Patrick Henry Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Patrick Henry - Research Paper Example His Childhood Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 to a Scottish-born planter in Studley in Hanover County, Virginia. He was the second born in a family of nine and began attending a local school few years after birth. However, he is reported to have received much of his education from his father, alumni of King’s College in Aberdeen. He is reported to have been a brilliant musical child who liked playing flute and fiddle. At the same time, he used to escort his uncle to religious sermons, where he is thought to have molded his great oratory style (Soylent Communications, 2012). Henry is said to have been a very ambitious boy who knew what is good for him. He began working at the age of 15 when he secured a job as a clerk at a nearby merchant store. However, he later partnered with his elder brother with whom they opened their own store. Nevertheless, the business was not successful as it collapsed few months after opening. It is here that Henry had the first experience of f ailure in his life. He met his wife Sarah Shelton in 1754, who paid him a 600-acre piece of land in the form of a dowry. Henry then resorted to farming by growing tobacco in this piece of land, something that he did for three years before bowing for lack of good returns. Immediately after abandoning farming, a misfortune befallen Henry when their farmhouse caught fire destroying everything they owned. As a result, he opted to take over the management of his father-in-law’s tavern where he got money to study law. He soon got a law license in 1760 after which he began practicing as a lawyer (Raphael, 2004). Politician and Lawyer Henry demonstrated his brilliance a persuasive lawyer soon after beginning his law practice, which made his very famous and reputable lawyer in the entire state of Virginia. This he argued and won a "Parson's Cause" case in 1763, which was meant to change the way church leaders were being paid in the U.S. However, King George III later overturned the la w prompting one of the clergy to sue for back pay thereby wining the case. However, it was Henry’s persuasive argument against the minister’s a move that made the clergy be paid damages. In the case, Henry pointed out high level of royal interference and greed on legal decisions. In the end, he managed to persuade the jury to award the lowest possible award to church ministers (Soylent Communications, 2012). He later developed an interest in politics and was soon elected to the House of Burgesses. His election to the House of Burgesses gave him the opportunity to prove himself as a voice of dissent against the colonial policies pursued by the British government. His radical voice of opposition against the British policies was first witnessed when he strongly opposed the British move to tax every printed-paper used by the colonists through the Stamp Act of 1765. He argued during the debate that only the colony should be allowed to tax its citizens and not the vice versa . In fact, some members in the house are reported to have cited Henry’s comments as treason, but Henry being a courageous man stood his ground. Report indicates that his suggestion on how the matter should be handled received wide media coverage in the U.S. and beyond, as copies to his suggestions were later distributed to colonies, which helped in inciting people against the Briti

Narcotics in the 3rd World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Narcotics in the 3rd World - Essay Example It is a well known fact that Colombia is the only country in the world where the three main plant based illegal drugs are produced in significant amounts and it is involved in illegal drug production, international smuggling and marketing. In the 1980s Colombia became the largest cocaine producer in the world and in the 90s it also became the largest coca grower nation. Additionally, it is also said to produce and supply the major share of heroin consumed in the USA and exports illegal marijuana. In the past few decades illegal drug production and trafficking in Colombia has signed the country’s history. In fact it can be said that in no other country in the history of the world in this illegal market of drugs has had so dramatic social, political and economic effects. The lack of proper policy system to control this market has been a major drawback in Colombia and has contributed greatly to changes in institutions and values. This market has been used to generate funds for left and right wing armed actors of the indefinite war experienced in the country (Thoumi, 2002). These are some of the major reasons that Colombia drug system is so unstable compared to the other countries. Drug-trafficking capital continues to exercise substantial power and influence in Colombia and internationally. This is mainly because Colombia is able to meet its need for raw materials to be processed into psychoactive substances for which there is a demand in world markets (Vargas, 2000). Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan form the Golden Cescent countries. Golden Triangle countries include Laos, Thailand and Myanmar and these are the regions responsible for the majority of opium, heroin and cocaine production. In fact though these groups financed their needs through drug production and trafficking, they cannot be compared to the Colombia market. Colombia is in the middle of an institutional crisis characterized by