Abstract This paper explores the caste system in Indian society, focusing on the lowest class of humans, the 'chandalas' or the 'untouchables' who are the mixed offspring of different castes. The paper provides an historical background of the caste system which came into being around 600-664CE. It then looks at the situation of the untouchables who are denied many social and religious privileges and the role the Indian government plays in trying to intervene to overcome this discrimination. The paper discusses the future of the caste system, especially the situation of the disadvantaged.
From the Paper "The longevity of the caste system is rooted in traditional Hindu thinking. The caste system was not born overnight, but had evolved over three millennia, adapting to the innumerable migrations and invasions of diverse peoples, before becoming what it is today (Paz 44). Thus, the Indian government has an uphill battle in attempting to overturn the prejudices of the caste system. Apart from increasing the quotas of the jobs to the backward classes and the scheduled castes, the government should improve their access to education ("Casting" 18). Currently, only 62% of Indians complete primary education with less than half enrolled in secondary school. In order to promote the causes of the disadvantaged classes, education will be a key factor in enabling them to rise above the prejudices of the caste system. Furthermore, with the rise of urbanization and Western influence, the power of the caste system has diminished in the cities. In the distant future, the ideal Indian society can be created?one that respects the essential role of the caste system in endowing each individual with a sense of lineage and identity, without the dire discrimination perpetrated against the backward classes and the scheduled castes."
Abstract This paper explains that the American failures in Cuba and Vietnam in the 1960s were due in large part to the fear, arrogance and ignorance of Cold War containment policies that developed in the aftermath of World War II. The author believes that the problem was the assumption that all political and economic reform movements in Third World nations were not indigenous but were inspired instead by the evil Communist leaders of the Soviet Union. The author states that once this Cold War policy was in effect, no leader of the U.S. had the courage, wisdom or political independence to try to alter fully that policy.
From the Paper "Kennedy certainly entered office under the pall of the same Cold War ideology and its containment policy, as evidenced by his "missile gap" rhetoric, his increase of advisors in Vietnam, and the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. It will never be known whether he would have averted a war in Vietnam, but his test-ban treaty with the Soviets, his denunciation of the CIA after the Bay of Pigs disaster, and his plan to withdraw some troops from Vietnam indicate at least a willingness to consider more flexibility in that policy."
Tags: containment, soviet, war, indigenous, kennedy
Abstract Limerick's book is a work of synthesis designed to suggest a new, comprehensive ground on which the history of the American West, often fragmented into many different branches, can be approached afresh. The paper discusses Limerick's view that, contrary to popular thinking based on the ideas by Frederick Jackson Turner that the American Frontier closed officially in 1890, the 'settling of the west' experience was not an exclusively European domain. The book reminds the reader of the Indians, Hispanics, Asians and women whose involvement in the Western history was not a minor matter.
From the Paper "As Limerick notes in discussing current events that may have an impact on further shaping the West, every historian operates from a presentist context and it was a mistake for historians to ignore the fact that Turner's presentism exerted a particularly limiting force on his thesis. If historians today look at the continuities and common themes of Western history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, rather than adhering to the artificial 1890 watershed imposed by Turner's thesis, they will certainly, even if they do not accept every aspect of Limerick's own thesis, develop a means of viewing Western history in a comprehensive fashion."
Tags: savage, wilderness, cattlemen, Native, American
Abstract This paper deals with the concept of partition within a country, with an emphasis on the the conflict between the Hindus and Muslims in India, since the creation of the states of Pakistan and India in 1947 after the partition of India. It studies the past and the present situation with definitions for its historical motivation and culture. It provides a brief history of the conflict between the Hindus and Muslims and examines how after its Independence, the Muslim India needed to establish its political and territorial identity and were directly against Gandhi's view of a united India.
From the Paper "Partition in India has not ended and it is far from ending. The territorial right that Masumi Jadwani deals in his thesis are political rather then religious and analyze it from a historical perspective. Of course, religion will play a role whenever the substratum citizen has to find a reason to quarrel over rights of some type. Conflict may initiate locally, bottom up but mainly it will originate from top bottom decisions. Eventual conflicts in India surge in a bulk of problems that exist for long time. Conflicts of Hindus and Muslims date from even before the British."
Abstract This paper explores the definition and meaning of terrorism in the wake of September 11. The writer looks at the origins of terrorism, not only as a modern day phenomenon but its occurrence throughout history. The paper also explores terrorism's roots, be it international terrorism, religious based, or domestic terrorism such as the Unabomber and the Oklahoma city attack. The writer focuses on terrorism on American soil, but refers to terrorist attacks in the past throughout the world as well.
From the Paper "Terrorism, both within the United States and abroad, changed complexion after the mid-1960s, with broader ramifications and greater impact. Several elements combined to make international terrorism easier and more effective: technological advances, resulting in both greater destructiveness and smaller size of weapons; the means available to terrorists for quick movement and rapid communication; and the extensive worldwide connections of the chosen victims."
Tags: terrorist, oklahoma, world, trade, center, arab, militant, hijack, biological, weapons
Abstract The Parthenon (447-32 BCE) was a crowning glory of Athenian civilization of the classical era and, what is more important, it was intended as such at the time. Thus, nearly 2,500 years later, it is possible to view the building as incorporating all of what the Athenians saw as beautiful, sacred and of civic importance in architecture. The paper shows that as its overwhelming position and the nature of its sculptural decoration make clear, it was the focal point of the religious-civic identity of the Athenian polis. The paper describes how the Parthenon housed the great statue of Athena Parthenos, was the main building in the complex of temples dedicated to the gods on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, depicted some version of the most important Athenian religious ceremony (the Panathenaic procession and festival) and loomed over the city as a reminder and a promise of Athenian greatness.
From the Paper "But there was also a contradiction in being expected to achieve the perfection of the Doric order on a much larger scale, for which adjustments had to be made to the greater number of columns. As Boardman points out, however, the wider fa"ades lent the building a "reassuring breadth which is enhanced by the way its proportions then seem to match those" of the Acropolis on which it stands (112). But this breadth might have been oppressive in its effects if the architects had not devised a means of avoiding too great a visual equivalence between the rock and the temple. Their solution was a very subtle curvature of the stylobate, and the rest of the floor, which is also reflected in the entablature. This also affects the columns which "lean slightly in while the upperworks [that they support] lean slightly out" (Boardman 112). This gives the entire fa"ade a "pyramiding movement" to which all the external lines contribute; ever so subtly, therefore, the columns' inward inclination lends itself to a slight triangular effect that is enhanced by the surmounting pyramid of the pediment (Martin 292)."
Abstract John Hay, the U.S. Ambassador to London, called the war of 1898 with Spain ?a splendid little war.? His statement, often quoted about the war, indicated his recognition that this war would change the position of the United States in the world and have ramifications for decades to come. This paper shows that the Spanish-American War often gets little attention in history texts, overpowered by the bigger, longer-lasting wars such as the War Between the States, World War I and World War II. The fact is that the Spanish-American War, which included significant action both in the Caribbean, especially Cuba, and the Pacific, especially involving the Philippines, had complex causes and complex long-term ramifications.
From the Paper "The war of 1898 represented a turning point in the United States? international standing. The country acquired its first overseas territories and pushed Spain out of the Western Hemisphere (Rodriguez, 1998). It laid the groundwork for our involvement in World War II, as our growing interests in the Pacific had a profound effect on Japanese action in that arena. Until the Spanish-American war, our influence had been limited to North America. Now we had presence in both major oceans and had contended with other great powers, either by warfare or by maneuvering, and had emerged victorious (Rodriguez, 1998). It was not a challenge to defeat Spain, but the long-term effects of the war dramatically affected history for the following century. The groups who drew us into the war, both in the Caribbean and the Pacific, revolutionary factions in both Cuba and the Philippines, did not fare well. Cuba was liberated from Spain but under profound influence of the Untied States. In the Philippines, the people simply traded one country's domination for another?s."
Tags: Monroe, Doctrine, Manifest, Destiny, Mexican, War, President, McKinley
Abstract A detailed comparison of the Articles of Confederation effective between 1781-1788 and its replacement, the U.S Constitution. The author discusses the need to replace the Articles of Confederation with the constitution and then analyzes these constitutions point by point finding that the number of differences are more than the number of commonalities.
From the Paper "The United States has worked under two constitutions. The first was the "The Articles of Confederation" which was ratified by Maryland, and was effective from March 1, 1781 till June 21, 1788. The second was ? The Constitution?, which replaced the Articles of Confederation when New Hampshire upheld it. A day, which changed the history of the Americans, is July 4, 1776. This is the day on which the members of the Second Continental congress signed the Declaration of Independence, which is not very commonly known but has its own importance. It is on this date the September 17, 1787 on which the constitution was signed. So it is this Constitution that actually founded the government that we are familiar with today. But surely there was a government in the years in-between."
Tags: declaration, government, comparison, history
Abstract This paper examines the history of San Francisco as presented in "Imperial San Francisco: Urban Power, Earthly Ruin" by Gran Brechin. It reviews how Brechin discusses the impact the California Gold Rush, San Francisco's elite and powerful, the control of water sources and the shipbuilding industry had on the development of San Francisco.
From the Paper "Brechin's book, "Imperial San Francisco" is a compelling history of the "City by the Bay," which pulls no punches in San Francisco's rise from sleepy bayside community to one of the most powerful cities in the world. From the preface, where he compares the imperial cities of old and their contados, areas surrounding the city that the city dominates and contribute to the city's well-being and growth, to the last chapter, where he illustrates modern power development in the Bay Area through her educational facilities, Brechin paints a complete and convincing picture of San Francisco's roots and development."
Tags: city, bay, bayside, community, william, randolph, hearst, john, hays, hammond, william, ralston
Abstract This essay will argue, this role was not simply one of "hawk" or "dove". Rather, Robert Kennedy's position - as did the position of many in Washington in those days - moved depending upon what decision appeared to offer the most "room" to negotiate among a group of generally negative options. However, it was in his extra-constitutional role as an "extension" of the President's will that Robert Kennedy played a dominant role in the Cuban Missile Crisis in three respects. His "negotiations" with the Soviets - often unofficial and conducted outside the usual channels of diplomacy - ensured the maintenance of lines of communication between Moscow and Washington in this crucial time.
Abstract This paper examines the contributions of Thomas Jefferson to the United States, and focuses upon how and why he promoted enlightenment ideals during his public life. The author discusses how Jefferson personified the enlightenment in America, how he tirelessly championed enlightenment ideals and philosophies, and rejected the evils of government and society that the enlightenment exposed. He concludes that Jefferson was a talented writer, an idealistic politician, a successful farmer, a progressive architect, and the author of a vision of hope that inspired the young nation he led.
Abstract An examination of the life of Mohandas Gandhi, his philosophy of non-violence, his religious views, his achievements and his legacy as one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. The author discusses Gandhi's vital role in the Indian independence movement, provides a brief historical, religious, and political overview of India, examines factors relating to British imperialism in India, and examines political developments and challenges in India since independence was won from Great Britain in 1947.
Abstract This paper discusses the anti-communist drive in 1940s and 50s, which is referred to as McCarthyism because of the involvement of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the campaign. This crusade waged against any person with even a remote connection with the communist idea had a major impact on the lives of Americans.
Abstract This paper is a critique and reaction statement to the non-fiction book "The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America", by Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz. This book focuses on the events in 1834-1836, where a man calling himself "Matthias the Prophet" began an underground religious cult in New York City that focused on sex and the deprecation of women.
