Abstract The essay considers current developments in China and the repercussions they might have on the domestic and international scene. The issues considered span the social, political, and economic landscape along with background information about the years past World War II. The effect of the transition between communism and democracy is also taken into consideration.
From the Paper "There is nothing ordinary about China, one of world's leading powers. It has the largest population with about 1.3 billion inhabitants, has the third largest area, behind Russia and Canada, and one with nuclear capability. China is not only a great contemporary power but also has a great potential to be the greatest economic military and political power surpassing even that of the United States. "
Abstract This paper discusses puritan concepts that are still inherent in American society today. On one side, there are the Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock, the blunderbuss and the turkey, and on the other there is also the commonly-held 'dark side,' the Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans: witch-hunts, elitism, intolerance, narrow-minded zealotry. The former is seen to be more influential today.
From the Paper ""I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church." (Thomas Paine) History is primarily the history of ideas. The ideas, concepts and constructions which emerged from Europe in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries had an impact on the whole of the Western world from Europe to its colonies and beyond. The faith in reason, science, technology, progress, human rights, commerce, the nation, and humanity in general, would eventually find its way into a global context. While various Puritan concepts are under fire today, the world has yet to replace them."
Abstract This paper identifies the origins of the conflict in Northern Ireland and looks at the situation up to the present time.
From the Paper "The problems between Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants comes from age-old disputes. This War of Religion is still as much of a problem today as it was centuries ago. There have been many attempts to try and amend this hatred but none so far have succeeded. The troubles in Northern Ireland are political, economic, cultural, and historic, but religious identity is what keeps the hatred alive. This one characteristic is the deciding factor of which side an Ulster resident supports in this 400-year old feud. These feuds are a result of the English invasions that took place many centuries ago (CQ Researcher 803)."
Abstract This paper discusses the international consequences of the Great Depression. It addresses the question: how did an economic crisis in the United States lead to such a ripple effect throughout the world? The paper is divided into five chapters. The first chapter gives some background information about European dependency on the United States in the interwar period. The second chapter discusses the consequences in Europe from an economic point of view; and the remaining chapters explore the political consequences, both in general, and more specifically concerning Britain, France, and Germany.
From the Paper "The day of October 24, 1929 has been coined "Black Thursday". With the sounding of the bell on Wall Street, what started as an unsuspecting normal business day, ended with a market crash that had lasting and unlimited consequences on the modern world. Although not recognized immediately, the events on Wall Street sparked the Great Depression and led to immense political chaos. The crash, which ended the "Locarno Honeymoon" period, left the world in turmoil, and began a struggle for recovery. The analysis of the Great Depression poses questions that are twofold in regard to Europe: First, what where the international consequences felt in Europe, and second, how did an economic crisis in the United States lead to such a ripple effect throughout the world? "
Tags: britain, crash, europe, france, germany, great, interwar, market, stock
Abstract This paper details the origins of the Peace Corps and its development. It looks at the key political figures who urged the association to be set up. It talks about the type of work the association does, the requirements volunteers have to meet, training methods and goals and the way the type of volunteers involved in the Peace Corps has changed over time.
From the Paper "It was Wednesday, November 2, 1960. With election day less than a week away, more than one thousand five hundred enthusiastic democrats assembled at a $100.00 a plate dinner at San Francisco's Sheraton Palace Hotel. Speaking to his uproarious supporters, who punctuated his every sentence with screams and cheers, candidate Kennedy called for the establishment of a pool of "talented young men and women willing to serve their country" for three years as an alternative or as a supplement to peacetime selective service, well qualified through rigorous standards? to be ambassadors of peace.? That night in the raging melee of the Cow Palace in San Francisco, the American Peace Corps was born (Sullivan 13-15)."
Abstract This paper looks at the similarities between Shakespeare's "Henry V" and Machiavelli's "The Prince", and the concept of the perfect king. The two plays are discussed, and the concept that either Shakespeare is drawing his inspiration for his dramatization from Machiavelli or that both Machiavelli and Shakespeare have similar ideas of what the ideal ruler would be.
From the Paper "In Henry V, Shakespeare presents Henry as the ultimate ideal of kingship. The only question is where does this idea of a perfect king come from, and after reading Machiavelli's Prince and Henry V one begins to note similarities. Not the least of which is the passage quoted above, a true Machiavellian manoeuvre. In this passage, the governor of Harfleur, the French city under siege by Henry's troops, has refused entrance to the army of Henry. As Machiavelli says, "it is wiser to have a reputation for meanness which brings reproach without hatred, than to be compelled through seeking a reputation for liberality". Therefore, Henry, following this advice of Machiavelli, does exactly that, and frightens the innocent people of Harfleur into opening their city gates through the sheer grotesqueness of his command. We frequently see these similarities between the actions of Henry, at least through Shakespeare's portrayal, and the recommended actions of a good prince, as documented in Machiavelli's The Prince. Therefore, one might draw the conclusion that either Shakespeare is drawing his inspiration for his dramatisation from Machiavelli or that both Machiavelli and Shakespeare have similar ideas of what the ideal ruler would be."
A persuasive paper about the existence of the Holocaust and an interpretation of it. This paper will take you through documented accounts of Holocaust victims' families.
1,770 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 0 sources, 2001, $ 57.95
Abstract A narrative piece about the Holocaust and whether it existed. The author attacks those who deny the occurrence of the Holocaust and provides various documented accounts of those who survived it. The paper includes an interpretation of the effects of the Holocaust on both the living and the dead and the importance of Holocaust education for the future.
From the Paper "There is no question in my mind that there were mass killings of the Jews during World War II and like every great tragedy, there are people who feel it never happened. I wholeheartedly disagree with these people, whether they are against the Holocaust "theory" or are just plain prejudiced towards Jews. There were murders by the millions, and the Jewish victims of the Holocaust were affected by it, both directly and indirectly, as were their family members and friends who may have been thousands of miles away. Even today, people in the world are still affected by the extermination of millions of lives in Eastern Europe in the same respect there are still many people, even entire institutions, who seek to discredit the veracity of the Holocaust, going as far to claim that none of the horrific events ever occurred. (See Adelaide). I will prove that the Holocaust affected many lives, both in living and in death, and that it did indeed happen, through relating factual and opinionated accounts of victims and witnesses, and explaining why what happened to the Jewish population of the Holocaust."
Tags: holocaust, war, world, victims, Jews, death, mass, killing, torture
Abstract The author wrestles with Alexander the Greats' inclinations towards both good and evil in an attempt to show that he deserved the title: "Great". By comparing and contrasting, she is able to build a case that he was, indeed, as his name implies, 'Great'. With some interesting quotes from people that knew Alexander the Great personally.
From the Paper "Alexander the Great was a charismatic person who won the heart of the people he ruled throughout his short reign. He led them to victory against their enemies and had a generous nature. There was another side to Alexander though; he could be cruel, irrational and was known for his drunken rages. Despite his faults, Alexander's conquests, achievements and personal traits made him worthy of the title, ?the Great.? "
Tags: alexander, ancient, great, greece, greek, history, macedonia, military
Abstract This essay compares the American, English, and French Revolutions. In doing so, the author examines the leaders of these revolutions and their motives. He also looks into the history behind the forces that drove the people to revolt in each case. With much discussion of military conflicts, consequences and societal impact of the revolts both before and after.
From the Paper "The American Revolution was started by people with strength and hope. The Americans were heavily taxed by the British without having any representation in government, and British troops were brought in to prevent rebellion. People like Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine favored independence from the British and inspired many people to follow them, even though to more than half the colonists the idea of war was worse than British rule. Samuel Adams was a Harvard graduate and a master politician who constantly pushed for a confrontation with British authority. As a delegate to the Virginia Legislature, Patrick Henry advocated the repeal of the Stamp Act and in 1775 called for the use of Virginia's militia against England, comparing British rule to slavery for colonists. Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called "Common Sense" pointing out that colonists should separate from a repressive government; over 500,000 colonists bought the pamphlet and it inspired them to remain loyal to the revolution."
Abstract The Noh Theater of Japan is an extremely ritualized tradition, and traces of the Noh Theater are found in Western theater. This paper explores many of the distinctive elements of the Noh Theater, such as the use of masks, the themes presented within plays, and the evolution from the old Noh Theater to a more modern presentation of Noh techniques. While the focus of this paper is on the Noh Theater, comparisons are drawn between the Noh Theater and traditional Western theater. There is also a discussion of the more dialogue-driven kyogen style of Japanese theater in respect to the more ritualized Noh Theater.
From the Paper "The impact on the Noh Theater on the Western theater can be seen to have occurred in a very diverse way. It appears that the Western theaters managed to assimilate various components from the Noh Theater, such as the use of the hitamen in performances to convey a blank countenance. However, the greatest aspect of the Noh Theater on the West is found within the development of more exacting performance techniques, where rather than a single production being subject to incongruities and shoddy acting, the standards of acting were promoted to a higher level overall."
Abstract A discussion of the effects of the Vietnam War on ideals of morality, rationality and logic. Examines how America had to completely rethink its ideals; explaining that the Americans saw a side of themselves that had previously thought extinguished by moral superiority. Several explorations of this phenomenon can be found in the literature that grew out of the Vietnam conflict. The paper provides a discussion of how the Vietnam War influenced and changes ideals of morality.
From the Paper "Kant here argues for the existence of a supreme moral law which exists as the sole extension of reason; he contends that the only purpose of reason is to define and create moral ethics, and thus the conclusion that any action is "moral" must be reached solely through reason itself. This idea, that reason dictates morals, has been one of the most influential philosophical ideas in western thought. It influenced strongly the great political theorists, including Locke and Voltaire, and was hailed as the New Ethics for the Enlightenment. Indirectly, it can even be said to have influenced strongly the two great revolutions (French and American), both of which resulted in nations which held that reason was the highest goal of humanity, and that morality could be defined by rational means."
Abstract This paper compares two time periods in American history where hysteria caused a period of panic and persecution. The McCarthy Era of the 1950s and the Salem Witch Trials of the 1600s are explained and analyzed in a detailed thesis paper.
From the Paper "The McCarthy Era of the 1950's and the Salem Witch Trials of the 1600's were major events in American history that destroyed the lives and careers of many innocent victims. These tragic events were similar in that they demonstrated how hard times lead to society's need to find a scapegoat. They also show the shame and regret that take place after the bloodbaths occur. The parallels between these two events, which took place almost 300 years apart, are remarkable."
Abstract This essay suggests that Third World debt and underdevelopment are inextricably linked to European and American colonialism and imperialism. Historical and recent examples are given. Dependency theory is discussed.
From the Paper "Dependency theory emerged out of Latin America in the 1960s, during a time when modernization theory, which stresses heavy industrialization and laissez-faire economics, was increasing in popularity. It examines the root problems of poor countries, taking into account their histories?which are very different from those of the European and American superpowers, and by drawing connections between the imperialism of the last five centuries, and the neocolonialism of today."
Abstract This paper discusses influencing factors on the decision to send atomic bombs on Japan during WWII. The author argues that atomic bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were essential for America to win WWII.
From the Paper "The peaceful town of Hiroshima, Japan was beginning its day on the morning of August 6, 1945. Many Japanese were going to work or still in bed. The streets were bustling with bicycles. All at once, a flash of light was seen in the air. A deafening roar and fire hotter that the sun's surface. "Little Boy" exploded with the strength of twenty million tons of dynamite. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan were necessary for the Allies to win the Second World War, according to their terms of unconditional surrender of Japan. In order to determine this, one must observe: One, the German Nazi's example to Japan; two, the strife between Japan and the Allies; and three, the arguments given by Secretary of War Harry L. Stimson."
This paper explores the role of students in the Chinese Cultural Revolution in late 1960's. The paper goes into detail about the various experiences of Chinese youth. It talks about fanatics of the Cultural Revolution, as well as victims of it.
2,215 words (approx. 8.9 pages), 7 sources, 2000, $ 68.95
Abstract In China the document that started the Cultural Revolution is known as the ?Sixteen Articles.? It began the development of the new stage in the proletarian revolution, listed the reasons for Cultural Revolution, the targets of the revolution, and set up the guidance for carrying out the revolution. According to Mao, the bourgeoisie was still "trying to use the old ideas, culture, customs, and habits of the exploiting classes to corrupt the masses, capture their mind, and endeavor to stage a comeback". Thus, the main goal was to struggle against (1) people who are ?taking the capitalist road,? (2) to criticize "bourgeois academic authorities" and (3) to transform education, literature, and art that are not in correspondence with the socialist society. Mao's plan was taken seriously by many young students, who became vigorous supporters of the new plan. This paper explores the various experiences of Chinese youth during those years.
From the Paper "From August 1 to August 12, 1966, the Eleventh Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Communist Party was taken place in Peking. Mao Tse-tung was presiding. The meeting, which lasted for twelve long days, was ignored by some of the regular Central Committee members but was full of revolutionary leaders, students and teachers. In fact the plenum was attended only by 80 out of 120 Central Committee members. The decision of the Cultural Revolution involved a prolonged debate. Mao and his reforms faced heated opposition (Lee 65). Nonetheless, on August 8, the Plenary Session adopted, with barely enough votes, the ?Decision of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Concerning the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution,[1]? and in August 12 issued the "Communiqu" of the Eleventh Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China? (Fan 161)."
Introduction
The Red Guards
Final Remarks
Map of China
Short timeline of the Cultural Revolution
A letter from a Student to his ParentsBibliography
