kingdom provides employment to about 2.4 million people. The sector contributed 8 per cent to the UK Gross Domestic Product. The construction sector also supports all other industries and government services in the UK in terms of their dominant role in the establishment of buildings and infrastructure. This may yet be a signal that as of 2010, the construction sector is springing back up from the slump in 2009 precipitated by the deepening recession (The Construction Industry Training Board, 2010). A review of the construction output reported by Office for National Statistics (2011), however, revealed that total output from the sector dropped by 18.3 per cent in February of this year, from last quarter figures. New work output de creased by 19.1 per cent, while repair and maintenance plummeted by 16.8 per cent. The largest decrease in construction output was in new work for private housing at 23.3 per cent. This documented decline may well be a consequence of the problem of housing affordability which Riley (2005) forecasted to be getting worse in the coming years. The government lost no time in implementing interventions to ease out

Research proposal Assignment & Resarch Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Assignment & Resarch Essay - Research Proposal Example Captain Cook was eager to trade with the people of Nuu-chah-nulth. Word went out of his trade with the people of Nuu-chah-nulth and the profits that he made from the trade. As a result many European settlers moved to the Island bringing with them smallpox and other diseases that killed the Aboriginals; the indigenous people of the Island (Carty, 381). After the infestation and the effects of smallpox, the Island was not as busy in the beginning of the 19th century. However, there were still activities that shaped the present day British Columbia. Before the turn of the century, many Europeans settled in the Island. The Spanish considered the Island to be under its territory because of its explorations in the region in the 16th century. When the Spanish heard of the arrival of the British into the Island, they took their ships creating the Nootka crisis; a crisis that almost led to war between Spain and Britain. After the crisis, the Spanish left Nootka Sound settlement. The influence of the Spanish in the Island came to an end in 1795 after the Nootka Convention. After the Spanish, left British Columbia European explorer merchants begun to get interested in the Island. Most of these merchants were British explorers and traders. Some of the notable people during this period were Simon Fraser, David Thompson and Sir Alexander Macke nzie (Recksten, 280). The three Britons were employees of Northwest Company and were looking for a river route to the pacific. If found, this route was supposed to help their company expand its fur trade. The first to arrive was Mackenzie followed by Fraser; they were both unable to find routes that were fit for trade. It was David Thomson who finally found a route to the Pacific that would be appropriate for trade. During this period, explorers used to lay claim to trade routes that they had discovered. Despite having worked hard to find the route, David Thompson could not lay claim