<p>Hi there! I am doing my SAT tomorrow, and I was just wondering if someone could mark my practice essay so I know an average of what I should get tomorrow, thanks so much :) </p>
<p>P.S. If you would like to edit it really quick, or give me some tips on how it could be better that would be super appreciated!!</p>
<p>Topic: Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?</p>
<p>Knowledge is not a burden. What people do with their knowledge, or lack of knowledge, is truly the problem. Historically, in the United States and Europe, a little prescience would have gone a long way. Two examples from the past clearly illustrate this point.</p>
<p>First, in America, the Great Depression had completely crippled the economy, and if one returns to the causes of the Depression, and the president at the time had used his foresight, perhaps the disaster could have been averted. In the 1920's, after America emerged from World War 1 victorious, and with their economy, country, and pride intact, there was an inflationary period that lasted years. Consumerism was high, taxes were low, and people were happy. The American government, who were classical liberals, were looking for ways to increase their value. Naturally, they turned to the stock market and began investing, prompting the American citizens to do the same. Quickly, the prices of stocks rose, and the economy was better than ever. Stories of shoe shine boys getting thousands of dollars swept the nation. Unfortunately, on Black Thursday, 1929, the stock bubble America was in, popped. 20% of the American wealth vanished over a very short period of time. Suicide rates increased, as did unemployment, poverty, illness, and death. Even banks had to close because they lost their investments in the stock market. If President Hoover, at the time, had looked ahead, or had the knowledge that such a crash was to come, the American nation would have been all the better for it.</p>
<p>Another example leading out of World War 1, is in fact World War 2. Because Germany lost so terribly in the first World War, the Allies (France, Britain, and the United States) convened a meeting to discuss the reparations Germany would have. In this one discussion, the Europeans decided to destroy Germanys' economy through massive payments, hurt their business by making trade tariffs, and deplete their military. It crippled Germany. Unfortunately, had the leaders at the time seen that the rise of Hitler and Nazism was to come out of this, they never would have gone to that extent. The German currency level was pitiful, and poverty riddled the entire country. Out of that poverty rose collectivist ideals, communism, and culminated in the Nazi Party.</p>
<p>These two well known examples illustrate clearly the effect a little knowledge could have. It can only be considered a burden if one doesn't know what to do with it. The Great Depression and the terror of World War 2 demonstrate two horrible situations that could have been avoided if those in charge simply knew.</p>
<p>Once again, thank you so much :)</p>