A look at the origins and causes of the Cuban revolution, with a focus on economics, politics, the role of the U.S., bureaucracy, generational conflicts and the armed struggle.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 5 sources, 1993, $ 55.95
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to discuss the situation leading to the downfall of Fulgencio Batista, the former dictator of Cuba. This paper will show that, while the United States played a role in exploiting the Cuban people, waste within the Cuban economic and social strata, causing the mistrust of the younger generation, also contributed to the causes of the revolution.
The Cuban revolution happened quite quickly. It occurred between January 1, 1959 and the end of 1960--Batista having fled the country on January 1, 1959. The revolution was comparatively bloodless: although a figure of 20,000 often appears for the number killed by Batista between 1956 and 1958--a figure he vigorously refutes.--the deaths on both sides in the civil war may have been as few as 2,000.. There are many experts who..."
From the Paper "In Black Majority, Peter H. Wood argues that West African slaves impacted the development of South Carolina sharply; rather than exerting a minor influence on labor, West African slaves played a pivotal role in developing the colony's economy. He claims that specific skills localized in the black slave community enhanced the colony's economic prosperity and that slaves played and active role as the ultimate majority in that social and political structure. Moreover, argues Wood, not only would South Carolina's development have been difficult without slave labor; it would have been almost impossible without the know-how the slaves brought with them from West Africa. This paper focuses on the this knowledge and on the expanding role of slavery in the development of South Carolina from the inception of the colony to the period that directly precipitated the ..."
This paper discusses the background, detail and the aftermath of the foreceful eviction of the Cherokee tribe from its ancestoral lands in 1838, an event known as the "Trail of Tears."
Abstract The paper introduces the Cherokee - one of the largest tribes of Native Americans in the United States. It shows how their survival is a tribute to their remarkable resistance since in the harsh winter of 1838 and 1839, the entire Cherokee tribe was threatened with extinction during an event that is known as ?The Trail of Tears.? The paper examines one of the darkest moments in American history, when the Federal troops under the orders of the United States government forcibly evicted the entire Cherokee tribe from their ancestral lands in Georgia to Oklahoma during a cruel 1000 mile forced journey. Out of a total of 16,000 Cherokee people, over 4000 men, women, and children died of hunger, disease, and exposure to the elements on the trail. The paper discusses how "The Trail of Tears" symbolizes the callousness with which the United States government treated the Native Americans due to greed and prejudice inherent in human nature. It covers the background, events and aftermath of the "Trail of Tears."
From the Paper "The Cherokee tribe bravely suffered their ordeal on the Trail of Tears setting to work in their new home. They built homes, schools and churches. They set up a government and named their capital "Tahlequah" that is still the cultural center of the Cherokees and the source of documented evidence of their history. The Indians were on the way of recovery from their ordeal when another devastating event intervened: The American Civil War. The Cherokees aligned themselves with the Confederacy since the South had promised that when the war was over they would be permitted to form their own state. After having supported the British during the American War of Independence, the Cherokee had again chosen the wrong side. So when the North won the Civil War, the Indians, were duly penalized. Most of their lands guaranteed by previous treaties were taken from them and their sad plight continued."
Abstract This paper looks at Frederick Douglass' autobiography which describes his childhood of slavery. It is shown how Douglass confronts the ideas of power, family, knowledge, home, violence, and having a sense of self. The author illustrates how Douglass attempts to warn Americans about the dire effects that slavery is going to have on the whole nation and how his book makes astounding progress in the fight to abolish slavery.
From the Paper "The power a slave owner has over slaves is broad ? Douglass explains how slavery itself narrows opportunities for slaves to have any sense of self. Like many slaves, Douglass did not know his birth date, which strips him of his own identity from a young age. Slave owners purposely withhold this personal information, attempting to keep slaves from feeling human ? they don?t want slaves to have the power of human rights. To the slaveholders, they are just property, like cows, horses and sheep. The slaveholders utilize their power by keeping children away from their parents, too, because any sense of family would have given slaves security, and camaraderie ? both of which could have caused rebellion against the cruelty of slavery. Douglass knew little of his mother, which prevented him from knowing about his history, his ancestry."
Tags: autobiography Douglass, Frederick Abolitionism slave narratives
Abstract This paper elaborates on Islam and its religious politcal history for the past 100 years, including the later part of this century. It offers some insights into what may have given rise to what is now known today as Islamic fundamentalism.
From the Paper "While the roots of political Islam can be traced back to the time of Mohammed, the real impact of Islam as a political ideal came about with the Iranian revolution and the Ayatollah Khomeini. The new brand of political Islam that Khomeini brought to Iran was a new, more militant Islam than the world had previously been exposed to. During the time of the Ottoman Empire, Islam was spread as the ideal religion, however, there was room for both branches of Islam, Sunni and Shiite, to practice. There was also a place for Christians and Jews, although it was on the second class level. However, Khomeini's brand of religious zealotry was harsh and dictatorially strict."
Tags: Ayatollah, east, fanaticism, Islam, Muslim, politics, religious
Abstract This paper provides an insight into the Battle at Antietam in 1862 which cost more that 23,000 Union and Confederate lives, known as the "Bloodiest Day" in U.S. combat history. It recounts the events leading up to the battle, the main events during the battle and the impact and significance of the battle upon the Civil War. It analyzes the aftermath of the battle including the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves and further polarized the division between the North and the South.
From the Paper "Several states (Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland) remained as "border" states not pledging their allegiance to either side. The tactical importance of these states was immeasurable to the South; if control could be gained they would act as a stepping stone to the invasion of the North. With the Union still reeling from their defeats at Bull Run, the possibility of victory for the South became a reality therefore setting the stage for the battle at Antietam."
Tags: north, south, confederates, emancipation, proclamation, civil, war, lee
Abstract This paper examines immigration to American in the early to mid-nineteenth century and looks at the causes and consequences of it from a historical, economic, political and geographic perspective. It describes the different periods and the different countries the immigrants came from and the variety of reasons why people from all over the Old World chose to come to America to start a new life for themselves. It outlines the development of various immigration laws and organizations over the years, which regulated immigration and excluded immigrants from particular countries which culminated in what is now known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
From the Paper "There was a variety of reasons why people from all over the Old World chose to come to America to start a new life for themselves. These reasons are known as either "push" factors or "pull" factors. War, unemployment, and famine are examples of push factors. The ability to get cheap, fertile new land in America was a pull factor. "To many, probably the majority, economic freedom made an even greater appeal than political freedom" (Hansen, p. 160)."
Abstract Pope John XXIII was a supposed to be a transitional pope, but instead he became one of the most influencial popes in the history of the Church. He called the important and famous Second Vatican Council with the main emphasis being on 'aggiornamento', which means 'an updating.' This paper discusses the need for an updating within the Church, and also the role that updating played in the Church.
From the Paper "Pope John XXIII was elected to be a transitional pope; he was seventy-six years old when he was elected to the position. He had succeeded Pope Pius XII, a man whom was considered by some to be a Nazi-sympathizer because of his silence during the Holocaust. John XXIII was seen as a frail, old man, so it was much to everyone's surprise when he called for a Second Vatican Council. John XXIII made the announcement on January 25, 1959, but he remained very vague about his intentions of the council. He made the announcement after a Christian-unity celebration in St. Paul's Basilica. (1) After his announcement, Catholics understood his plans as calling for a council of unity; John XXIII assured them that it wouldn?t be a council of unity, but rather a council that would serve the cause of unity. One of the long-term goals would be Christian unity. Another point that was made was the council might represent a new beginning for the Catholic Church."
Abstract Discusses the study of film as a post-modern event. Defines the aesthetic values & dynamics of modernism and post-modernism. Post-Modernism as a cultural, aesthetic & historical issue. Structuralist thinking. Development of post-modern material and fragmented surface style in film. Examples: CONTEMPT, RESEVOIR DOGS, PULP FICTION.
From the Paper "Movements in artistic expression often occur spontaneously and are then given a name to identify a perceived trend. This is clearly the case with reference to both modernism and postmodernism, and the very fact that we have seen a need to find a name for the changed environment after 1960 shows that postmodernism exists in some degree--it exists because we have named it, but that does not make it any more a coherent or "intentional" movement than was modernism. In film terms, postmodernism primarily shows a certain weariness with modernism rather than a drive to something clearly new. The elevation of film to a subject for study is itself a postmodern event, signaling as it does the end of the modernist division into High and Low culture. The increasingly self-reflexive nature of modern film along with the elevation of style over substance are..."
Abstract Discusses changing labor management and relations in China. Impact of membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Availability of large pool of labor. Employee-employer relations. Unions. Worker's Councils. Profit sharing. Working conditions. Fringe benefits. Hours worked; holidays and vacations. Termination of employees. Foreign personnel; work permits.
From the Paper "Labor Relations in China
Labor Relations
The concepts of labor management and labor relations as they are understood in the Western World are basically unrealized in China today, although that situation is changing rapidly, and, most experts agree, will probably change more as China become fully vested as a World Trade Organization member.
Availability of Labor
According to a special report on labor in China, as of June 1, 2000, there were more than 200 million people earning work wages, and half of them are affiliated with labor unions. However, those wages typically average $20 to $30 U.S. a week. Likewise, most of the available labor is moving to the cities along the coasts, where the wages are higher, sometimes reaching $400 a month. There is, the ..."
Abstract In this report the writer explains chemical warfare and list the types of agents which can be used. It describes how a person is affected and the great potential hazards and dangers. The writer provides an overview of historical cases when chemical warfare has been used and explains how it's transmitted. The paper gives specific examples of certain types, and lastly, looks at how a person can be protected from chemical warfare.
From the Paper "On April 22 in 1915, six thousand pressurized cylinders full of chlorine gas were released into the wind near the Belgian village of Ypres. The chlorine floated in huge clouds slowly being carried by the wind until it reached an ally army to Germany, then killing 10,000 soldiers. Because of the amount of gas released the chlorine caused large amounts of yellowish fluid to form in the lungs of the soldiers causing them to choke to death. Germany attacked again another two days later killing another 5,000 soldiers with chlorine gas. This was the first chemical weapon attack in history and chlorine was the first chemical agent. Since then there have been a handful more times when chemicals have been used to attack other people and with the terrorist attacks on 9-11 Americans know the fear of chemicals being used against us. In this report I will explain chemical warfare, list the types, describe how a person is affected, explain when they’ve been used, explain how it’s transmitted, give specific examples of certain types, and lastly, how a person is protected from chemical warfare."
Abstract This essay outlines Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul between 59 and 51 B.C. It outlines major points and battles and, more specifically, centers on how his conquests affected his standing in Rome and his rise to power. The paper also examines Caesar's commentaries on the great battle, "The Conquest of Gaul".
From the Paper "Instances such as these show Caesar at his finest. With courage and enthusiasm Caesar routinely fought in the front ranks with his troops - leading by example to rally them. They won the battle of Sambre. Out of the force of 60,000 that came against the Romans, only 600 soldiers remained. Furthermore, the Conquest of Gaul not only showed his ability as a leader but also the type of man he was. Caesar was proud to be Roman, and his pride reveals itself in his commentaries. Caesar's commentaries were, in themselves, a reflection of that pride. To Pompey after having his command in Gaul revoked Caesar wrote, ?The glory of Rome has ever been my first object, dearer indeed than life itself.? Rome's will was his ambition."
Abstract Stephen Oates, in his book "Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths", believes the grandiose dimensions and symbol-building power of the myths people create reveal their deepest longings. The paper discusses Oates' argument that this is especially true of the myths Americans have created about Abraham Lincoln, the powerful figure who presided over the country's greatest trial, the Civil War. The paper shows that Oates' book argues that rather than reflect any actual truths about Lincoln the man and President, the American mythology surrounding Lincoln reflects the spiritual and psychological needs of America's culture. The paper looks at other portrayals of Lincoln as a mythological figure in American literature, such as in the poetry of Walt Whitman.
From the Paper "Oates argues that mythology carries a different truth than that of historical truth. In the case of Abraham Lincoln, the myth is what Americans wish the man had been rather than what he really was. The Lincoln myth has imbued him with the traits Americans consider their most noble, among them honesty, tolerance, a work ethic, forgiveness, compassion, a clear-sighted vision of right and wrong, and a dedication to God and country (Oates 16). Thus, Oates maintains, the mythological Lincoln "carries the torch of the American dream, a dream of noble idealism, of self-sacrifice and common humanity, of liberty and equality for all" (Oates 16)."
Abstract This paper discusses how Hochschild shows how Leopold not only plundered the region and decimated the population, he also showed amazing media savvy for his time and cultivated an image quite counter to what he was really doing to Africa and its people. It is shown that Leopold was not the only European leader taking the resources of Africa from a people who did not have sufficient power to resist, but his rule over the Congo was especially rapacious and destructive.
From the Paper "The map of Africa was cut up like a jigsaw puzzle by Europeans during the last part of the nineteenth-century for a variety of reasons. In 1876 the French initiate begun in Senegal attempted to revitalize France expansionist policy of colonization. By drafting treaties with the locals they expanded their colony and threatened the plans of the King of Belgium, fearing the expanding role of France, Britain began to recognize old claims that Portugal had on certain colonies and the whole matter concerned the Germans who while not wanting to colonize felt a need to protect their commercial interests. Ultimately this led to the Berlin Conference of 1884-5. The Conference recognized Leopold of Belgium's claim to the Belgian Congo and Zaire, French rights to equatorial Africa and freedom of trade throughout the region which was desired by the Germans. Britain was acknowledged to have claim on the lower Niger, France on the upper Niger. The conference also required a formal method of future European claims to Africa than the methods used by Britain in the past."
Abstract This paper discusses what makes Albert Einstein a hero. The writer claims that according to the definitions in Webster's Dictionary, Einstein was indeed a hero of the world community. The paper gives examples from the life and work of Albert Einstein to show that, unlike heroes of legend, Einstein was a modern hero.
From the Paper "Because of the anti-semitism he experienced and his dislike of the German military character, Einstein renounced his German citizenship in 1896 and was granted Swiss citizenship in 1901. He attended college in Zurich graduating in 1900 as a teacher of mathematics. In 1905 he earned a doctorate from the University of Zurich. It was also in 1905 that he wrote his revolutionary paper on the special theory of relativity. By 1909 he was recognized as a leading scientific thinker. In 1914 he returned to Germany to take up a prestigious research post. Einstein received the Nobel Prize in 1921 not for his theory of relativity but for his work on the photoelectric effect. He accepted a post at Princeton University and came to the United States in 1932, becoming a citizen in 1940 (Mathematicians/Einstein)."
Tags: mathematics, legend, science, research, Nobel
