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What were the effects of the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a system devised to help fugitive slaves escape from their owners into free states, the north and Canada, often with forged freeman papers. In some cases, white people would pretend to be the slaves' owners to help them evade capture. The railroad operated between 1820 and 1860.When more slaves began escaping their masters, those who were against abolition sought means of strengthening their rights to own slaves. In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law was strengthened to allow slaveholders to chase their slaves in free states. Although northerners began gaining an in..

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What is Woodrow Wilson's "The Study of Administration" about?

In "The Study of Administration," Woodrow Wilson bemoans the public election of government officials. He believes that most voters are not philosophical or sophisticated enough to make good choices. Wilson suggests that a large number of non-elected experts are more qualified to run a government than individuals elected through a democratic process. He calls typical voters “selfish, ignorant, timid, stubborn, or foolish.” Wilson says that poor voters do not come from any one nationality or ethnic group but that they span the diverse electorate.\nIn his essay, Wilson complains that American..

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What is the timeline of Martin Luther King's fight for equal rights?

Born in 1929, King became an ordained minister in 1948 and began practicing his pastorate in 1954 in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1955, the African-American civil rights advocate Rosa Parks was arrested for civil disobedience when she refused to leave her seat and move to the colored section of the bus she was riding. This incident became pivotal in King's campaign against racial discrimination and fight for equality. He called for the bus boycott of the Montgomery transportation system and in a landmark victory in 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation laws in public transportati..

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What are some facts about Chinese immigration in the 1800s?

American businesses actively courted the Chinese to come to the U.S. to fill the growing need for cheap labor in the expanding American industries. Chinese laborers worked in the gold, silver and coal mines of several western states and were also employed as domestic servants and workers in the wool and metal industries. In California, businesses used the credit-ticket system to bring Chinese workers to the U.S. This was a form of contract labor in which the employer paid for the worker's transportation to the U.S. in exchange for their future work upon arrival. These contract laborers, w..

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Is there a list containing the names of veterans who served in certain wars?

Loc.gov provides users with specific information about each of the veterans, including the war they served in, their branch and service location. Individuals can also browse the website by themes, which include stories from veterans related to family ties, patriotism, D-Day and life-altering experiences. FamilySearch.com features lists of veterans who served in World War II. The website also offers casualty and enlistment records.

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Why did the Soviet Union break up?

The proximate cause of the Soviet collapse was the attempt, on Aug. 19, 1991, to overthrow Gorbachev and install a new regime of Communist hardliners. The coup was likely timed to prevent the ratification of a treaty that would have converted the Soviet Union into a European Union-style confederation with less centralized authority. The coup attempt was thwarted when loyal units of the Soviet army, responding to the orders of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, refused to fire on protesters at the Kremlin.\nIn the months following the abortive coup, one republic after another declared independenc..

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Who invented gumboots?

The first Wellington boots were crafted out of soft calfskin leather and extended up to a wearer's mid-calf. In 1852, Hiram Hutchinson, utilizing Charles Goodyear's new rubber vulcanization process, created the classic rubber version of the boot. It was this version that later became popular with World War I soldiers because the waterproof rubber was suitable for muddy trench warfare. As of 2015, rubber Wellington boots are still a popular choice of footwear during spring.

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What weapons did the Roman army have?

The gladius was also known as the Hispanic sword and served as the primary weapon for the Roman army throughout most of its history. It was a short sword that could be used for both stabbing and slashing. Its primary use was stabbing in close quarters, because its sharp point was designed to penetrate armor.\nThe pilum was also widely used by the Romans. It was a long javelin that consisted of a thin iron shank and a heavy, wooden shaft. It could be used as a short-range weapon, such as in hand-to-hand combat, since it also had the capability of piercing enemy armor. Typically, the pilum would..

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Who invented dry cleaning?

Jolly's discovery occurred around 1855 when kerosene spilled on a dirty table cloth, and the fabric became cleaner afterwards. He marketed this technique to others as "nettoyage à sec" (dry cleaning).\nJennings, thought to be the first African American to receive a patent in 1820, worked as a tailor and experimented with various solvents until he found a combination that preserved clothing while ridding it of stains. His invention was known as "dry-scouring."

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Why was Ronald Reagan called "The Great Communicator"?

Reagan gained extensive experience in public communication through his work as a radio sports commentator and as a professional actor. In 1954, he took a job as the host of the General Electric Corporation's weekly television program, which gave him the opportunity to travel to many G.E. plants throughout the United States where he could listen to workers and hone his public speaking skills.\nAfter losing the 1976 Republican presidential nomination, Reagan spent several years writing opinion columns and delivering short political addresses on the radio. Reagan downplayed his nickname of T..

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