Compares eras of 1860s (reform) & 1900s (modernization). Areas examined are the origins of the unrest, the government's response, economics, politics, freeing of serfs and class conflict.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 63.95
From the Paper " Russia in the early twentieth century faced great turbulence as it continued its industrialization process and struggled with both revolution and war. As Freeze writes, industrialization in the opening years of this century brought a tremendous growth to the cities of the nation:
The accelerated pace of urbanization and industrialization in post-reform Russia had a profound impact upon urban society--its size, structure, power and group cohesion. . . . Despite legal, economic and public health barriers, large numbers poured each year into the city in search of food or fortune (Freeze 248).
Just as the reforms of the 1860s were instituted by Alexander II in response to fears that the nation would otherwise.."
From the Paper " The decade of the 1860s is considered the Era of Great Reforms in Russia, its beginning marked by the emancipation of the serfs. As Freeze writes, the era was as important to the eighteenth century as the reforms of Peter the Great in the seventeenth and the revolution of the early twentieth (Freeze 101). The sources generally agree that forces leading to reform include Western influences and the "public disgust with an often arbitrary, inefficient, and corrupt bureaucracy," but the shocking defeat of Russia in the Crimean War was the major cause, for it "persuaded Alexander II . . . that without basic internal change the Russian Empire could not hope to maintain its hard-won position as a major world power" (Cracraft 313).
The reforms which followed the liberation of the serfs in 1861 included.."
From the Paper "Introduction
With the breakup of the Soviet Union, there has been considerable interest in the future of the Russian Republic. Composed of the greater part of the Soviet Union, and headed by an embattled Boris Yeltsin, this republic has received the bulk of the world's attention and assistance as the former Soviet republics try to build new economies. Much has been made of the Russian republic's attempts at capitalism, which has been accompanied by a significant increase in the level of organized crime and by an increase not only of middle class citizens, but also of those who fall below the poverty line. This research examines the current state of economic development in Russia and considers the nation's future direction.
Gross Domestic Product and the New Independent States
The stress of moving.."
From the Paper "PREFERENCE FALSIFICATION IN THE USSR DURING THE STALINIST ERA
Introduction
This research examines the practice and implications of preference falsification in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during the era of the rule of Joseph Stalin. The research questions investigated are as follows:
1. Was the practice of preference falsification widespread in the USSR during the Stalinist era?
2. Did the practice of preference falsification in the USSR during the Stalinist era represent a rational choice on the part of those individuals who engaged in such behavior?
3. Was the widespread practice of preference falsification in the USSR during the Stalinist era responsible for the inefficiency of the economy of the country during that.."
Examines the meeting between Western powers and the Soviet Union to deal with Cold War issues. Discusses objectives, differences, leadership and outcome.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 11 sources, 1999, $ 119.95
From the Paper "THE GENEVA CONFERENCE OF 1955 MOTIVATIONS, OUTCOMES, & IMPLICATIONS
Introduction
This research examines the Geneva Conference of 1955. Addressed in this examinations are (1) the motivations for the meeting, (2) the participants in the conference, (3) the issues dealt with by the participants while at the conference, (4) the outcomes of the conference, (5) the future impact of the conference outcomes, and (6) a concluding assessment of the success of the conference. The Geneva Summit Conference was the direct outgrowth of the foreign ministers conference that had been held earlier. As the foreign ministers conference was so essential to the summit meeting, and as the foreign ministers conference itself produced a major successful outcome in the form ..."
Examines the economic, political, cultural, religious, ethnic and psycho-emotional roots of conflict among Serbs, Croations and Muslims. Discusses the history, leadership, issues and negotiations.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 8 sources, 1999, $ 71.95
Abstract Reports from the former Yugoslavia of civil war, the siege of cities such as Vukovar and Sarajevo, and such atrocities such as ethnic cleansing - another euphemism for genocide - and camps where women are kept with the sole purpose of being raped by their captors, have been recurrent items in the news media.
From the Paper "Reports from the former Yugoslavia of civil war, the siege of cities such as Vukovar and Sarajevo, and such atrocities such as ethnic cleansing - another euphemism for genocide - and camps where women are kept with the sole purpose of being raped by their captors, have been recurrent items in the news media. The media have offered little insight, however, into the intricacy of the conflict. The inherent complexity of the situation has been increased by the poorly defined conception of the three parties involved regarding their motives. The Serbs, the Croatians and the Muslims have each been portrayed as both the aggressors and the victims of the conflict.
The actions of these three parties have been commonly understood, if not accepted, as the manifestation of centuries-old ethnic tensions exacerbated by, and allowed undisciplined ..."
Abstract This paper will discuss the driving force of change in Europe from 200 to 800 AD. The main emphasis of this paper will be that change was the most significant force in Europe during this time period, rather than continuity.
From the Paper "Change in Europe: 200 to 800 AD
This paper will discuss the driving force of change in Europe from 200 to 800 AD. The main emphasis of this paper will be that change was the most significant force in Europe during this time period, rather than continuity.
In 200 AD, the Roman Empire had reached its zenith in terms of geographical area. In the south, Roman influence and control extended to the southern regions of what is now Algeria. In the east, the garrison town at Dura-Europos overlooked the Euphrates River. And in the north, the Roman army had established an outpost in Scotland. These outlying points marked the vague boundaries of the Empire, and the furthest reaches of Roman culture. Roman culture and society defined the world within these boundaries (Brown 11-12)."
Abstract The possible default of Russia on her debt has precipitated a crisis around the world, and coming at the same time as the Asian crisis, this may be a devastating second-tier of financial woe with effects far from Moscow.
From the Paper "INTRODUCTION
The possible default of Russia on her debt has precipitated a crisis around the world, and coming at the same time as the Asian crisis, this may be a devastating second-tier of financial woe with effects far from Moscow. The Russian crisis has already affected investment in certain hedge funds and has frightened a number of analysts who realize what more could happen if the crisis is not resolved. Many Americans see Russia as far away and not related to American interests since the downfall of the Soviet threat, but this is not the case. The Russian crisis has already had an effect on the American economy and may have an even greater one. This may or may not be an argument for bailing Russia out, but it is certainly cause for some concern."
Abstract "Critics of the transformation of Russia point to a number of current problems they attribute to capitalism, such as rampant organized crime, official corruption, inability to pay members of the armed forces, a high unemployment rate, and high prices for certain goods.
From the Paper "Critics of the transformation of Russia point to a number of current problems they attribute to capitalism, such as rampant organized crime, official corruption, inability to pay members of the armed forces, a high unemployment rate, and high prices for certain goods. Many of these problems might have developed in any case. At the same time, in spite of these problems, it would seem that the move to a capitalist economy is not likely to change unless the masses become even more disenchanted with the system than they are now. The communists tried to appeal to voter discontent in the recent election and failed. The people may decry aspects of the new market economy, but they are still dedicated both to reform and to stability. Continuing down the road to reform is seen as a way of maintaining stability, and any change in direction is seen as dangerous. Capitalism in some form ..."
Abstract The causes of the devaluation of the ruble as a world currency are myriad, many of them deriving from incidents that happened on or around October 11, 1994, known in International Monetary Fund circles as "Black Tuesday." On that day, the ruble lost almost 25% of its value, closing at 3.926 to the dollar, its lowest value ever.
From the Paper "INTERNATIONAL BANKING AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES IN RUSSIA
The causes of the devaluation of the ruble as a world currency are myriad, many of them deriving from incidents that happened on or around October 11, 1994, known in International Monetary Fund circles as "Black Tuesday." On that day, the ruble lost almost 25% of its value, closing at 3.926 to the dollar, its lowest value ever. Only two days later, it recovered, climbing 20% to 2.994 to the dollar. However, the political backlash lingered long after the one-day ruble shock. The causes behind the crisis are also of far more concern than the event itself (Rose, 1998, 11).
One of the central causes of the crisis was politicking in the bureaucracy. The tight (for Russia) fiscal and monetary policies which had successfully brought inflation down to ..."
Examines its historical, cultural and political origins, potential for Balkan destabilization and a wider war, the parties involved, nationalism, leaders, issues, the break-up of Yugoslavia and settlement.
8,550 words (approx. 34.2 pages), 34 sources, 1999, $ 135.95
From the Paper "KOSOVO CRISIS OF 1998-1999 AND ITS RAMIFICATIONS
This research paper traces the origins and course of the current dispute in Kosovo and discusses its potential for destabilizing further the Balkans, including the possibility of a wider war in the region, and ways in which tensions there might be heightened or reduced.
The roots of the conflict in Kosovo lie deeply embedded in the histories of the Albanian and Serbian peoples, especially during the occupation of the region by the Ottoman Empire, and tensions and conflicts between them, primarily of an ethno-religious nature, which intensified at periodic intervals during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Those tensions and conflicts have been greatly accentuated by the rise of Serbian ultranationalism after the collapse of communist Yugoslavia and ..."
Abstract A historical overview including language, Sephardim and Ashkenazi Jews, settlement and treatment. Jews reportedly existed in the Central European region known as Romania in larger numbers as early as the first and second centuries.
From the Paper "The historical origins of Jews in Romania cannot be pinpointed with any degree of accuracy. At present, Jews make up only a small fraction of Romania's minority population. However, Jews reportedly existed in the Central European region known as Romania in larger numbers as early as the first and second centuries.
Romania is situated in the southeast of Europe, resting on the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Beyond the Carpathia mountain range, which covers about one-third of the country, are extensive plains sustained by the Danube river and its tributaries. It was not until the mid-nineteenth century, almost two thousand years after its history began, that Romania became an almost unified and independent country. The intervening period was characterized by long periods of rule by various ..."
Discusses the political transformation of this republic once part of Yugoslavia. Examines its population, independence, organization, parties, leadership, elections and democracy.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 63.95
Abstract This research paper discusses the political transformation in Slovenia since the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Slovenia rapidly achieved independence and established a multiparty democracy
From the Paper "POLITICAL CHANGES IN SLOVENIA SINCE 1989
Introduction
This research paper discusses the political transformation in Slovenia since the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Slovenia rapidly achieved independence and established a multiparty democracy. It was able to do so largely because of its economic strength and resources, its relative ethnic homogeneity and its distance from the major wars that have devastated the former Yugoslavia. Free and fair elections have been held. Its politics since the Cold War have been dominated by a left-of-center coalition of social democratic parties, but, recently, its coalition government has included center-right and rightist parties, following the resurgence of rightist sentiment in the mid-1990s. Although Slovenia has had ..."
Abstract "Joseph Stalin was not a theorist. But he was a consummate politician and in the 1920s Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party.
From the Paper "Joseph Stalin was not a theorist. But he was a consummate politician and in the 1920s Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party. Stalin was, therefore, always able to elucidate an appropriate theoretical pedigree for whatever he believed was the best course for the new nation or, not incidentally, for his own political ends. Stalin's first Five Year Plan -- adopted, modified, and approved between September 1928 and April 1929 -- was just such a course of action. Having achieved power Stalin's choice of the Five Year Plan was a radical departure from his previously stated intentions. But, like his other politically adroit changes of direction on economic policy, the Plan received in its turn the sanction of Marxist-Leninist thinking as interpreted or applied..."
Abstract This research paper traces the evolution of American involvement in and international strategy toward Bosnia during the period beginning with the outbreak of war among indigenous forces there in early 1992 and continuing to the present time
From the Paper "U.S. Involvement in Bosnia During the 1990s
This research paper traces the evolution of American involvement in and international strategy toward Bosnia during the period beginning with the outbreak of war among indigenous forces there in early 1992 and continuing to the present time.
Outline
1. 1991-1992. The United States failed to develop an effective international strategy for coping with the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the war in Bosnia in large part because after the Cold War, its senior policy makers during the Bush administration did not view the United States as having any vital national interests involved in that conflict and, was therefore, determined to leave the diplomatic initiative for its..."