American Red cross By natalie Serrano

Mrs. Thinnes English 11

28 February 2011

What is the American red

Cross?

The American Red Cross is an international organization that takes responsibility

in taking care of people who ill, wounded, homeless during war time and helps out people

out when natural disaster occurs. It was originally established for solders who were victims in battle

but is now opened to prevent suffering of the public. The American Red Cross has been

providing their services to people since World War War I and expanded more since the end of Wold

War II.

Who founded the American Red Cross?

The American Red Cross was founded on May 21, 1881 in Washington, D.C by Clara Barton and a couple of people who wanted to help other people in need. Clara first fell upon the idea of the Red Cross while visiting Europe and hearing about the Swiss-inspired International Red Cross Movement during the Civil War. As soon as arriving home, Clara began to campaign for one of the American Red Cross society and to try to protect victims injured by war.

For over twenty-three years, Clara was head of the Red Cross organization where she not only helping ill US military during the Spanish-American War, but as well campaigned peace relief work, and organized the first overseas disaster relief efforts.

Red Cross contribution toward WW1

The Red Cross introduced many new medical configurations; such as the concept of water safety, public nursing programs and first aid.

The public helped make the organization a rapid growth of funds, up to $400 million in support of Red Cross programs and materials.

During the war, around 20,000 registered nurses were recruited to work in hospitals and ambulance companies.

The Red Cross made a major contribution in helping people during the worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918.

After WWI

After World War I, Red Cross was busy as ever concentrating mostly on the veterans of the war and as well as starting to improve on programs that contained safety training, home care for the ill, prevention of accidents, and nutritional classes.

The American Red Cross gave relief to the victims during the Mississippi River floods in 1921 during the Depression during the 1930s.

Bibliography

"A Brief History of the American Red Cross." Web. 27 Feb. 2011.

"Clara Barton." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. .

Photograph. Pulse. 2010. Web. 27 Feb.2011

Photograph."A Brief History of the American Red Cross." 27 Feb. 2011.

"Our National Treasure: The American Red Cross." South Carolina State Museum. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.museum.state.sc.us/exhibits/red_cross.aspx>.

"Red Cross - WWI." Advertising Educational Foundation - Educational Advertising Resources - AEF. 28 Feb. 2011 <http://www.aef.com/on_campus/classroom/case_histories/3002>