US_Ch4_webquest

=**Role of the Government in Natural Disasters**=
 * Johnstown Fights a Flood and Demonstrates the Power of Private Compassion**

Read through the web quest and answer the questions listed.


 * 1. Before you start, what do you think the government does right?**

Most people answer nothing, but in truth the military has protected the nation and our citizens, the Coast Guard has been superb in terms of search and rescue, and at least until more recently the courts have encouraged free enterprise. On the other hand, the postal service and the Federal Reserve (responsible for printing money that led to inflation) haven't had the best records. A more important question could be that of what the Constitution allows the federal government to do.


 * 2. What do you believe the role of the government is or should be in a natural disaster (tornado, hurricane, flood, earthquake, etc.)?**

In terms of the Constitution, the federal government can act to maintain order when conditions at the state or local level endanger the nation as a whole. The federal government is not allowed by the Constitution to engage in charity or disaster relief and as seen in Hurricane Katrina in 2005 or the B.P. oil spill in 2010 government doesn't make the situation better. The Founders knew that government lacked the proper incentives to do many things that private individuals and small communities would in terms of putting resources to better use. No one asked the government for disaster relief until 1911 after an earthquake in Missouri (estimated at an 8.7). Since there was no organized government relief agency, church groups came to provide assistance.


 * 3. Do you favor church groups or private citizens responding to natural disasters rather than the government? Why or why not?**

There are many examples in the late 1800s and early 1900s in which communities and individuals provided relief, organized short-term security, and undertook long-term planning to prevent future problems. The Johnstown 1889 flood is a perfect example. Click here to continue continue onto the Johnstown 1889 Flood.