This paper analyzes Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July", delivered on July 5th, 1852, one of the most provocative, powerful and persuasive speeches in American history.
Abstract This paper explains that Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July", challenged America, which had become a leading slave-nation and demanded the abolition of slavery because the foundation upon which America was built is freedom. The author points out that Douglass' argument was based heavily on American irony; by enslaving millions of their own countrymen, America's actions are analogous to the British oppression of Americans during its infancy. The paper relates that Douglass called the American people -- in the name of their fathers, the constitution and the Bible -- to renounce their "flagrantly inconsistent ways", abolish slavery and preserve liberty for all.
From the Paper "After reminding the audience of what their fathers fought for and against, Douglass speaks of the present condition of slavery. Many admit the evils of slavery yet fail to take action against it, while others live "off the fruits of your fathers." American citizens, according to Douglass, do not have this right to "wear out and waste the hard-earned fame" of their fathers. Instead, they must fight for justice. Douglass again emphasizes that America and its freedom do not belong to him, that it belongs to white Americans; "The rich inheritance of justice...is shared by you, not by me." Furthermore, Douglass brings light to the claim that slaves are not men. It is evident that slaves are men since there are laws against them which prove that slaves are in fact "moral, intellectual, and responsible beings." Therefore, it is conceded that slaves are men, and thus slaves deserve the same right of freedom, equality, liberty and justice as every white American."
From the Paper "OPEC was created at the Baghdad Conference of September 10-14, 1960. The five founding members were Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. OPEC was formed in response to the over production of oil in the late 1950's which in turn caused the price of oil to drop drastically (Encarta). The objective of OPEC as stated by the member countries is ?to co-ordinate and unify petroleum polices among member countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry (OPEC 1).?
Tags: countries, exporting, organization, petroleum, oil, arab, opec
Abstract This research paper argues that immigration in the U.S. has reached a crisis and we need to rethink our immigration policies. The paper briefly touches on the history of immigration, present immigration problems such as illegals, expert opinions, and ends with a call for an immigration moratorium.
Abstract An analysis of the narrative book 'Frederick Douglas'. A narration about slavery experienced by Frederick Douglass, a slave during the American period of slavery. The author discusses the history of slavery in the American society, its causes and effects.
From the Paper "This narrative of an American slave shows in great detail, the horrors of being a slave, and the severity and callousness of the slaveholders of the South. The reader witnesses the growth of Frederick Douglass from a young slave to a free man, all the while experiencing the great terrors and misfortunes of slave life. In the South, during the 1800s, it was a crime punishable by death for a slave to be taught to read and write. However, Douglass secretly taught himself, and because of this, we have the opportunity to read one of the most powerful testimonies of slavery in American history."
Tags: civil, trade, war, cruel, abuse, torture, calousness, suffer, freedom, imprisonment, force
Abstract A look at Martin Luther King Jr. A brief overview of his life and work in politics. The author gives a personal opinion about his impacts and contributions, and for his fight for freedom, equality and for the general understanding of justice.
From the Paper "I see King as a great visionary and a person who valued humanity and people for what they were worth. I admire his self-sacrifice and his courage to be controversial and be always outside comfort. As a journalist who must always step out of the comfort zone, I know how difficult that is. But I cannot comprehend what would it be like to be uncomfortable and constantly risk your life. I think there are very few people in history who put their beliefs and the interests of other people before their own, and there are only a few people who are willing to risk being unpopular and controversial while risking their well-being. Unfortunately, without those kinds of people big history cannot be made and changes are not possible."
Abstract This paper gives a general history of the American and French Revolutions. The author compares and contrasts these two significant pieces of history. A discussion of the causes for both revolutions and how the enlightenment played a major role in both of them. In addition the author gives the course of events that made these revolutions occur and their consequences.
From the Paper ?All men are born free, but everywhere they are in chains.?This and other statements from the enlightenment played major roles in the American and French Revolutions. The American Colonists felt that Britain was not giving them fair representation in parliament and that they were being deprived of their basic human rights. The people of France were starving and being treated harshly by their government. Both the French and the Americans rose up against authority and gained their freedom. When the fighting was over both countries formed a republican form of government and had a major effect on many different countries around the world."
Tags: america, britain, enlightenment, europe, france
The paper examines the massive effects the black plague had on society: including social, physical, psychological, religious, economical effects, and even influence in art and literature.
2,905 words (approx. 11.6 pages), 7 sources, 2000, $ 86.95
Abstract This paper provides a thorough look at the Bubonic Plague, the deadly pandemic that continuously reappeared all throughout Europe until the Seventeenth century, leaving behind death, devastation, and economic disaster. The author discusses how the plague was transmitted, symptoms, the versions of the plague, the plague's impacted on religion, and how it influenced the culture of the times-literature, art, and superstitious behavior. The paper also looks at the staggering number of dead that the Black Death claimed as it swept across the European continent.
From the Paper "The Black Death was a time of death and destruction to all of society and its surroundings during the Fourteenth Century and beyond. According to Chester David Rail, "The sudden onset of human plague in southeastern Europe and the Middle East in the winter of 1346-1347 seems to have marked the beginning of the plague", Rail, 11. The Black Plague was a deadly pandemic continuously reappearing all throughout Europe until the Seventeenth century, leaving behind death, devastation, and economic disaster. The Black Death, also known as the Black Plague or the Bubonic Plague, originated in the Thirteenth century. The disease originally was transmitted from rat to rat and from rat to man by the bite of rat-fleas. "Bubonic plague may be transmitted from place to place by imported fleas, which are carried by people"in their baggage or in merchandise?, Wilson , 2. Constant travel and trade by Europeans with other countries exposed Europe to the plague. Its symptoms were exhibited by buboes, which are hard, painful, swellings of lymphatic glands usually affecting the groin area or under the armpits and around the neck."
Abstract This paper examines in brief the history of this monumental stone circle, its construction and the myths that have grown up around it especially during the 20th century. The paper concludes that the monument remains so compelling in large measure because we know so little about it.
From the Paper "Stonehenge, a monumental circular setting of large standing stones surrounded by a circular earthwork, was constructed in several phases about eight miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. It was begun as long as 5000 years ago with the outer bank, the ditch, and the Aubrey holes encircling the main construction dating from probably the late Stone Age or early Bronze Age (circa 2000BC). The main structure dates from between the early Bronze Age and the end of the Iron Age. The sarsen - or sandstone - stones date from the about 1500BC (Chippindale 18)."
Abstract The author uses Primo Levi's autobiography, "Survival in Auschwitz," to describe the everyday life of a prisoner in the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz. The author gives a brief biography of Primo Levi, and describes how he ended up at Auschwitz, including his experiences on the train ride from Italy. Some of the issues discussed are the day-to-day activities in the camp, and how Levi actually managed to survive the horror in which he was living.
From the Paper "Yet another element in his survival was his friendship with two Italians, Alberto, a fellow H"ftling, and Lorenzo, an Italian civilian worker at the Buna installation whom Levi met by chance. Levi was assigned to Alfredo's block after a two-week stay in the Ka-Be (sick house.) Levi and Alberto shared rations and supported each other in their quest for survival. Lorenzo's friendship was of even greater importance. Lorenzo became Levi's protector and brought him a piece of bread and what was left of his ration every day for six months. Lorenzo's conduct was atypical of the civilian behavior toward the H"ftlinge in the camp. The civilians saw the degraded and disfigured slaves as deserving of their fate even when they threw them potatoes or bread. Above all, Lorenzo treated Levi as a human being, and it was that treatment which Levi believes kept him alive."
Abstract This paper introduces and discusses Primo Levi's concept of "the drowned and the saved" in chapter nine of "Survival at Auschwitz." Specifically it compares two individuals that are not mentioned in that chapter, as examples of men that Levi might put into those two categories, and what it is about these men that put them in these categories.
From the Paper "Levi's concept of the "drowned and the saved" is simple. He describes those who make it through living in the concentration camp of Auschwitz, and those who do not. The bottom line is, those who make it are the saved, and those who do not are the drowned. There is much more to it than that, and Levi tries to delve into the people themselves, and what made them give up, or not give up, but essentially, the principle is the same, there are saved and drowned individuals in each of the camps. "?the drowned, form the backbone of the camp, an anonymous mass, continually renewed and always identical, of non-men who march and labour in silence, the divine spark dead within them, already too empty to really suffer" (Levi 82)."
From the Paper "Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland is a book that tells the story of the members of German Reserve Police Battalion 101. This battalion, consisting of approximately 500 men, massacred and deported more than 80,000 Jews in and around the Lublin district of Poland. Their participation in the massacres began in July 1942 and ended in November 1943. The book raises several issues surrounding the choice to kill defenseless people: how ordinary German men became mass murderers; how not all of the massacres were committed by members of the SS; and how men voluntary chose to continue their participation in the killing assignments despite opportunities to stop. All the men in Battalion 101 had the option to exempt themselves from the killings on numerous occasions. Ultimately, Browning writes, the Holocaust took place.."
Abstract This paper examines the theories of intentionalism and functionalism in relation to the development and implementation of Hitler's Final Solution. The first theory holds that the Final Solution was the direct result of Hitler's anti-Semitic ideology and his orders to that effect. The second theory of functionalism asserts that the Final Solution developed haphazardly as a result of external pressures. The paper draws upon a wealth of historiographical evidence to support its findings. The writer weighs the merits of both theories and ultimately finds in favor of the theory of intentionalism.
From the Paper "The Holocaust was the deliberate and bureaucratic annihilation of eleven million people, six million of whom were Jews, by Hitler and his Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. The Holocaust was the greatest genocidal attempt ever made and arguably the greatest demonstration of man's inhumanity to man that the world has ever seen. Even now, the Holocaust's legacy of death and destruction strikes fear and sorrow into the hearts of people around the world. Perhaps one of the greatest and most pressing questions of modern civilization is just how and why the horrible atrocities of the Holocaust occurred. There are two modern theories as to the origin of Hitler's Final Solution, the final plan for the extermination of all Jews and other "inferior" peoples. These two theories are known simply as intentionalism and functionalism. The traditional theory of intentionalism holds that there is a clear linear relation between Hitler's anti-Semitic ideology and the Final Solution."
Tags: anti, final, functionalism, genocide, hitler, semitism, solution, germany, nazi
Abstract This paper examines how Khushwant Singh wrote "Train to Pakistan" in 1956 when the painful memories of 1947 Partition were still fresh and the wounds hadn't yet healed. It looks at how the book reflects the true emotions that people felt when they were forced to abandon their homes in both India and Pakistan to move north or south according to their religious beliefs. It analyzes how religion was the biggest cause of this partition and it was what forced people to give up everything they previously had including their old identities.
From the Paper "Muslims knew that if they did not take such a step, they would be forced to become slaves to Hindus majority that was already more educated and hence more suitable for various positions in the government. Muslims had been living a life of complete self-complacency and came to see their position in true light only when last Mughal Emperor was forced to relinquish control of India. All these political reasons were also grounded in religious differences. Muslims and Hindus were two different nations with separate beliefs, different values, different calendars, and hence they felt it was impossible to live together in one land after the British were driven out. Singh writes, "Where on earth except in India would a man's life depend on whether or not his foreskin had been removed?? "
This essay explores the problems associated with the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. It weighs the ethical elements with the scientific purpose of the study to decide whether this was indeed a beneficial experiment or simply a federally funded genocide.
Abstract This essay was designed to explore the moral and ethical implications of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The essay opens with the breaking of the story by the Associated press, and then follows it to its conclusion in 1975. The paper debates the moral and ethical nature with the scientific benefits of the study. Susan M. Reverby's book titled "Tuskegee's Truths: Rethinking the Tuskegee Syphilis Study", is cited many times throughout the essay. While this essay is important for the historical information provided, it also puts the study in it's time, exploring the effects it had on the Civil Rights movement and the future relationship of African Americans with medical society.
From the Paper "The Associated Press brought to light the history and existence of a forty year old study of syphilis in Tuskegee, Alabama. Four hundred men with syphilis and two hundred men without, generally poor and uneducated, all of them African American, had been receiving regular physical examinations, but received no treatment for their syphilis. The story was scandalous and controversial. Close on the heels of the Civil Rights movement and just at the height of the Vietnam War, the expos? of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study shocked the public and ignited waves of suspicion that would hover over Public Health Services and the Federal government like a dense, dark cloud. Central to the outrage was the fact that the Tuskegee Syphilis Study was not being widely covered in media forums. The administrators of the study were countless, the victims were many, and those who had read articles on the study numbered in the thousands."
Tags: african, alabama, american, buxton, county, health, history, macon, medical, penicillin, public, services, study
Abstract This paper reviews "Out of This Furnace" by Thomas Bell, which depicts the process by which a small group of Slovak immigrants are gradually transformed into active participants in a stable American society. The paper uses the social history technique to examine Slovak immigrants in a Pennsylvania mining town.
From the Paper "In the dirty, dangerous cauldron of western Pennsylvania, the uneducated muscle of the eastern Slovak mountains would be transformed into the confident skill of an organizer of men. Through the trials and tribulations of work in and transition to American life overcome by these immigrants, one can observe the forging of a new and more powerful American nation that would be ready to save the entire world from the challenges shortly to come."
