"I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it...” (Inspirational Quote of the Day), Clara said one day while working in the battlefields. In 1881, Clara Barton expanded the Red Cross and was the founder of the American Red Cross organization. This newly founded organization offered aid for not only victims of war and soldiers, but also for devastation and natural disasters. Barton showed tremendous leadership bringing attention to the foundation and the new opportunities it offered. After her new idea was approved, Clara and her organization proceeded to venture all around America to serve those in need. Today the American Red Cross has aided many people in the United States and around the world, as seen recently after the devastation from the earthquake and flooding in Haiti in 2010. Clara Barton and the American Red Cross have changed and positively impacted many peoples lives throughout the world. Clara Barton wouldn’t have been compelled to start the American Red Cross if several key events had not demonstrated to her that major change was needed in America. In 1619, the first slave ships were docked in Jamestown Virginia. Although it was a very devastating and inhuman concept, to some, the idea was brilliant and crucial. Jamestown was one of the first places that needed slaves because of the large demand for tobacco. Maintaining and producing the tobacco crop was the main reason that the slaves were needed. "I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the things I wanted." (Frederick Douglass quote) Slavery limited and took away the privileges and freedoms that the slaves used to have.  In 1810 the Underground Railroad was created. The railroad was created to sneak slaves from the south to the north and away from the injustice of slavery. “I freed a thousand slaves, I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” (Harriet Tubman Quote), stated Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman, who was a humanitarian was one of the workers for the Underground Railroad who helped free hundreds of slaves. In 1820 the Abolitionist Movement started. The abolitionists fought for freedom, equality, human rights and anti-slavery. Harriet Tubman was also apart of this movement. “Tubman journeyed perilously back into the South at least a dozen times, and was able to bring her parents and brother to freedom. Tubman was also a prominent anti slavery lecturer…” (Shmoop Editorial Team). Harriet was one of the many abolitionist members who spoke about and fought against slavery. She played a critical role in changing many people’s opinions and ultimately helping to bring an end to slavery. Just before Clara Barton created the American Red cross, a handful of significant events influenced her decision that an organization like the American Red Cross was just what the country needed. 1861 was a significant year in American history. March 4, 1861 was the day Abraham Lincoln was elected as the nation’s new president. He was America’s 16th president and a very strong and faithful leader. "He got the country through the slavery, and freedom for everyone is very important. Slave owners thought they had the liberty of owning slaves, but slaves thought liberty meant freedom, and I think he gave everyone the liberty they deserve." (Lincoln’s words at Gettysburg resonate 150 years later), stated 12 year old Carrie Otal. Lincoln’s goal was to eventually free all slaves and give them the equality that every man deserves. In 1861, the Baltimore Riot broke out. The riot started when soldiers from the north were traveling through Baltimore to prepare for the Civil War. The soldiers had to march through a section of the city because the train tracks were not continuous through the entire city. An angry mob gathered and once the mob turned violent toward the soldiers throwing bricks and stones, the soldiers fired their guns into the crowd. This riot was the first bloodshed of the Civil War. “When the 6th Massachusetts arrived in Baltimore they were met by an unruly mob. At first, the pro-secessionists hurled only insults but the situation quickly escalated when the mob began throwing rocks and stones at the troops.” (The Baltimore Riot of 1861) With the deaths from the Baltimore Riot, the war was here. One week prior to the Baltimore Riot, when Fort Sumter fell with no bloodshed on April 13th, the American Civil War started. There were numerous causes for the Civil War. In addition to the issue of slavery, there were taxation, political, and economic challenges as well. Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of unity. He spoke about, “the brave men, living and dead who have struggled.” (Lincoln’s words at Gettysburg still resonate 150 years later). Lincoln did not like war and the deaths of innocent people yet he knew what was necessary for America to be able to move forward in unity. He never ceased to appreciate those who fought and sacrificed during the war. Leading by example as well as teaching others to lead made Clara Barton a unique and powerful individual which allowed her to accomplish great things in her lifetime. In 1870, before the American Red Cross was founded, Clara Barton helped organize relief for France to aid those in need from the Franco Prussian war. While Clara was there, she was impressed with the success of their relief efforts. Even after the war had ended, Clara stayed in France and watched the rebuilding of the towns. Clara helped the French understand that they needed to help themselves and not solely rely on others assistance for recovery. She spoke about, “The importance of people helping themselves and not relying on strictly handouts” (Clara Barton, Contemporary Heroes and Heroines). While Clara was all about helping others, she realized that her actions and words were more valuable to motivate others to help themselves.  Many people appreciated her message and leadership and began to follow her advice. This approach became a fundamental concept for the American Red Cross. Clara Barton’s words and leadership inspired people to help themselves when facing disaster and made them believe that they were capable of putting their lives back together without depending on others to do it for them. When the American Red Cross was founded, Clara decided to take the role of not only founder of the organization but also was elected to serve as the organization’s president. Clara never ceased to be involved and ready to engage herself in whatever the world brought to her attention. Her leadership of hundreds of people to work to the best of their abilities and to never back down from a challenge no matter how formidable, was part of what made her such a special person. Although Clara Barton’s life was filled with supportive people, she also had her struggles with those who opposed her ideas and made false accusations about several of her actions. Earlier on in Clara’s career she faced opposition from those who did not believe that women were to work in, or with the government. Clara had to face her critics and take a stand. “Secretary of the Interior Robert McClelland, who was opposed to women working in government offices, reduced her position from clerk to copyist with a lower salary.  In 1857, the Buchanan Administration eliminated her position at the Patent Office” (National Women's History Museum). She showed leadership by not backing down and her determination to gain equal gender rights for women. Despite the removal of Clara from the office, she never gave up and led other women to take a stand as well. Later, she was put back into her position when president Abraham Lincoln was elected. After the American Red Cross was formally founded, Clara faced accusations that the spending of the funds by the foundation was questionable.  Many thought she was spending it on unnecessary things that were not relative to the foundation. These accusations had a very negative impact on Clara. “Devastated by accusations that she was a poor administrator and had misappropriated funds, she at one point considered leaving the United States and moving to Europe” (Clara Barton, Contemporary Heroes and Heroines). The thought of leaving seemed like the easiest option the time, but Clara showed leadership by staying and fighting for the truth. Clara showed true leadership in even the most difficult situations. The American Red Cross has done many amazing and impactful things that have changed our world and provided hope for people suffering through disasters. The first mission that the American Red Cross provided aid to was in 1881. Massive forest fires broke out in Michigan and consumed much of the state. “The fire claimed almost 300 lives and left thousands homeless. Red Cross chapters collected food and supplies which were shipped to Michigan to assist the 14,000 people in need of help” (Red Cross Disaster Services Began in 1881). Without the significant efforts of the American Red Cross relief program, many victims of this disaster would have struggled with the loss of resources and collapsed homes. The next massive natural disaster for which Clara and her colleagues provided aid and assistance for was when Johnstown, Pennsylvania flooded in 1889. This flood decimated the whole town and killed thousands of people. A few short days after the tragedy, the American Red Cross relief arrived and spent months aiding those in need. Supplies and medical assistance were some of the most valuable assistance that Clara and the American Red Cross offered to those in need. Clara's final major work with the American Red Cross was when a hurricane pounded Galveston, Texas. The hurricane was "the deadliest disaster in U.S. history, and the last disaster Clara Barton responds to before her retirement” (About us). This was a large disaster for Clara to assist and to end on before her withdrawal from the organization. Despite the fact that Clara was no longer working with the American Red Cross, the organization continued to travel around the world to assist those in need. More recently, the Indonesian earthquake triggering several tsunamis in 2004, was yet another of the next major disasters the American Red Cross provided assistance for. This earthquake triggered tsunamis in 12 other countries and recorded a magnitude of 9.0. The American Red Cross partnered with the International Relief Efforts organization on their journey to help everyone there. This collaboration was a very crucial helping point as there were many people in need at the time. "I start to see houses, shops getting crushed, they were flattened to the ground and there were many people outside their houses, they were screaming, they were making groups in the street" (Eyewitness: Indonesia Earthquake). The devastation of this disaster was colossal. The most recent disaster that the American Red Cross has assisted was in 2010 in Haiti. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook the town of Léogâne on January 12. The American Red Cross quickly took action and rushed to offer everything that they could to the millions impacted by this deadly disaster. A fundraiser was set up in order to raise money for Haiti and those who have suffered from this catastrophic event. The american Red cross never wavered in their commitment to provide money, friendship, supplies and their time to the world. Bartons leadership and ingenuity in the creation of the American Red Cross provided vital resources and support for those in need during devastation, and will continue to assist and inspire those around the world. Disasters and devastation occur regularly and are constantly affecting our world. As our world faces these challenges the American Red Cross will consistently aid those in need without prestigious. Bartons ingenuity in creating the American Red Cross will forever be remembered and appreciated. Without this organization many of those suffering from catastrophes would have faced even greater pain without the American Red Cross.