Woodbury High School - Warrior Yearbook (Woodbury, CT)

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i.l Manufacturing has always been the chief industry of the state and many of these industries date from colonial times. In the early part of the eighteenth century, hats v ere manufactured here in such quantities that the London merchants complained that imports from Connecticut were ruining their trade. Clocks and watches began to be made about 1773 and 20 years later the manufacture of timepieces had become a thriving industry. At the present time the largest clockworks in the world are located in Waterbury, Connecticut. The brass industry in Connecticut dates from 1802, when the manufacture of brass buttons was begun and today the largest brass factory in the world is located in Waterbury, Connecticut. Connecticut also leads all the other states in the manufacture of silver plate. The iron mines of Connecticut are of great historic interest for from them came much of the iron which was converted into cannon bulls, camp kettles, and other articles used in the Revolutionary War by the American Forces. The anchor of the famous Old Ironsides was made in Connecticut from native ore. As we look back ovor the history of Connecticut, we see traces of the well known Yankee ingenuity . It was necessary for the people of Connecticut to be thrifty and progressive for they had few resources and tho land was far from perfect. They made a little go a long way and used what they had to the greatest advantage. Our ancestors helped to make Connecticut one of the most influential of the states. Lot us, the present inhabitants of Connecticut, carry on tho groat work which they began so many years ago. SALUTATORY ESSAY ----------- WORLD ECONOMICS Charles Martin Sharp The simplest definition of Economics is, How man gets his living ; thereforet World Economics implies how the people of the world gain their living. In studying this subject, the following factors must be dealt with; 1) people, 2) government, and 3) natural resources. We also deal with the interdependence of nations and the interdependence of business. We know that nations such as the United States and Great Britain are world powers, while Brazil and other South-Central American countries are of lesser importance. How many people who have not studied the subject can tell why? Why is Great Britain a first rate power with an area less than that of Wyoming while Brazil, with an area slightly larger than that of the United States, is of so much less importance? These questions may largely bo answered by considering the above named factors; namely— people, government, and natural resources. Of course no nation has a surplus of all these factors, but the great nations usually are stronger in one to make up for any weakness in another. Great Britain serves as an excellent example of how these factors work. The British are wide awake, ambitious, and smart. They know how to take advantage of every break that comes their way. They have taken advantage of their location as well as their resources. They have educated their children so that the younger generation can take the place of the older as the older ones die. Their inventive genius has brought them and the world fine toxtile machinery and the steam engine.

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12 Closely alliod with poople, as a factor in the success of n nation is government. Britain's government has been very stable, ami since the signing of the Magna Charto, has become more and more dom ocr tic although it still retains the king. This fact, that the government has boen stable, has givon the British faith in the monetary system and they have not beon afraid that if they invested thoir money in business they v ould not bo protected. Thoy also knew that if they were trying out now methods they would not be sot back by overthrows of the government. ThiP confidence has aided them greatly. In natural resources Britain is very rich in valuable ores, from an economic standpoint. It has for minerals, the two most necessary fc:r a nation's welfare; largo deposits of coal 'which will probably last for 500 years and large deposits of iron. Croat Britain is surrounded by water which forms a natural protective barrier against enony attacks. It has many fine harbors and there is good fishing off the coast. It has a chain cf mountains down whioh streams flow, giving it excellent waterpower. Its climate is mild and bracing although it is farther north than the United States. The winds bring moist air to the west coast and make excellent grazing land for cattle and horses. Farther east it is drier. Sheep are raised here and here also are located tho woolen mills. All these resources contribute to England's welfare. Now let us oonsidor Brazil. The people of Brazil wore, until the last few years, largely poor, ignorant, Indian, Spanish, and Portugese mixtures. They were not ambitious, partly due to the warm climate in which they livo. Their government has boen upset and overthrown many timoe. Peoplo with capital do not wish to invest it here for fear of losing it booause of political instability. The land i3 mostly fertile except in tho mountainous regions and deserts. The climate of the highland is agreeable to whites, but most of the lowland is damp and hot. Manufacturing has not been developed, for, although it has a large supply of fine iron ore, its coal supply is very small. All the fuel for manufacturing must be imported. The people of Brazil are not highly enough oducated to work in factories or at skilled labor. These are some reasons why one nation is well dovelopod economically v hile another is only of secondary importance. Japan has few natural resources. However, to make up for this lack it has a very strong government and the people are intensely patriotic. The heed cf their government is the head of their religion. Tho Japanese nation steps in and takes for itself whatever is not nailed down. Thoir standard cf living is very low and labor is so cheap that they can sell their goods cheaper in foreign markets than the local manufacturers and still make a profit despite the tariff. The United States, as a nation, is very well off. It lacks only a few minerals, among which are tin and the nitrates. Wo import other materials such as food stuffs and textiles but if necessary we could become nearly self-sufficient. Our waterways, railways, airways, and roads miJce fast transportation possible. We have fine telephone and telegraph facilities and cur radio system is the best in tho world. Wo havo two long coastlines with many excellent harbors. Our lakes are numorous and are excellent resorts for fishing, bathing, and boating. Although wo possess vast amounts of natural resources, wo do not pccsess everything necessary to cur land. Practically overy bit of coffee and rubber used in this ocuntry is imported from Brazil and other countries. Tin is anothor resource which is imported. In some goods we are cnly partially self sufficient. We import beef from Argintina, linen goods from Great Britain, and silks from France and Japan. No nation is able tc exist as well without the aid cf ther nations as it can with them. Some nations carry on a large