Research Paper on:
Gunpowder's Invention and Historical Impact

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
overall advantage or disadvantage to our society today. While gunpowder was no doubt invaluable to the building, manufacturing and industrialization of the modern world, the use for gunpowder in weaponry  is another consideration. Guns themselves remain highly controversial as they were said to have been responsible for the eventual independence of nations and the protection of other nations even to  this day. However, since guns were first introduced on a national scale, right after the Civil War, the crime rate and murder rate has greatly increased and continues to do  so. The National Rifle Association is a powerful opponent to any gun legislation taking place as for them it seems a direct contradiction to the Second Amendment, the right to  bear arms. Others believe that the Second Amendment was not to be considered an open market for gun ownership, but as a protective right to form a militia is case  of an overtly overpowering government. Regardless of which side of gun control is supported, more and more children and innocent victims of gun crimes are increasing today making the United  States a leader in handgun deaths. The History of Gunpowder According to Thomas Carlyle, over the last millennium, the invention of gunpowder  and explosives has ranked among the top three most important elements of modern civilization along with printing and the Protestant religion (Brown 7). Commonly known as black powder because of  its resemblance to soot, it is actually composed of potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal. First introduced in China in about the 9th century AD, it was mainly used as explosives  to fend off evil spirits. Roger Bacon exported it to Western Europe around 1250 and for the 600 years following that time, it was considered the major explosive for a