Alcatraz Prison Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Alcatraz Prison - Research Paper ExampleIn the current context, National Park gain operates Alcatraz as a historic site, lying within the domain of Golden Gate National deflection Area (Wellman, 2008). Hence, Alcatraz is open to all tourists interested in visiting an exploring this historic landmark. Tourists can board a ferry from San Francisco to reach Alcatraz. It is non without a reason that Alcatraz prison has often featured in a range of cultural expressions like Hollywood movies, literature, TV programs, games and comics (Oliver, 1998). In a broader perspective, Alcatraz prison commands significant historical and cultural significance. Thus, it will be quiet interesting to delve on varied aspects of Alcatraz prison. The Name It was in the year 1775 that the Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala passed the Golden Gate bay area in the ship San Carlos (Wellman, 2008). On coming across the island under consideration, Juan named it Isla de Las Alcatraces or The Island of the Peli cans (Wellman, 2008). Ironically, going by the history of Alcatraz, pelicans are the last intimacy one conjures up while thinking about this prison. Juan named it so after being inspired by the large Pelican population residing in the area (Wellman, 2008). With the passage of time, the original name of this island got Americanized to be Alcatraz. As massive as the Spanish held sway in this area, they did not use this island for any civil or army purposes, because of it being barren and inhospitable (Wellman, 2008). Military Base It was sometime in 1827 that the US phalanx identify Alcatraz as a potential military base, considering its strategic location on the West Coast (Stuller, 1999). later on a series of geographical and topographic surveys, the US military started constructing a fortress and a radio beacon at Alcatraz in 1853 (Stuller, 1999). In 1840, with the onset of Gold Rush, people from all around the world started move the West Coast to try their luck at finding go ld. Thus, it became evident to the United States government that it call for to seriously protect its land and mineral wealth from the coveting foreign powers and populations. It was with much hard work and cranch that Alcatraz, garrisoned with impressive artillery and firepower, began to be recognized as an icon of the American military power (Stuller, 1999). Though, Alcatraz neer saw real action throughout its existence as a military base, its stature as an intimidating army base continued to stay for many years (Stuller, 1999). With the coming into vogue of the unexampled weaponry, the military significance of Alcatraz gradually dwindled over time. Military Prison Later on the American military came to the conclusion that the island could serve as an excellent military prison, courtesy its disheartening isolation, and the unfriendly freezing waters surrounding the island, home to some of the most insurmountable water currents. In 1861, the army incarcerated several urbane W ar prisoners at Alcatraz (Wellman, 2008). The prisoner population at Alcatraz except augmented during the 1898 Spanish-American war (Wellman, 2008). The 1906 San Francisco earthquake further added to the Alcatraz prison population, as a large number of Civil War prisoners were transferred there for safe undertaking (Wellman, 2008). The framework and structure of the Alcatraz prison was further expanded by the US military in 1912 (Wellman, 2008). This was not without a reason. By 1920, this prison was already running to its full capacity (Wellman, 2008). Again,