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
Abstract This paper looks at three different revolutions in history: The American, The English, and The French. The author compares and contrasts the three in different categories. These include: Strength and Hope/ Misery Tyranny and Brutality / Incompetent and Weak Military Conflict Leaders of the Revolution Possession of Power Additional Freedom Gained / Loss of Freedom.
From the Paper "The English Revolution was spawned by strength and hope. The revolutionists came to arms because of King Charles I decision to tax the people to support his war against the Scots and his decision to force the catholic religion upon his country. Through the support of the people the Long Parliament was able to arrest and ultimately execute the chief advisors. Also, Parliament was able to put limits on the Kings purgatives. "
Abstract This paper includes a look at the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. The author provides a historical background regarding its creation under the ruler, Hadrian, as well as photos of this building. The focus of the paper is on a 'walkthrough' of this architectural site.
From the Paper "Throughout Roman history, many influential temples have been built. Perhaps the most recognizable and influential temple in all of imperial Rome is the Pantheon. Most temples that were built in ancient Rome were dedicated to a single god, or possibly a few gods. Built by the Emperor Hadrian, the ideology behind the Pantheon was to give remembrance and respect to all of the gods in ancient Rome. Since this temple was turned into a church in the early seventh century A.D., it was maintained and preserved very well, and can still be visited today. Within this research paper, I will provide a detailed look at the construction of the Pantheon, as well as Hadrians motivation to erect this building."
Abstract This paper gives history behind the Roman Republic, and delves into its decline and eventual collapse.
From the Paper "To this day historians debate the reasons for the decline and fall of the Roman Republic; some arguing that conquests by Roman generals allowed them to overpower Republican institutions. To say that these powerful military leaders and their influence over Rome were solely responsible for the fall of the Republic would be nearsighted at best. The decline of the Republic began in the middle of the second century B.C. with political, economic, and social events. These events in addition to the burdens of civil war on Rome, lead to the inevitable failure of the Republic. As to the question of whether or not I agree that Roman generals strong armed the Republican government, I only partially agree. I agree that the generals and their influence over Rome, as well as their civil wars were a cause of the fall of the Republic. I feel that there were many other contributing factors, too, which happened over the course of hundreds of years."
A comparison of two opposite types of governments and how they enforced strangely similar tactics while ruling the country and the results that followed with each ruler.
2,575 words (approx. 10.3 pages), 12 sources, 2001, $ 77.95
Abstract This paper examines the similarities between the tsarist system under Tsar Nicholas II and the policies of Joseph Stalin in the communist Soviet Union. The author examines the mishandling of the military, use of secret police, and exploitation of the peasant community. The author also compares the results of their similar policies.
From the Paper 'The political ideals of communist Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin could not be farther from those of Russia under Tsar Nicholas II. Yet, when analyzing the actions of each leader, the policies of each government and conditions of the country are strangely similar. Both leaders are known for their incompetent rule of unprepared militaries in the World Wars, their cruel treatment and exploitation of the peasant community, and use of force to instill fear and obedience throughout the country. It is intriguing how the Soviet communist regime could mirror the actions of the Russian monarchy, a system perpendicular to the Soviets, which they had overthrown."
Abstract This essay examines the role of the farming peasantry of France in pushing forward the French Revolution. What grievances and suffering had the peasants endured that led to open revolt in 1789, and what revolutionary responses did they take? While not representative of the political or intellectual strength that provoked the French Revolution, the peasant's role in toppling the old regime cannot be ignored. This essay describes and evaluates that role.
From the Paper "It should be said before beginning that during the initial struggle between the status quo and the other classes (aristocracy, bourgeoisie, workers), the peasants had played little or no role. In fact, they had literally no part in "provoking" the first responses and revolts, and before July, 14, 1789 there was scarcely any question of the peasants. Their grievances and complaints were of little interest to the National Assembly, in which they had no members (Lefebvre 131). Yet, if one examines the story of the French peasantry and evidence provided by Georges Lefebvre, it can be argued that they had had been suffering longer and had more to complain about than any of the other classes of French society and that their actions in July and August, 1789 were utterly crucial ones. In the end, it was the mass peasant uprising of 1789 that pushed forward the revolution, destroying the remnants of the manorial and feudal system, and finally bringing all the non-aristocratic social classes in France fully together in their efforts to topple the status quo."
Abstract This essay describes and analyzes the social forces: economic, politcal, and ideological, that caused the French Revolution. The paper emphasizes the inevitability of radical change in 1789.
From the Paper "It is clear that the ancient regime of late 18th century France was ripe for radical change, and I believe the conditions present in French society in 1789 did necessarily point toward a revolutionary solution. Although Owen Connelly points out that contemporaries judged the Revolution a great surprise, I believe that if they had understood the nature and variety of social forces "in play" during that particular period they would have recognized the approach of revolution. This essay will examine social forces: economic, political, and ideological, and evaluate how they combined to create the necessity of revolution in France in 1789."
Abstract This paper discusses the various advantages and disadvantages which the Union and the Confederacy each had during the Civil War. Throughout this paper, a closer examination will be done on each party's military strength, skill, and economic power.
From the Paper " Upon taking an initial glance at the United States? Civil War, many come to think it was a war which was fought strictly for slavery. Perhaps being the primary reason, it was, however, not the only reason. With Lincoln being elected as president, the Confederates feared he would abolish slavery. On March 4, 1861, Lincoln stated, "I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists" (Kiersey). The war was not about slavery, but it offered an easy excuse for those supporting the South (Kiersey). The South's secession was clearly marked when the first shots of the American Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter by the Confederacy on April 6, 1861. ?...the seceding states now have constituted themselves a nation? (Kiersey). Non-slave territories were readily being admitted as states of the Union, causing the South's equality in the US Senate to be ended (New Standard Encyclopedia C-350)."
Tags: civil, confederacy, history, union, usa, war
Abstract The paper argues that a fundamental shift to a more i just society, with a beauracratic and rational culture, and a country with less oppression and more individual freedom and opportunity is what evolved out of the work of the first French revolutionaries, such asNapoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon did much to promote and advance the wide-ranging social, economic, and cultural changes that arose from the French Revolution, and it is this legacy and its completion by Bonaparte that this essay focuses on. The principles are divided into several areas: religious, legal, educational, and economic, as well as comments on the institution of the military.
From the Paper "In addition, the seizure and sale of church lands was finally declared irrevocable and purchases of biens nationaux were guaranteed to the new property owners. The Church would never regain its unearned wealth and economic power. To put it simply, under the Concordat the Catholic Church was no longer an independent corporation within the state, but a body of salaried state servants dependent on the government."
Abstract This paper takes a very good look at how women were encouraged to enter the work force during World War II, the jobs they held and how they felt.
From the Paper "Among the many battles fought during the course of World War II was the battle for women's equality. It was during this time that the struggle for their for independence truly raged onward in full force. As of 1941, able-bodied men of all ages were needed in the United States military, as America had joined the Allied forces in fighting Germany, Italy, and Japan."
Abstract This paper describes the life of Thomas Paine, renowned early American figure. The author looks at his most famous writing, "Common Sense"- the pamphlet that inspired many to seek independence from the British monarchy, and join the American Revolution.
From the Paper "Thomas Paine was admired by many, and seen as one of the causes of the colonies formal declaration for independence. He had support from other national leaders, including Ben Franklin, George Washington, and others. His Common Sense pamphlet was read and argued throughout the colonies. Its contents would always be brought up in taverns, reading clubs, parlors, and street corners. He was uncaring about other people's views of him, and wrote what he thought. At the time He was one of the few men to do so. He wrote in a voice that was understandable to the common people, and placed before them the facts. His works are still being read and studied today, because of the importance of his outspoken views about government and life."
Tags: revolution, pamphlet, benjamin, franklin, declaration, of, independence, common, sense
Abstract This paper examines the life of Martin Luther who was a catalyst of the Reformation of the Church and instrumental in the rise of Protestantism. The author explains how Martin Luther changed the ideas of the common man, gave him power of knowledge and self-righteousness and helped transform the peasant class. He examines the ideas that we are responsible for our own, self-will and individualism.
Topics covered:
Birth and family
Martin becomes a monk
Martin prepares for reformation of the church
Action is taken with his ninety-five theses
Martins trial in Worms
Martins influence and change of the peasant class (Black Forest)
Other great works authored by Martin
Luther supports the marriage of monks and nuns in the order
Martin marries a nun
Luther's Children
Luther's influence on the future, conclusion supporting above thesis
Bibliography
From the Paper "In the days of Martin's theological studies as a monk, he studied the bible rigorously. One passage in the bible stood out in his mind: ?The just shall live by faith.? One of Luther's first assignments as a monk was to join another monk in a trip to Rome. In Martin Luther's mind Rome was a sacred place. Instead of a sacred place Luther saw a place of wickedness, greed, crime and corruption (Harper). Luther states: ?Where God builds a church, the Devil puts a chapel next door.? He also stated: ?The closer to Rome,the worse the Christians.? "
Abstract An examination of the Battle of Midway and how it changed World War II. The author examines the international relations between states at the time, such as Japan and the U.S. and how this battle changed the position of the U.S. in the war. A look at the events that led to the battle.
From the Paper "Prior to the Battle for Midway, the U.S. Navy had suffered nothing except crushing defeats (except for the Battle of the Coral Seas, which was less than a full victory). The Japanese were approaching Australia, and Admiral Yamamoto was relentlessly hunting what was left of the American Navy after Pearl Harbor. He intended to occupy the Western Pacific Islands (Boorda, 1995), especially Midway, to establish a protective perimeter around his homeland. (The desire to accomplish this was increased with Doolittle's raid on Japan in April, mentioned below.)"
Tags: war, japan, u.s., relations, fight, win, pacific, territory, conquer
Abstract This paper discusses the works of John Steinbeck, renowned American author of such classics as "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men". The author examines Steinbeck's main themes in his writings-human suffering, indifference for life, and extreme poverty during the Great Depression. The paper looks at how Steinbeck wrote in a distant, unsentimental voice, but attempted to teach morality through his work.
From the Paper "John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas on February 27, 1902 . In his works we see sensitivity to nature and to the natural processes of life within the setting of California . His novels usually focus on the migrant laborers, the exploited men and women, the union organizers, the marine scientists whose affections, concerns and fears the writer had such abundant opportunity to observe. The focus on these theme using characters that are involved and affected in the societal changes that are taking place due to mans need for progress which at times present his actions against nature create the concept of moral values. Steinbeck had a feeling of pity for the poverty and misery that the workers of the depression years faced and yet, he did not present his stories either with sentimentalism or inappropriately objective stylization. Rather, when we read his novels we realize a certain morality inherent in the themes that calls for America 's consciousness to be appraised."
Abstract This paper examines the Watergate break-in scandal in 1972. The author discusses the political motive behind the act, the figures involved in the scandal, and attempts to understand why President Nixon would authorize the illegal act and jeopardize his future.
From the Paper "The cause of the Watergate scandal lays in the split between the containment and new world order factions within the Nixon administration. Through 1972, Richard Nixon's presidency had been a successful one. He had begun to remove the United States from Vietnam , opened relations to China , achieved detente with the Soviets, and brought the allies back under tighter control through higher energy prices, all of which helped strengthen containment. Henry Kissinger and the other members of the Rockefeller establishment needed to find some way to gain leverage over Nixon in order to promote their new world order agenda. Watergate would become their tool for wresting power from Nixon and changing the grand strategy of American foreign policy."
