Critical Issues Contributing to the Persistence of Poverty in our Essay

Critical Issues Contributing to the Persistence of Poverty in our Affluent Society - Essay Example know it,† which effectively withdrew critical support from women, particularly single mothers, and consequently the children they are committed to raise. Shocking as her claims seem to be, Sidel’s facts appear to concur with official statistics by research institutes and policy studies by international organizations. Sidel presents trends and data from the 1970’s to the 1980’s. However, well, into the 1990s, the trends she wrote of continue to hold. In the following table are data compiled by the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College that shows women are worse off than men in both income and asset poverty. It has also been reported that the proportion of the poor in female-headed households climbed from 1959 (17.8%) to 2005 (31.1%). The poverty rate for women-headed households is a much higher figure than other types of households. This trend has led to the development of a phenomenon termed â€Å"the feminization of poverty† by researchers. (Sawhill, 1996) It was also Sidel’s contention that in the late 1970s and 1908s, the United States had the highest poverty rate among Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. A more recent study dated 2003, the poverty rates and percentage of low-wage workers among several countries showed the same trend to persist, with the United States exhibiting the highest rates in both measures. From the foregoing table, it is verified that in the 1990s, the United States continued to register the highest rate for poverty (10.7%) and low rage workers (25%) than the other six countries mentioned by Sidel, confirming her assertion that these are due to conditions prevalent in the United States that are not present or are present to a lesser degree in the other countries. To say, however, that the persistence of poverty in the United States compared to other countries is due entirely to the plight of women and children is generalizing too much to the point of ignoring other issues.

Decision theory Essay Example for Free

Decision theory Essay How could companies use Second Life for new product or service decision making? Companies use second life which includes meeting with the sales manager, discussing about new sales techniques, building a new world where members of second life talk together about product or services and testing the new designs for new product or service before it is released to the world. Thus by taking feedback from all members companies take decisions. . How could financial companies use neural networks in Second Life to help their businesses? Neutral networks are those which involve in pattern or image recognition. This helps companies to get the required information for processing in second life. 3. How could a company such as Nike use decision support systems on Second Life to help its business? Nike uses decision support system (DSS) for information that helps to take decision. But DSS has three main models in it. They are: -Sensitivity: observe changes when variable is changed -What- if? checked what is the impact if variable changed -Goal seeking: seeking to reach goal by making changes. 4. How could an apparel company use Second Life to build a digital dashboard to monitor virtual operations? Apparel uses second life in digital dashboard to monitor virtual operations as it tracks everything in the store which includes number of customers, time spent, items purchased etc. Company also gave a special offer to the second life residents that they get promotional cards if they are shopping in inline-world apparel. Describe how the DoD is using AI to improve its operations and save lives. By using AI the DoD is able to make operations like resupply missions more efficient because human drivers and troops to protect the supply line aren’t needed. AI would also be able to perform dangerous missions without endangering troops. 2. Explain why the DoD would use an event, such as the DARPA Grand Challenge, to further technological innovation. The DARPA Grand Challenge produces lots of different ideas from diverse sources which will produce more efficient technology. The contest is also at a relatively low cost to the DoD because it would cost more than $2 million dollars to produce and test so many models on their own. 3. Describe how autonomous vehicles could be used by organizations around the world to improve business efficiency and effectiveness. If businesses were able to transport their goods without human transportation controllers it would cut costs and eliminate some of the risks from human error. 4. The Ansari X is another technological innovation competition focusing on spacecraft.

First Persian Gulf War: 1990-1991 Essay -- history

First Persian Gulf War: 1990-1991 The First Persian Gulf War between 1990 and 1991 was the most militarily efficient campaign in US history where comparatively few lives were lost. This war accomplished many goals, including that it secured the economic advantages for the â€Å"Western World†. It encouraged a free flow of natural resources, established the value of air power and superiority, and verified that a free alliance for justice will prevail over armed aggression. In the end, the United State’s goals were accomplished: Kuwait was liberated from Saddam and peace settled into the Middle East (Rayment). The Soviet Union attacked Afghanistan on December 27, 1979. This posed a threat on the United States because of their oil ties in this area. On January 23, 1980 President Jimmy Carter responded with a statement called the Carter Doctrine. In this, Carter stated that, â€Å"An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.† (Richie, 25). Ten years later, United States officials were reminded of the Doctrine as signs of an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein began to appear. With a portion of the world’s oil of eleven percent, this invasion would add another nine percent. Not only was this dangerous but if Iraq continued a southern advance, he would gain the oil of Saudi Arabia. Saddam could possibly control forty-six percent of the world’s oil supply and manipulate the global economy (Richie, 25). On July 17, 1990, photos from a KH-11 spy satellite showed that Iraqi military equipment was being positioned near the Kuwait border .General Colin Powell was not concerned with this advancement because the lineup did not include necessary equipment such as fuel trucks and artillery that would be needed for an invasion. Powell believed that this was just a practice exercise or a bluff because Saddam had been pressing Kuwait to lower the oil production in order to keep the prices high (Richie, 26). Kuwait was a small country that had once been part of the Ottoman Empire like Iraq. Then Kuwait had become a British Protectorate from which it had been granted its independence. Its borders had been set in a subjective manner causing it to be difficult to de... ...s pride, and possibly his life. Saddam and his troops were not the only ones to have made faults (Marshel). Had the United States carried out their task, Saddam would not have repressed his own people, violated peace agreements and worked on weapons of mass destruction (Rayment). The United States was able to keep Saddam from succeeding in his attempt to conquer the Middle East eight years ago, but they stopped when they should have pursued the most (Marshel). Without the errors that both sides had made, the present day world would have been affected in a completely different way. Works Cited Allen, Thomas B., et al. War in the Gulf. Atlanta, Georgia: Turner Pub., 1991. Bush, George. â€Å"Persian Gulf War.† Annals of American History. 3 Mar. 2004 "Desert Storm 1: 1990-1991." Gulf War. 2003. 3 Mar. 2004 . Lee, Roger A. â€Å"The Persian Gulf War (1990-1991).† The History Guy. 14 Aug. 2001. 3 Mar. 2004 Marshel, Jim. "Mistakes of the Gulf War." Unpublished essay, 13 Mar. 1998. 3 Mar. 2004 . Rayment, W. J. The Gulf War. 2004. 3 Mar. 2004 . Richie, Jason. â€Å"Persian Gulf War, 1991.† Iraq and the Fall of Saddam Hussein. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Oliver Press, 2003.

Who or What Is Responsible for the Downfall of Macbeth

â€Å"Who or what is responsible for the downfall of Macbeth† â€Å"For brave Macbeth–well he deserves that name– Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valour's minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,And fix'd his head upon our battlements. † – Act 1 scene II â€Å"The tragedy of Macbeth† is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays about a man who murders his king and continues to commit other acts of villainy to secure his position of power.The broad spectrum for the downfall of Macbeth would include the three witches, Lady Macbeth and who else but Macbeth himself. For it is his own ambitious nature, insecurity and fear that drives him into creating his own ruination. Our first impression of the character Macbeth is through the words of others, the wounded sergeant wh o praises him for his valor. This is followed by Duncan’s words of praise as he refers to him as â€Å"O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! †.However these heroic accolades do not seem to last long as our perception of his character is tainted after his meeting with the witches. Macbeth is shown to be entranced by the prophecies made by the witches and moves through a dreamlike state and seems to be â€Å"possessed† or in a trance (whether it being literal or simply an act of his own doubts this is debatable). Some may see Macbeth simply as a puppet being controlled by supernatural forces as he is twice described to be â€Å"rapt† and be quick to blame his downfall on a twisted turn of fate, or inedibility.Though the witches are held responsible for the initial inception of the idea, judging that Macbeth is one of sound mind and body, he should be strong willed enough to be able to resist temptations. In fact his inability to do so, is further echoed in ou r hearts by the comparison between his and Banquo’s reaction. After the second prophecy becomes true, Macbeth’s first thoughts turn to murder. He demonstrates his terror at having these thoughts and â€Å"horrible imaginings† enter his mind, with his heart â€Å"knocking at his ribs†. From this e can gather that Macbeth would have originally possessed the ambitious murderous nature that proceeds to take over, giving the readers a glimpse at his â€Å"darker side†. His earlier thoughts of betrayal can also be seen from his reaction to Duncan naming Malcom his successor. â€Å"Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires: / The eye wink at the hand! yet let that be, /† Macbeth is disappointed in Duncan’s choice and once again thinks about murder to gain kingship, a clear example of how his ambition begins to brew within him.Though Macbeth is ultimately responsible for his own tragedy, Shakespeare paints the role s of women in the play as evil, manipulative and ambitious, even going far enough to push past traditional female virtues to create characters that enrich the plot. Exploring the relationship between gender, masculinity and power, bringing in ideals of bravery, power, violence and force of will. A correlation between manhood and displays of violence and cruelty is also heavily implied by the characters. Throughout the play Lady Macbeth is seen as a frighteningly manipulative woman, as she constantly emasculates her husband.Knowing of his desperation to prove his manliness, she calls him a coward and insults his manliness, Macbeth falls a dumb victim to this manipulation. Many argue that since Shakespeare’s treatment of women is misogynistic, the women of this play must be held responsible as it is heavily implied that women are the cause for the bloody action of this play, however this is not the case. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are the heart of the play, as it is only thr ough their ambitious nature which drives the bloody motion in the play forward.However later on in the play, Macbeth is shown to act more willfully, shown by his improvisations on the morning of Duncan’s murder, his decision to murder Banquo and Fleance, his decision to kill Macduff’s wife and child and even acts indifferently to the news of his wife’s death. He begins to gradually isolate himself from his wife, clearly indicating how he has cut all ties with Lady Macbeth as his lust for kingship takes over and consumes him, once again acting upon his own free will.Though a man of unspeakable evil, Macbeth differs from the traditional Shakespearean villain as he is unable to completely conquer his feelings of guilt and self doubt, enabling a much more complex emotional turmoil, displaying the dramatic collapse from what he was to what he became. Throughout the play, Shakespeare brings out the ambivalent personality of Macbeth (this being particularly obvious in the early stages after certain encounters with women) as blind ambition obliterates his earlier attributes as he comes out as a tyrant.His ambitious nature has clearly lead to ill effects upon himself, as he becomes tempted with these ideals and becomes a tyrant. Throughout the play, Macbeth’s dialogue and actions showcase his overwhelming guilt (appearing in physical forms of apparitions and hallucinations). Demonstrating that Macbeth is fully aware of his wrongdoings and understands that his actions are corrupt. Despite the guilt that is driving him insane, Macbeth makes no effort in stopping his wrongdoings. â€Å"All causes shall give way:/ I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, /should I wade no more, /Returning were as tedious as go o'er†/.Bringing out his underlying characteristics within his personality, allowing to readers to understand that his subsequent acts of murder are motivated by his fear and insecurity over loosing his kingship and of the discovery of his crimes. Macbeth demonstrates that he has a conscious and knows his thoughts are immoral and evil, â€Å"My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, / Shakes so my single state of man that function / Is smother’d in surmise; and nothing is / But what is not†. In spite of all of these , Macbeth makes no attempt to repent or reverse his situation and is therefore responsible for his own tragedy.In conclusion, Macbeth himself is responsible for his own downfall for several reasons. Though the witches’ predictions are responsible for initiating his downward spiral, Macbeth was the one who first thought about killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s ruthless ambition and manipulative nature influenced his thoughts, however it was Macbeth that allowed his wife to gain so much control over him, allowing her influence and putting power into her hands (though eventually cutting all ties with her and acting out of his own evilness).His ruthless ambition drives him to violence, his insecurities about his masculinity allows him to be manipulated and his lack of courage stops him from trying to reverse or resist his own tragedy. That is why, Macbeth must be solely responsible for his downfall. â€Å"Out, out, brief candle! / Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, / And then is heard no more. / It is a tale /Told by an idiot, / full of sound and fury,? Signifying nothing. /† – Act V, scene V

Befr Case

The main problem that Nundies has been facing is that the store repurchase rate by companies has not met Nundies expectations. About 6% of stores placed additional units beyond the initial purchase. Additionally, online purchases are not used frequently. Another problem is that store personnel that sell Nundies, have not been suggesting or talking about Nundies to customers. Furthermore, the displays for Nundies seem to merge in with the other merchandise in the store, which has a big impact on sales.If the stores are not properly displaying the merchandise and the sales associates do not promote Nundies this will lead to a decrease in sales and impact the company from reordering Nundies, which affects Nundies overall sales and profits. II. SITUATION ANALYSIS Nundies is a single-use, disposable panty that sticks to the inseam of women’s leggings, athletic wear, shorts, and jeans. This product helps women maintain a degree of protection when they decide not to wear underwear. T he introduction of the new product â€Å"Nundies† by Advanced Materials Inc. s a transition from a foam fabricator manufacturing business to a proprietary medical and consumer products. Nundies is a true departure from the ordinary product offered by Advanced Materials, Inc. AMI manufacturing estimated that the labor and material costs to produce a single liner would only be $. 60. Three colors/package options would be produced including, black, buff and assorted. The liners would be packaged in a colorful 5-count plastic pillow package, which would cost about $. 45 per unite to produce. The wholesale price to retail store would be $7. 0 for each 5-count package. Moreover, manufacturer’s agent would be paid 12 percent commission on the wholesale price for each 5-count package sold. This agent is responsible to establish the distribution coverage among women’s boutique store and specialty shops for Nundies. Based on Nundies’ marketing research, womenâ€⠄¢s boutique and specialty shops account for the largest percentage of women’s underwear sales (30. 9%), followed by department stores (30. 7%), mass merchandise and warehouse club stores (29. 1%), and other retail outlets such as internet retailers (9. %). According to a nationwide research conducted by Nundies among 1,042 women between the ages of 18-49 revealed that: ? 84% of women would be interested in a product that would eliminate panty lines ? 81% of women said â€Å"yes† to the questions would u be interested in a product that provides hygiene and comfort, but is not underwear ? 22% of women had tried no undies as a solution for no visible panty lines. ? When women were asked if they would be interested in a garment-safe disposable, but no panty lines; 36% said â€Å"yes,† 49% said â€Å"maybe†.

buy custom Mcdonalds and Obesity essay

buy custom Mcdonald's and Obesity essay Summary This paper is a study of health consequences in children who over-consumes McDonalds and other products of fast-food restaurants. The study evaluates how fast-food advertisement, supply, and sale in areas with proximity to children, such as schools and play fields, increase the rates of childhood obesity. For example, it has been established that whenever a fast-food restaurant is about 100 meters from a school compound, rate of increase in childhood obesity is about 5.2 percent (Philipson Richard, 2008). However, if the fast-food restaurant is beyond 500 meters from the school compound or children playing fields, its effects on the rate of obesity in children are insignificant. Moreover, the future site of a fast-food restaurant does not in any way affect the current rate of obesity in children. The effect is noticed whenever the restaurant is operational, and there is unregulated sale of its products to children who are unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. These findings lead to the implication that if legislations restricting the establishment of fast-food restaurants near schools and play grounds are enacted, they could aid in reducing the rate of childhood obesity (Philipson Richard, 2008). The reduction would be higher if parents and guardians are keen to monitor the eating habits of their children while at home to ensure they reduce consumption of snacks rich in calories. I have carefully examined materials on the subject to enable to enable me build an argument that is easily understood. This paper uses basic and clear statements in discussing causes, effects, remedies, and future works in this area of research. Introduction Cases of childhood obesity have been widespread in North America since 1970s. During this time, fast-food industries have increased to more than double while other traditional restaurants experience a much slower growth rate. Several contributors in conferences and seminars appreciate that the unrestrained availability of Macdonald and other fast food products has largely increased rates of obesity. Policy makers in various jurisdictions have in turn restricted the availability of these high-calorie foods or required companies to post the caloric capacity that they have (Rosenheck, 2008). However, much of the evidence that link obesity and fast food is based on correlation studies, which have been conducted using limited data sets. This paper attempts to establish the causal effect that increase in fast-food supply has on childhood obesity rates. It bases the argument on the data analyzed over several years regarding the obesity rate for children and adolescent in California. The met hod used in this paper allows for an accurate recognition of the effects of McDonalds on obesity. Method Several statistics in America shows that childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels. The number of overweight children has tripled to about 15 percent over a period of 30 years. There are various reasons that are thought to have caused this rise. Among these causes, two are prominent: bad eating habits and inadequate exercising. Overconsumption of fast foods like McDonalds, coupled with insufficient physical exercise has been singled out as the major contributor to childhood obesity. Latest statistics on childhood obesity have attracted a lot of attention. Researchers have indicated that between 15 and 35 percent of people below the age of 15 has obesity (Rosenheck, 2008). Childhood obesity in California has been recognized a signficant health risk. This is after the rate of its prevalent among the young has doubled since 1980. During the same period, triple the numbers of obesity cases are being reported as compared to 1980. According to a National Health and Nutrition Examinatio n Survey (NHANES) survey that was conducted in California from 1999 to 2002, 16 percent of those below the age 19 years were found to be overweight (Schlosser Eric, 2002). The 3 in 4 respondents during the study indicated that they considered McDonalds as a primary source of food while away from home. According to the data collected by United States Department of Agriculture and NHANES, McDonalds feeds over 45 million people in America, about half of whom are children. The data indicate that while Americans spent about $ 3billion on fast foods annually in 1972, the figure had by 2010 risen to $110. Studies in California have indicated that a child sees about 6,000 McDonalds television advertisements per year. The studies also indicted that while 40 percent of American food is taken away from home, McDonalds represents 45 percent of these. Due to the numerous numbers of restaurants and advertising items, 7 in 10 children can recognize McDonalds products (Schlosser Eric, 2002). Research conducted in schools by the NHANES indicated that obese children are bullied and teased. This make them develop low esteem, and in effect, they avoid normal activities l ike sports. Such a scenario aggravates their condition. Discussion Obesity is a condition where the body accumulates excess fat. Medical practitioners make use of guidelines that have been published based on body mass index (BMI) for age in measuring obesity in children. Alternatively, a child is considered to be obese if its weight is more that 20 percent higher than the average of children of that age. Obesity has been noted to have adverse medical effects on children lives as it increases the risk of other health problems while heightening social and emotional problems. Chances are that obesity will persist till adulthood, and this may lead to more serious ailments such as stroke and heart diseases. It has been established that many children become obese as a result of poor parenting and ineffective health choices. There are various factors that lead to the intake of foods high in calorie content. These factors are socioeconomic as well as psychological. Psychological factors contribute when a child is dealing with boredom or stress as it is during these times when they tend to eat a lot. When undirected, they choose starchy and sugary food which heightens the chances of becoming diabetic. Socioeconomic factors are those that result due to inadequate income in a family. The family may then have inadequate resources and time to make good choices with regard to exercising and eating. Sometimes, such families opt for fast foods such as McDonalds in order to save time for part time jobs. These are some of the factors that have lead to increase in popularity of fast foods in recent years. Fast foods appeal to many hurried persons due to their speed of meal preparation. They offer fas ter services and tastier meals as compared to the traditional restaurants (Rosenheck, 2008). Their meals are at times cheaper than those of other restaurants thereby attracting low-income customers. There are various methods that help a parent keep their children in healthy weight range. When a parent delays solid food feeding at infancy, obesity is easilyy checked. Children should be given healthy food that is low in fat. Moreover, a child television viewing habit should be minimized as more physical exercise proves healthier. When they get older, they should be taught how to select nutritious foods and develop healthy exercising habits. There should be more concerted efforts among all stakeholders to counter increased level of advertising by fast-food stores. Competition in the media industry has lead to more advertising for less money. Therefore, media influence plays a great role in increasing the rate of obesity. Most researchers agree that family lifestyle is the major determinant of a childs weight (Janet et al, 2009). They argue that involvement of everyone during meal preparation is important in avoiding high-calorie foods. For example, a family should avoid the storage of junk foods as they appeal to children. They should also avoid rewarding children with food, especially fast foods and sugary drinks. Summary There are continuing works of research meant to analyze how parents may help their children reduce weight and avoid obesity. Most of these studies focus on child nutrition as well as their growth detailing how parents influence childrens behavior with regard to exercises and eating habits. There are evidences on the way parents assist their kids to develop and preserve healthy eating habits and physical activities. This means that they play a vital role in preventing over consumption of high-calorie foods such as McDonalds which lead to obesity and overweight. According to these studies, it is important for parents to understand and appreciate their roles in guiding their children as they undergo critical development stages from infancy to young adulthood (Davis et al 2009, p. 3). Junk and sugary fast foods and drinks need to be discouraged so that a child easily manages the levels of fat in his/her body. Policy makers, practitioners, and researchers should step in and assist parents in raising their children in a healthy manner. They should develop and publish more effective ways of intervention and organize educational programs aimed at addressing childhood obesity at home. Policy makers in particular should enact legislation managing advertisement of fast foods like McDonalds such that the information disseminated is not erroneous or misleading. Fast foods should also be required to clearly display their calorie content in a manner that enables informed decision making by the buyer (Cutler et al 2003, p. 95). There need to be enhanced school based obesity prevention programs such as campaigns aimed at restricting the sale of fast food to unaccompanied kids of school going ages. There is heightened awareness of obesity as a national problem in America as a result of news media upgrading obesity related content in their publications. Federal and state authorities have passed legislations meant to help in the fight against childhood obesity such as restricting the targeted advertisement of unhealthy meals to children. These jurisdictions have also improved sporting facilities to encourage physical practice as children grow up (Abdollah, 2007). Schools have incorporated schedules for dairy sporting events in their programs as well as initiated sessions that guide students on healthy eating habits. The results have not been immediate, but more benefits can be realized if all parties involved work aggressively towards elevating obesity in children. Buy custom Mcdonald's and Obesity essay

A History of African Slave Traders

A History of African Slave Traders During the era of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Europeans did not have the power to invade African states or kidnap African slaves at will. For the most part, the 12.5 million slaves transported across the Atlantic Ocean were purchased from African slave traders. It is a piece of the triangle trade about which there are still many critical misperceptions. Motivations for Slavery One question that many Westerners have about African slavers, is why were they willing to sell their own people? Why would they sell Africans to Europeans? The simple answer to this question is that they did not see slaves as their own people. Blackness (as an identity or marker of difference) was a preoccupation of Europeans, not Africans. There was also in this era no sense of being African. (Indeed, to this day, individuals are more likely to identify as being African rather than, say, Kenyan only after leaving Africa.) Some slaves were prisoners of, and many of these may have been seen as enemies or rivals to those who sold them. Others were people who had fallen into debt. They were different by virtue of their status (what we might think of today as their class). Slavers also kidnapped people, but again, there was no reason they would inherently see slaves as their own. Slavery as a Part of Life It might be tempting to think that African slave traders did not know how bad European plantation slavery was, but there was a lot of movement across the Atlantic. Not all traders would have known about the horrors of the Middle Passage or what life awaited slaves, but others at least had an idea. There are always people willing to ruthlessly exploit others in the quest for money and power, but the story of the African slave trade goes much further than a few bad people. Slavery and the sale of slaves, though, were parts of life. The concept of not selling slaves to willing buyers would have seemed strange to many people up until the 1800s. The goal was not to protect slaves, but to ensure that oneself and ones kin were not reduced to slaves. A Self-Replicating Cycle As the slave trade intensified in the 16 and 1700s, it also became harder not to participate in the trade in some regions of West Africa. The enormous demand for African slaves led to the formation of a few states whose economy and politics were centered around slave raiding and trading. States and political factions that participated in the trade gained access to firearms and luxury goods, which could be used to secure political support. States and communities who were not actively participating in the slave trade were increasingly at a disadvantage. The Mossi Kingdom is an example of a state that resisted the slave trade until the 1800s when it began trading in slaves as well. Opposition to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade The Mossi Kingdom was not the only African state or community to resist selling slaves to Europeans. For instance, the king of the Kongo, Afonso I, who had converted to Catholicism, tried to stop the slave of slaves to Portuguese traders. He lacked the power, however, to police the whole of his territory, and traders as well as nobles engaged in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to gain wealth and power. Alfonso tried writing to the Portuguese king and asking him to stop Portuguese traders from engaging in the slave trade, but his plea was ignored. The Benin Empire offers a very different example. Benin sold slaves to Europeans when it was expanding and fighting many wars - which produced prisoners of war. Once the state stabilized, it stopped trading slaves, until it started to decline in the 1700s. During this period of increasing instability, the state resumed participation in the slave trade.