From the Paper " The Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome are two of the greatest surviving monuments of ancient civilizations. Though they came from very different cultures, the two buildings have a great deal in common. Both monuments were symbols of the political goals of the rulers who built them. Each building is also considered the ultimate achievement of a period in architectural history. But, the two monuments also demonstrate differences between Greek and Roman ideas about architecture and the state.
The two monuments have similar recent histories. Both are so well preserved because they were adapted by later cultures. The Parthenon was the only temple ever to be used by four different religions (ancient Greek, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Islam). The survival of the Pantheon was due to its use by the.."
From the Paper "The motivations of Christopher Columbus and other figures in The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, edited by J.M. Cohen, are varied and contradictory. Certainly, those motivations were not purely the result of high religious principles, for the lure of gold, land, slaves, power and prestige also played a major role in driving these men to seek, reach and exploit the New World. The reader must keep in mind that the book is written by men who were likely presenting what they saw as a positive portrait of their activities and intentions. Nevertheless, the full range of their motives comes through. One passage from the account of Columbus's son demonstrates the jumble of motives at work in the hearts and minds of these Europeans in their relations with the natives:
On receiving such kindnesses and such samples of gold from..."
Tags: HISTORY: EUROPEAN, BOOK REVIEWS (NON-FICTION) (ALPHABETIZED)
A critical review of the 1976 work on the origins of slavery in the U.S., the role of capitalism, freedom and authority, as well as the Samboization of blacks.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, 1999, $ 47.95
Abstract Stanley M. Elkins, in Slavery: A Problem in American Institutional and Intellectual Life, examines the origins of slavery in the United States, related to freedom and authority, and the creation of what he refers to as the "Sambo" as a type of slave personality.
From the Paper "Stanley M. Elkins, in Slavery: A Problem in American Institutional and Intellectual Life, examines the origins of slavery in the United States, related to freedom and authority, and the creation of what he refers to as the "Sambo" as a type of slave personality. The question of the role of "freedom" in the establishment of the brutal system of American slavery must be qualified. The freedom referred has nothing to do with democratic freedom, and everything to do with the unbridled freedom of capitalism to flourish without regard to the rights or even the humanity of the slaves. The rich, white slaveholders were certainly exercised their own democratic freedom, but the fact that slavery accompanied such freedom must call into question any claim that the United States was indeed democratic while slavery endured. Of course, the freedom of the slaves themselves is also ..."
Abstract The paper begins with a background to the letter and a synopsis of its main points. It looks at the three different audiences that the letter intends to address, explores the tone of authority used by King and discusses the moral and political statements he uses in his defense. The effectiveness of King's appeal to the emotions of his fellow black American countrymen is also dealt with. The paper concludes by investigating the elements of "ethos" (appeals based on validity and character) and the elements of "pathos" (appeals to emotions) contained in the letter.
From the Paper "Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham Jail, which was written in April 16, 1963, is a passionate letter that addresses and responds to the issue and criticism that a group of white clergymen had thrown at him and his pro- black American organization about his and his organization's non- violent demonstrative actions against racial prejudice and injustice among black Americans in Birmingham. King writes the letter to defend his organization's actions and the letter is also an appeal to the people, both the white and black American society, the social, political, and religious community, and the whole of American society to encourage desegregation and encourage solidarity and equality among all Americans, with no stratifications according to racial differences.
King's letter from Birmingham Jail addresses the American society, particularly the political and religious community of the American society. Specifically, King's letter addresses three important groups in the American society: the white American political community, white American religious community, and the black American society. King addressed these communities as the primary groups wherein racial segregation is continuously proliferated (the white American political and religious community) and points much of his arguments to and for his fellow black Americans in the society. King's main thesis in writing the Birmingham letter is that, racial segregation, or injustice to the black American society, is due to the continuous encouragement of the white American society, particularly the powerful communities in politics and religions. King defends his primary thesis all throughout the length of his letter, and the arguments that he has made to prove that his thesis is true and valid will be the focus of this rhetorical analysis.
In addressing and confronting the problem of injustices among the black Americans in the American society, particularly the violence that had happened in Birmingham, and generally, the inequality and racial prejudice happening in his American society, King argues his position by using both moral, social, and political references and logic for his arguments to be considered valid and agreeable. The response desired in his letter is agreement and appeal for the part of the white American society to abolish segregation and discontinue the injustices happening to his fellow black Americans, while King appeals to his black American fellowmen for unity and solidarity, which is an essential factor for their cause to be achieved (that is, the prevention and eventual abolishment of racial prejudice, inequality, and injustice."
Analyzes Civil War battle (July 1-3, 1863) in which Confederacy launched its last offensive of the war. Discusses strategies, leadership, battlefield conditions and outcome.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 11 sources, 1989, $ 55.95
From the Paper "This paper will discuss the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place during the American Civil War. The battle, which lasted from July I through July 3, 1863, represented the Confederate army's last offensive attempt in the war. The motives of General Robert E. Lee for moving his Confederate troops north into Pennsylvania during that time can be seen as an outgrowth of the confidence that the South had gained from a series of strategic victories. Lee wanted to make an offensive attack in the Gettysburg area in order to threaten the safety of the industrial cities of the North and thereby weaken the Union's defensive stance (Gruver, 1981, p. 403).
It is important to note that many other Confederate leaders opposed Lee's strategic approach in Pennsylvania. William Swinton, a correspondent for the New York Times during that era, (...)"
Abstract This paper begins with some general comments on the attributes possessed by Spartan warriors that can be deduced from Pressfield's book. It goes on to outline the plot of the work, concentrating on the features and influence of Spartan culture. It discusses the Spartan trait of dedication, the experiences of Spartan youths in training and the Spartan mentor/student relationship. The paper concludes with a synopsis of the impression of Spartan warriors given by Pressfield's work.
From the Paper "What constitutes a Spartan? Indeed, what characteristics are exemplary of a Spartan? According to Steven Pressfied in his work, "Gates of Fire", Spartans are synonymous with the term warrior. So much so in fact, that one is likely to find the word Spartan in the thesaurus when researching the term "warrior". In his book, Pressfield provides the reader with very detailed and accurate descriptions of the ideal Spartan, as portrayed through the eyes of a freedman, a former slave recruited into the service of Spartan warriors, an individual in awe of the intensity and fearlessness of the warriors he has encountered. One can most definitely conclude upon reading this work that Spartans were raised in a society or culture that praised fearlessness, cunning, strength and courage."
Abstract Works of art of the Egyptians and Greeks in the Hellenic era. Shared characteristics of the two ancient societies. Describes Egyptian statue of "Ranofer," a limestone sculpture of a standing male. Compares it to the Greek "Kouros," a life-sized marble figure of a male youth. Human orientation of Greek art.
From the Paper "Comparison of Two Sculptures
The ancient Egyptians and the Greeks of the Hellenic era shared several important characteristics. Among them were a complex system of gods, each requiring his or her own ritual worship, and a love of the monumental in terms of architecture and selected art forms. As Laurie S. Adams (p. 73) has commented, both groups followed certain canons and conventions in sculpture, leading to creations that were life-sized or larger, monumental and powerful, and firmly rooted within the guiding sociocultural ethos in which they were produced. This report will compare two works of art. The first is an Egyptian statute of Ranofer, a limestone sculpture of a standing male produced in about 2750-2625, B.C. (Gardner, p. 54). The second sculpture to be discussed is known as Kouros, a life-sized figure of a male ..."
Abstract Examines the religious ideas of the two leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Social changes of the 16th Century. Luther's challenge to the Church. His concepts of Revelation, faith and the relationship between humanity and God. Calvin's amplification of Luther's ideas. Doctrinal differences between Lutheranism and Calvinism. Calvin's belief in predestination.
From the Paper "Martin Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin (1509-1564) were two of the principal leaders of the Protestant Reformation that transformed Western Europe in the sixteenth century. In the German states of the early sixteenth century there was "a combination of circumstances favourable to rebellion," the agricultural peasantry was oppressed and impoverished and the rest of the society strained against the domination of the Church and the excesses of ecclesiastical-temporal rulers of many bishoprics and monasteries (Sykes 28). Yet the form of the vast social change that eventually occurred was very different from outright armed rebellion against the civil or even the ecclesiastical authorities. There were minor peasants' revolts, it is true, but in general social change began in the arena of spiritual matters and this is due almost entirely to Luther's ..."
Abstract This paper examines the history of the Salem Witch Trials and how in the months of June to September 1692, nineteen men and women were hung near Salem Village, Massachusetts, for the crime of witchcraft. It looks at how the rumours and accusations started and Salem's easy acceptance of the idea of witchcraft which turned into hysteria. It evaluates some of the different stories of convictions and the testimonies and the aftermath of the trials. The paper includes a timeline of events in the New English colonies.
From the Paper "Salem's hysteria over witchcraft sparked with the strange illness of Betty Parris, the daughter of the Salem minister. She exhibited a strange variety of symptoms, including contorting in pain, ducking under furniture, and complaints of fever. Talk of witchcraft increased as several of Betty's playmates, including Ann Putnam and Mary Walcott began to show similar symptoms.
Salem's easy acceptance of the idea of witchcraft came partially from the ideas espoused in Cotton Mather's book, Memorable Providences. This book, popular just before the trial, described the suspected witchcraft of an Irish servant in Boston. The behavior of the woman in the book was eerily similar to that of young Betty Parris, who ultimately claimed that her afflictions were the result of witchcraft."
Abstract This paper discusses whether F. Scott Fitzgerald is found to be accurate in his fictional portrayal of prohibition, gangsters, the American Dream and new women of the 1920s. By examining various aspects in the novel, this paper compares the reality of the 1920's, to the way it is described in "The Great Gatsby" and examines its accuracy.
From the Paper "F. Scott Fitzgerald was accurate in his portrayal of the aristocratic flamboyancy and indifference of the 1920s. In his novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores many aspects of indifference and flamboyancy. A large influence on this society was the pursuit of the American Dream. Gangsters played a heavily influential role in the new money aristocracy of the 1920s. The indifference was mainly due to the advent of Prohibition in 1920. One major societal revolution in this period was that of the ?new women,? who expressed new actions and beliefs. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald accurately portrayed his characters Nick Carraway, Daisy and Tom Buchanan, and the novel's eponym, Jay Gatsby, as a part of the society of the 1920s."
Abstract This paper reviews the novel ?Tracks" by Louise Erdich, which chronicles the lives of Ojibwa people living in North Dakota between the winter of 1912 and the spring of 1924. The challenges of becoming a member of a mixed society are many and within the novel "Tracks" can be seen the assumed realities of the changing world of the Chippewa people. The paper focuses on the lives of the Chippewa people and their interaction with mainstream America at the time.
From the Paper "Rather early in the post-colonial phase, ?Tracks chronicles the lives of Ojibwa people living in North Dakota between the winter of 1912 and the spring of 1924.? (Stookey 1999) Scholarship on the issue of colonial native America has recently headed toward the interdisciplinary approach and has learned to embrace narrative fiction. ?The elements of a sound Native American history would include an interdisciplinary perspective, reconstruction of the American Indian experience, and a more complete description of how Native societies adapted to changing conditions."
Abstract In his memoir of the Vietnam War entitled "A Rumor of War", Phillip Caputo his experience as an ordinary soldier in Vietnam in explicit and vivid terms. He does so without any romanticism or any sense of higher purpose about the United States' goals in the conflict. The paper shows that, rather, Caputo writes to deflate those who might feel such romanticism about war. The paper discusses his use of dividing the book into three sections to portray his evolvement from naive, idealistic soldier to one who returns home feeling as if he has aged sixteen years.
From the Paper "During the second section, however, Caputo says he did try feeling some dignity in what he did, but a philosophical intelligence had intruded upon his consciousness that caused him to question things, even while he was committing misjudgments. "Whatever the rights and wrongs of the war, nothing can diminish the rightness of what you tried to do,? he reminded himself after his friend died. However, the gross reality of the battlefield inevitably intruded."
Examines the leadership skills of former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giulian and provides positive commentary on his effectiveness as a leader immediatley following the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract Rudolph W. Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, began 2001 in relative national obscurity and was deemed by many to be a mediocre mayor at best. But, by the end of the year, in the wake of 9/11, Rudy Giuliani became a national hero. Giuliani was given an opportunity to demonstrate resolve, inner-strength, courage, and dedication to his cause and country in rare fashion. It was his steady gaze and reassuring voice that carried the day; much more so than President Bush's visibly shaken, uncertain, even frightened flight from city to city in the wake of the attacks. While our President was hiding in bunkers and on airplanes, Giuliani was at "Ground Zero", making himself useful in a direct and incredibly effective manner. There was no pretense, no fear, just a great man who had never had the opportunity to demonstrate that fact of himself. Leadership, true leadership, has inherent qualities that cannot simply be tried on. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the leadership qualities of Rudolph W. Giuliani and to demonstrate that his is an assured political future.
Abstract This essay will argue that Bell's thesis is that personal choices and not the determinism of historical forces led to the Second World War. In particular, as will be seen, Bell focuses on the personal choices made by one: Adolf Hitler. He contends that German policies of aggression and expansion that ultimately caused the war were shaped more by the personality of one man than by any broader mix of social forces or national interests.
Abstract Competing claims over Kashmir by India and Pakistan are the key sources of the conflicts. The claims and the consequences are the result of some historical events, but also of opposing ideologies of India and Pakistan. Responses associated with the claims from both sides have engendered political extremism in Kashmir. Past policies of the U.S. and China toward the region, on the other hand, have instigated armed conflicts and contributed to the extremism.
