Strategic analysis of a company and its competitive environment Essay

Strategic analysis of a company and its competitive environment - Essay Example Tesco offers almost 40,000 food products, including clothing and no-food items there product range includes their own labeled products that account for almost 50% of the total sales of the company (Finance.yahoo.com. 2013). Tesco labeled products are of three grades value, normal and finest thus targeting and offering products all range of customers offering them products of different price ranges. Many of the Tesco stores have gas stations that makes it the UK's largest independent petrol retailer. Tesco has almost 530,000 employees that according to the company policy are called their colleagues and it operates almost 6,780 stores around the world with 3,146 stores in UK thus making UK its largest market and it largely depends upon the UK market as 75% of the revenues of Tesco are from UK market. Tesco also operates online store through its subsidiary Tesco.com (Tescoplc.com. 2013). Tesco is one of the largest retailers in the world and was held responsible for 5.4 million tons of Carbon Dioxide emission in 2010-11. However in 2011 Tesco was named the top retailer globally in the Carbon Disclosure. It was the recognition given to the company for its Carbon reporting and reduction measure that made it the top FTSE 350 Company (Eurofound.europa.eu. 2013). Tesco recognized its responsibility towards environment in 2007 and since then had adopted the climate change strategy to curb the carbon emission from its business and ultimately aims to become the zero carbon emission company. Industry Environment and Competitors Following below are the industry and the competitor analysis of the Tesco: Industry Analysis UK along with Germany, France, Spain and Italy is the largest food and drink producer in the EU. The food and drink manufacturing industry is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK with almost ? 70 billion turnover in the last year while more then 500,000 people are employed by the food and drink manufacturing industry that represents around 13% o f the total manufacturing workforce in UK (SOFHT, 2013). Besides the manufacturing industry food and drink retail sector is the largest industry in UK that employees almost 3 million people. The retail food and drink industry has always witnessed the growth in the UK economy as it is believed that 20% of all consumptions are relating to the food. However the year 2013 brought the growth of revenues at the fastest pace for the retail food and drink industry. Retail sales in July 2013 were 3% higher than of sales in July 2012. The major reason of this increase in revenues is thought to be the heat wave that as the longest period of hot weather that the UK has witnessed since 1997. It was thus due to the weather that people were spending more on food, drinks (alcohol), clothing and other out-door items. The surveys revealed that the grocery stores and the supermarkets dominated the UK retail industry and with every ? 1 spent 42 pence were on food. Especially in July 2013 it was seen th at the consumers spent almost ?7bn per week that is an increase from ? 6.8bn in June 2013 and ?6.7bn in July 2012 (Financial Times. 2013). The food and drink retail industry in the UK has been associated to the supermarkets or the grocery retail stores that along with the traditional stores also provide their products online. UK witnesses one of the world’

Interior lighting Essay Example for Free

Interior lighting Essay Interior lighting not only illuminates dark rooms, creating mood and atmosphere, it emphasizes areas of importance and highlights prized possessions. But selecting the best interior lighting for both practical illumination and as a powerful decorating tool isn’t automatic. You need to develop a lighting plan for each room that serves your lifestyle and complements your personal decorating style (Young). Luminance and Chrominance It is easier to take advantage of these effects when the interior is described in terms of luminance and chrominance. Luminance is closely related to the perception of brightness, whereas chrominance is related to the perception of color hue and saturation. By definition, luminance is proportional to the light energy emitted per unit projected area of source, but the energy in each band of wavelengths of the input is scaled by the corresponding sensitivity of the eye in that band. Therefore, luminance is a measure of the physical energy of the light source reaching the eye, but the incident energy is weighted according to the spectral sensitivity of the eye (Tregenza and Loe). Color The color of an object or surface is determined by its reflected or transmitted light. Color is not a physical property of the things we see – it is the consequence of light waves bouncing off or passing through various objects. What is perceived as color is the result of materials reflecting or transmitting energy in particular regions of the visible spectrum. A light source that emits radiant energy comparatively balanced in all visible wavelengths appears â€Å"white† in color. Passing a narrow beam of the white light through a prism separates and spreads the individual wavelengths, allowing the eye to distinguish among them. The resulting visual phenomenon is called color spectrum. â€Å"White† light sources emit energy at all or almost all visible wavelengths, but not always in an ideal proportion. Almost all sources are deficient at some wavelengths yet still appear to be white. This deficiency influences the perception of colors; the effect is known as color rendition. It causes the graying of some colors while enhancing the vividness of others (Gordon). Daylight A principal characteristic of daylight is its variability. The color of daylight changes with the time of day, the cleanliness of the atmosphere, and the inter reflection of surrounding objects. The intensity of the sun changes with the time of the day, the time of year, and the latitude of the site. The luminance of the sky depends on whether the light is coming from an overcast sky, from a clear sky only, or from a clear sky and direct sunlight. Daylight has two components: sunlight and skylight. Sunlight is the directional beam emitted by the sun; skylight is the diffuse reflection of light from particles in the atmosphere (Gordon). Incandescent Lamps The incandescent lamp depends on passing an electric current through a wire to such an extent that it glows white hot. Tungsten wire is now used, but early lamps used carbon filaments; it is necessary to have a material with a high melting point so that it emits light for reasonable length of time without breaking. The tungsten wire is usually coiled and coiled again to produce a fine filament. This is supported on two wires, which connect it to the electricity supply. The bulb usually contains an inert gas to stop the filament oxidizing; sometimes a vacuum is used. But gradually, as the lamp operates, tungsten evaporates from the filament and is deposited on the inside of the bulb. The filament becomes thinner and eventually breaks. An inert gas filling retards this process and ensures a reasonable lamp life, typically about 1000 hours. The actual life varies within a batch of lamps, and although a mean value can be quoted this may not be helpful. Lamp manufacturers often give the life as the point when they expect a particular percentage of lamps to have failed (Tregenza and Loe). Discharge Lamps – The Glowing Gas Light can be produced by an electric discharge in a gas-filled transparent tube. The discharge is started by applying a high voltage across electrodes at each end. This ionizes the gas filling, enabling an increasing current to flow, and resulting in further ionization. The radiation produced depends in the materials in the tube ad the as pressure. Its spectrum is discontinuous, and comprises bands of radiation at specific wavelengths. Phosphor coatings in the inside wall of the tube may be used to absorb some of the radiation and re-emit it at different wavelengths – especially to convert ultraviolet radiation to energy in the visible range. With all discharge lamps additional equipment is required in the electrical circuit. This produces an initial high voltage to start the discharge, then limits the current during operation and controls the power factor. The power factor depends on the relationship between voltage and current in an ac circuit and affects the efficiency of the equipment. The combined efficacy of the lamp and its control circuit determine the energy efficiency (Tregenza and Loe). The fluorescent lamp is the most versatile package of light available in today’s market. Ranging in light output from 115 lumens to 16,500 lumens in standard sizes, they are available in 40 different wattages and numerous circuit types. Fluorescent lamps are known as gaseous discharge lamps; they produce light by discharging an electric arc through a tube filled with low-pressure gas which contains mercury atoms. Some of the electrons in the arc collide with electrons in the mercury atoms. When collisions occur the mercury electrons are knocked out of orbit and, because they have absorbed energy as a result of the collision, jump to a higher energy level. They return to their normal orbit almost immediately and, in the process, give up the energy which was absorbed (Lindsey).

J.R.R. Tolkien Biography Essay -- J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien was born in South Africa, although he considered himself a British man throughout his adulthood. He experienced World War I firsthand in the trenches. He was a professor of Old English and other archaic languages and had a strong love for such languages. Tolkien also felt a strong tie for his homeland, England, and desired to create mythology for England. Tolkien was able to write the first modern fantasy novel through his life experiences and his love for archaic languages and British lore. Tolkien's mother, Mabel Suffield, left England in March of 1891 for South Africa to marry a man by the name of Arthur Tolkien. They had been engaged for years; however Mabel's father had denied Mabel her marriage due to her young age. Tolkien's father, Arthur Tolkien, had sailed to South Africa a few years earlier to try out his luck in the diamond discovery craze. Only a few short years later, Arthur and Mabel gave birth to a son, named none other than John Ronald Reuel. Tolkien lived in a village surrounded by wilderness in his first few years and faced several adventures. Three of his pinafores were chewed off by a monkey. He avoided several snakes. He stumbled upon a tarantula, and ran around until his nurse grabbed him and sucked out the poison. Perhaps this is why Tolkien includes poisonous spiders in his future tales (Carpenter 13). Mabel and Arthur gave birth to a second son, and within two years Arthur passed away from a severe case of rheumatic fever. After Arthur's death, Mabel and Tolkien's younger brother Hilary returned to England to the West Midlands of England. Tolkien was exposed to the rural and industrial sides of England. The area was heavily polluted and could be the reason for Tolkien... ...orld of JRR Tolkien. URL: http://www.indepthinfo.com/tolkien/biography.shtml (8 May 2005). Rosebury, Ryan. " Tolkien, J. R. R. ". The Literary Encyclopedia and Literary Dictionary. Ed. Robert Clark, Emory Elliott and Janet Todd. URL: http://www.litencyc.com/ (8 Jan. 2001). Tolkien, J.R.R. The Fellowship of the Ring. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977. Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977. Tolkien, J.R.R. The Return of the King. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977. Tolkien, J.R.R. The Two Towers. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977.

Oedipus the King

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once identified the key ingredients of the tragedies that his culture is so famous for. These ingredients include a character with a fatal flaw, the realization of the fault for a particular problem and the final sudden reversal of fortune. For many tragedies, the fatal flaw is demonstrated as excessive pride, which usually serves as the driving force of the play’s action. It is common, even beneficial, to have pride in oneself, but when it becomes expressed as arrogance or in defiance of one’s fate, it is considered excessive and often leads men to engage in activities that will lead to their downfall. Aristotle (1998) stated â€Å"the tragic hero falls into bad fortune because of some flaw in his character of the kind found in men of high reputation and good fortune such as Oedipus. † This attitude, commonly found in men of high station is not specifically identified as pride in the case of Oedipus and, indeed, different readings can place Oedipus’ great flaw in a number of areas. It seems as if Sophocles intended to emphasize the more common interpretation of Oedipus’ flaw being excessive pride, but other interpretations, such as Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1967 film Oedipus Rex, present other possibilities as the main character is brought through the three primary elements of tragedy. In both the play and the film, Oedipus is quickly demonstrated to have a fatal flaw. In the play, the action opens as Oedipus is approached by plague-stricken masses asking help from him as king. He responds to their appeals saying, â€Å"What means this reek of incense everywhere, / From others, and am hither come, myself, / I Oedipus, your world-renowned king† (4-8). In this statement, Oedipus’ pride in his social position is clear. In the film, though, he is seen as somewhat insecure, even as a child when he cheats at a game, and then as a haunted man with a burning mystery searing his dreams, both showing him to be a man of deep passions. Throughout the remainder of the action in the play, Oedipus’ personality clearly reflects excessive pride in his ability to force things his way. When Oedipus learned of the prediction that he was doomed to kill his father and marry his mother, he was full of self-pride to defy the fates and leave Corinth. The film depicts this as a heart-wrenching decision to never go near his parents again in order to save them followed by a time of desperate wandering through barren wastelands. While both versions indicate extreme passion involved in the killing of Laius and the claiming of Jocasta, the Oedipus in the play greets his subjects with almost concealed disdain and the Oedipus of the film greets them with sorrow and deeply shared concern. While Sophocles sets his character up to battle pride, Pasolini prepares him to come face to face with the consequences of passion. It is easy to see the irony in both play and film that if Oedipus had not been so determined to escape and prevent the prophecy, he would have not unwittingly fulfilled it. This is foreshadowed by Creon in the play just before the truth of the story is realized. Creon tells Oedipus, â€Å"You are obstinate— / obviously unhappy to concede, / and when you lose your temper, you go too far. But men like that find it most difficult / to tolerate themselves† (814-819). In this one short statement, Jocasta’s brother sums up the entire tragedy. He points to Oedipus’ stubbornness and pride in being unwilling to consider the possibility that he might be the murderer he seeks. As a result of his own impatience and driving desire to bring honor and further pride to his name, Oedipus becomes excessive in his proclamations regarding motives and punishments to be handed down and then suddenly realizes that he cannot escape the horror of his crimes. This horror is demonstrated in the film to great effect as the confused Oedipus slowly becomes overwhelmed with the possibilities, finally screaming out his confession in a now-customary burst of passion. By the end of the story, Oedipus has come to realize that everything he has done has only served to bring him closer to his evil destiny. In the process of trying to avoid fate, he has committed some of the greatest sins imaginable to him – defiled his mother’s bed, murdered his father and spawned monstrous children born of incest. Rather than face the truth and unable to take the severe wound to his pride, Oedipus stabbed out his eyes with broaches and walked away from Thebes forever, thereby sealing his doom through further prideful actions. The sudden reversal of fortune has Oedipus walking away from Thebes a blind, homeless beggar rather than the respected king he should have been based upon his more noble qualities. While this is a surprise, it is nevertheless a logical possible conclusion to the events that have taken place. This concept is brought out to greater extent in the film through the change in setting. Pasolini begins and ends the film in a contemporary setting to when the film was made. While the play suggests that Oedipus went wandering into the desert a self-blinded beggar man, the film indicates that he has been wandering a tortured individual for much longer than a normal lifespan. Thus, the elements of classic tragedy are carried throughout both play and film to slightly different interpretations. In both, a fatal flaw within the character of Oedipus drives his actions that eventually seal his own doom. Seen as it is throughout the various elements of the classic tragedian format of first demonstrating a noble characteristic to tragic proportions, then becoming aware of it and then suffering as a result of it, it cannot be missed that Sophocles was trying to illustrate to his audience the dangers of an absence of humility and common sense when he highlighted Oedipus’ excessive pride. Pasolini seems to have been more interested in warning his audiences about the sins of excessive passion. This is, in some sense, what Aristotle was trying to communicate regarding the purpose of tragedy, which he describes as â€Å"an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play †¦ through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions† (Aristotle cited in Friedlander, 2005). By illustrating the various things that can go wrong when one believes they have no flaws, Sophocles and Pasolini hoped to encourage a closer connection with truth as a means of avoiding Oedipus’ fate. Works Cited â€Å"Aristotle. † Critica Links. (1998). The University of Hawaii. May 21, 2007 Pasolini, Pier Paolo (Dir. ). Edipo Re. Perf. Silvana Mangano, Franco Citti, Carmelo Bene, Julian Beck & Ninetto Davoli. Arco Films, 1967. Sophocles. Antigone, Oedipus the King, Electra. Oxford World’s Classics. Ed. Edith Hall. Oxford University Press, 1998.

Atheistic Existentialism †Life Domains Essay

Directions: Complete the â€Å"Atheistic Existentialism† column in the table below by filling in the cells from information provided in the textbook. Atheistic Existentialism / REALITY The only reality for an AE is the one they create for themselves†¦everything is matter – everything is connected as some form of matter or energy and in a cause and effect relationship Atheistic Existentialism / KNOWLEDGE The only knowledge comes from our own senses. Atheistic Existentialism / HUMAN NATURE To an AE – humans are allowed free-will, personalities and consciences – but don’t have any reason to do anything with it Atheistic Existentialism / HUMAN PROBLEMS Their problem is that they can’t deal with the fact that they have human personalities and tendencies – but don’t know why, or what to do with it Atheistic Existentialism / SOLUTIONS TO HUMAN PROBLEMS Humans alone have the only solution to their problem and the more they evolve the better they’ll be at fixing them, so live as if your inner desires do have some meaning and try to make an impact on the world. Atheistic Existentialism / HUMAN VALUE Truly there is no ultimate value of a human life, but Humans can have value because they create their own reality by making their own choices – good or bad. Atheistic Existentialism / HUMAN PURPOSE Our only purpose – according to an AE is that of making yourself into who or what you wish to be, otherwise there is no purpose. Atheistic Existentialism / ETHICS Ethics – Schmethics†¦As long as you make a conscience choice to do something – good or bad – you are determining what your ethics are. not living by the laws of man, or any other guide. Atheistic Existentialism / SUFFERING Nothing good comes of it – there is no purpose for it – so don’t do it. Atheistic Existentialism / MEANING OF LIFE There is no real meaning – each individual is able to determine what life means to them by their choices to be or not to be, do or not do, etc. Atheistic Existentialism / HUMAN DESIRE Kill it! Don’t be led by your inner needs, wants, voices, it is absurd to follow these â€Å"accidental causes† of evolution – because you don’t need anything more than the basics to survive. Personal Reflection Directions: Briefly summarize your personal reflection on the information that you have entered into Tables 1 and 2 in this assignment. It is interesting to see the â€Å"evolution† of these 3 worldviews. From the Naturalist who views everything as natural in it’s existence – you exist based on your senses and experiences alone to the Secular Humanist with their realization that humans are wonderful – great creatures with personalities and determinations, but it doesn’t matter†¦to the Atheistic Existentialist (AE) – who finally realizes that the innermost feelings and desires we have as humans do exist, but would be better off â€Å"killed† or cut out than to be nurtured and followed. To me – It is just man’s way of not wanting to give credit where credit is do! So many people feel they have to â€Å"give up† so much to follow God. The only way Satan can â€Å"win† is to have more souls in his army than God. He finds our weaknesses and zeroes in on them to keep us from realizing the truth. Man’s ego and sense of self is historically his ruination. It’s easy to see how in these days, these 3 views – all making humans the only thing that matter and by crossing out God, satan is able to lead many astray. (NIV) Matthew 7:13-14 † 13 â€Å"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.†

International Success and Failures of Canada Goose Inc

International Success and Failures of Canada Goose Inc International success Global demand for the company’s products is increasing every day. Product research on Canada Goose Inc has proven that market awareness in countries with similar weather conditions is increasing in due time. Most of the countries in Europe and especially in Eastern Europe have similar weather conditions like Canada.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on International Success and Failures of Canada Goose Inc specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this regard, customers in countries like Russia and the Scandinavian are now conversant with Canada Goose Inc products. Canada Goose Inc products popularity is now felt in the film industries, where the company’s cold costumes are preferred during filming in cold areas. The fact that the company’s retail business has expanded in more than 40 countries across Europe with headquarters in Sweden is encouraging (Lorinc, 2012). The recent trade engagement between Canada and international trading associations has been critical for the Canada Goose Inc international success. The recent agreement between Canada and the European Free Trade association (EFTA) is an example of how the company is succeeding in international markets. The trade agreement between Canada and the trading association has seen the company perform incredibly well in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Low-cost products from the company are now distributed and sold in Asia and the United States. International failures Cultural differences across potential market regions have resulted to the failure of Canada Goose Inc in foreign markets. From this perspective, the company has been unable to establish a universal brand image that reflects a common organization values. Canada Goose Inc has totally failed in enacting copyright laws that prevent piracy and counterfeiting of products (Bitti, 2011). Canada Goose Inc has suffered immensely from this internat ional problem especially in Asia and in the United States. Moreover, the company continues to suffer from lost sales derived from fake products made by foreign Asian companies. There are concerns that the company has failed in its international mandate of observing animal rights as mandated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). For example, the company has resolved to use coyote fur in manufacturing expensive products.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The failure of Japanese parkas products is associated with infringement of counterfeit products in the market. Consequently, the distribution network in Japan underperformed in a volatile and competitive market. In recent years, the Japanese market has been flooded by products of similar design with original Canada Goose Inc products (Kopun, 2013). Trademark infringement is not only common in Japan, but also in other European markets. The failure to maintain rising demand for Canada Goose Inc products has resulted to compromising of the products quality. This can be evidenced by the increasing cases of counterfeit products in the market. The company has also failed to maintain its market as evidenced by frequent out-of stock products. Canada Goose Inc is losing its market for lack of strategic internet usage. By not utilizing technology in an era that heavily depends on internet for information, the company continues to use conventional methods in battling counterfeits (Wells, 2011). Moreover, copyright laws differ between countries making it difficult for the company to prevent product faking. Another international failure for Canada Goose Inc is its expanded product line for other seasons. This means that the company is now risking venturing in foreign markets in America, Asia and Europe. This attracts stiff competition from other renowned brands and may risk the compa ny into financial debts. Canada Goose Inc has failed by under-investing, in business communication, in markets with stiff competition. References Bitti, M., T. (2011, July 19). Canada goose takes on counterfeiters. Financial Post, 1A. Kopun, F. (2013). Canada goose sues Sears over parka design. Web.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on International Success and Failures of Canada Goose Inc specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lorinc, J. (2012). The golden goose. Web. Wells, W. (2011, November 7). Canada goose anti-counterfeiting strategy key to protecting brand. Financial Post, 1A.

Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President

Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President President Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945) led the United States during the Great Depression and World War II. Paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a bout of polio, Roosevelt overcame his disability and was elected president of the United States an unprecedented four times. Fast Facts: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Known For: Served four terms as president of the United States during the Great Depression and World War IIAlso Known As: FDRBorn: January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, New YorkParents: James Roosevelt and Sara Ann DelanoDied: April 12, 1945 in Warm Springs, GeorgiaEducation: Harvard University and Columbia University Law SchoolSpouse: Eleanor RooseveltChildren: Anna, James, Elliott, Franklin,  JohnNotable Quote: â€Å"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.† Early Years Franklin D. Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, at his familys estate, Springwood, in Hyde Park, New York, as the only child of his wealthy parents, James Roosevelt and Sara Ann Delano. James Roosevelt, who had been married once before and had a son (James Roosevelt Jr.) from his first marriage, was an elderly father (he was 53 when Franklin was born). Franklins mother Sara was only 27 when he was born and doted on her only child. Until she died in 1941 (just four years before Franklins death), Sara played a very influential role in her sons life, a role that some describe as controlling and possessive. Franklin D. Roosevelt spent his early years at his family home in Hyde Park. Since he was tutored at home and traveled extensively with his family, Roosevelt did not spend much time with others his age. In 1896 at age 14, Roosevelt was sent for his first formal schooling at the Groton School, a prestigious preparatory boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts. While there, Roosevelt was an average student. College and Marriage Roosevelt entered Harvard University in 1900. Only a few months into his first year, his father died. During his college years, Roosevelt became very active with the school newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, and became its managing editor in 1903. That same year, Roosevelt got engaged to his fifth cousin once removed, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (Roosevelt was her maiden name as well as her married one). Franklin and Eleanor were married two years later, on St. Patricks Day, March 17, 1905. Over the next 11 years, they had six children, although only five lived past infancy. Early Political Career In 1905, Franklin D. Roosevelt entered Columbia Law School but left once he passed the New York State Bar exam in 1907. He worked for a few years in the New York law firm of Carter, Ledyard, and Milburn. He was asked in 1910 to run as a Democrat for the State Senate seat from Duchess County, New York. Although Roosevelt had grown up in Duchess County, the seat had long been held by Republicans. Despite the odds against him, Roosevelt won the Senate seat in 1910 and then again in 1912. Roosevelts career as a state senator was cut short in 1913 when he was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson as the assistant secretary of the Navy. This position became even more important when the United States began making preparations to join in World War I. Franklin D. Roosevelt Runs for Vice President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to rise in politics like his fifth cousin (and Eleanors uncle), President Theodore Roosevelt. Even though Franklin D. Roosevelts political career looked very promising, however, he did not win every election. In 1920, Roosevelt was chosen as the vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket with James M. Cox. FDR and Cox lost the election. Having lost, Roosevelt decided to take a short break from politics and re-enter the business world. Just a few months later, Roosevelt got sick. Polio Strikes In the summer of 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family took a vacation to their summer home on Campobello Island, off the coast of Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. On August 10, 1921, after a day spent outdoors, Roosevelt began to feel weak. He went to bed early but woke up the next day much worse, with a high fever and with weakness in his legs. By August 12, 1921, he could no longer stand. Eleanor called a number of doctors to come and see FDR, but it wasnt until August 25 that Dr. Robert Lovett diagnosed him with poliomyelitis (i.e. polio). Before the vaccine was created in 1955, polio was an unfortunately common virus that, in its most severe form, could cause paralysis. At age 39, Roosevelt had lost the use of both of his legs. (In 2003, researchers decided it was likely that Roosevelt had Guillain-Barre syndrome rather than polio.) Roosevelt refused to be limited by his disability. To overcome his lack of mobility, Roosevelt had steel leg braces created that could be locked into an upright position to keep his legs straight. With the leg braces on under his clothes, Roosevelt could stand and slowly walk with the aid of crutches and a friends arm. Without the use of his legs, Roosevelt needed extra strength in his upper torso and arms. By swimming nearly every day, Roosevelt could move in and out of his wheelchair as well as up stairs. Roosevelt even had his car adapted to his disability by installing hand controls rather than foot pedals so that he could sit behind the wheel and drive. Despite the paralysis, Roosevelt kept his humor and charisma. Unfortunately, he also still had pain. Always looking for ways to soothe his discomfort, Roosevelt found a health spa in 1924 that seemed to be one of the very few things that could ease his pain. Roosevelt found such comfort there that in 1926 he bought it. At this spa in Warm Springs, Georgia, Roosevelt subsequently built a house (known as the Little White House) and established a polio treatment center to help other polio patients. Governor of New York In 1928, Franklin D. Roosevelt was asked to run for governor of New York. While he wanted back into politics, FDR had to determine whether or not his body was strong enough to withstand a gubernatorial campaign. In the end, he decided he could do it. Roosevelt won the election in 1928 for governor of New York and then won again in 1930. Franklin D. Roosevelt was now following a similar political path as his distant cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt, from the assistant secretary of the navy to governor of New York to the president of the United States. Underwood Archives / Getty Images Four-Term President During Roosevelts tenure as governor of New York, the Great Depression hit the United States. As average citizens lost their savings and their jobs, people became increasingly infuriated at the limited steps President Herbert Hoover was taking to solve this huge economic crisis. In the election of 1932, citizens were demanding change and FDR promised it to them. In a landslide election, Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidency. Before FDR became president, there was no limit to the number of terms a person could serve in the office. Up to this point, most presidents had limited themselves to serving a maximum of two terms, as set by the example of George Washington. However, in the time of need caused by the Great Depression and World War II, the people of the United States elected Franklin D. Roosevelt as president of the United States four consecutive times. Partly because of FDRs long stint as president, Congress created the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution which limited future presidents to a maximum of two terms (ratified in 1951). Roosevelt spent his first two terms as president taking steps to ease the U.S. out of the Great Depression. The first three months of his presidency were a whirlwind of activity, which has become known as the first hundred days. The New Deal that FDR offered to the American people began immediately after he took office. Within his first week, Roosevelt had declared a banking holiday in order to strengthen the banks and reestablish confidence in the banking system. FDR also quickly created the alphabet agencies (such as the AAA, CCC, FERA, TVA, and TWA) to help offer relief. On March 12, 1933, Roosevelt addressed the American people via the radio in what became the first of his presidential fireside chats. Roosevelt used these radio speeches to communicate with the public in order to instill confidence in the government and to calm citizens fears and worries. FDRs policies helped lessen the severity of the Great Depression but it did not solve it. It wasnt until World War II that the U.S. was finally out of the depression. Once World War II began in Europe, Roosevelt ordered an increased production of war machinery and supplies. When Pearl Harbor on Hawaii was attacked on December 7, 1941, Roosevelt answered the attack with his a date which will live in infamy speech and a formal declaration of war. FDR led the United States during World War II and was one of the Big Three (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) that led the Allies. In 1944, Roosevelt won his fourth presidential election; however, he did not live to finish it. Death On April 12, 1945, Roosevelt was sitting in a chair at his home in Warm Springs, Georgia, having his portrait painted by Elizabeth Shoumatoff, when he stated I have a terrific headache and then lost consciousness. He had suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage at 1:15 p.m. Franklin D. Roosevelt was pronounced dead at 3:35 p.m. at age 63. Roosevelt, having led the United States during both the Great Depression and World War II, died less than one month before the end of the war in Europe. He was buried at his family home in Hyde Park. Legacy Roosevelt is often listed among the greatest presidents of the United States. A leader who guided the United States out of isolationism and into victory during World War II, he also created a New Deal that paved the path for an array of services to support Americas workers and poor. Roosevelt was also a major figure in the work that led to the creation of the League of Nations and, in later years, the United Nations. Sources â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt.† The White House, The United States Government.ï » ¿Freidel, Frank. â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 26 Jan. 2019.