From the Paper "The largest of the several countries to experience currency crises related to the "Asian Flu" of 1997-1998, Russia precipitated the collapse of its currency, the ruble, by announcing a moderate devaluation and a ?freeze,? or effective default, on much of its outstanding debt. Ultimately, Russia's currency crisis was caused by a fundamental inconsistency between its domestic policies: Russia could not maintain the ruble at a high fixed exchange rate while running a money-financed budget deficit. The magnitude of the crisis that ultimately occurred was aggravated by the phenomenon of economic contagion. As currency crises struck several Asian emerging economies, international investors increasingly scrutinized their Russian holdings, while their confidence in the Russian government declined. Indeed, Russia stands apart from the other nations that suffered from the Asian economic crisis, because Russia repeatedly suffered economic crises since Russian markets were created in 1992. Declining government revenues provided the shock sufficient to provoke a crisis. "
Abstract This paper explores African-Americans role in the Revolutionary War. It begins with laws that concerned blacks and firearms as early as 1609. It discusses accounts from actual African Americans and their stories. The paper goes through the process of how blacks were eventually allowed to fight.
From the Paper "African-American soldiers were used in the Revolutionary War by both the British and the Americans. It was the British who used them initially, but their example was soon followed by the colonies. It was a slow process on the American side, but all-black units were eventually created. Colonial militias were typically composed of most adult men capable of bearing arms in a community. Originally militias were very inclusive, but as the 17th century neared its end, they became more selective. Indentured servants, free blacks, and slaves were the first to he purged. Virginia led the way among the colonies in excluding blacks from militia service, when the House of Burgesses required in January 1639 that only white Virginians arm themselves. Yet, in a pattern that was to repeat itself into the 18th century, both sides armed slaves and promised them freedom in exchange for military service in 1676 during Bacon's Rebellion. "
Tags: blacks, revolutionary, war, colonial, times, military
Abstract This essay looks at the modern Republic of Turkey and human rights abuses of the Kurdish people and suggest measures the Turkish government should take in order to be eligible to join the EU.
From the Paper ?Since the 1920"s, the Turkish response to expressions of Kurdish identity" whether it was PKK terrorism or any nonviolent actions such as publishing Kurdish newspapers ? has often been excessive, resulting in violations of the most basic human rights. Right after the establishment of modern Turkey, in 1924, Ataturk banned all Kurdish schools, publications, associations and any use of the Kurdish language?.?
Abstract This paper presents an overview of European imperialist policies in Africa, including religious influence, economic change, and social stratification caused by the various European powers who colonized the continent.
From the Paper "During the period of imperialism and colonial expansion of Western power in the late 19th century, vast empires were developed as European governments scrambled frantically for territory. "White" people came to rule millions of "black", "brown" and "yellow" people in Africa and Asia. There were many reasons and many justifications for the expansion, but it is generally accepted that competition for trade, superior military force, nationalism, and a racist belief in European superiority were among the most important."
From the Paper "Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the last of the great Roman Stoics and the so-called Five Good Emperors. His death brought an end to the Pax Romana, a period in ancient Roman history with relative peace and prosperity. In many ways, the Roman Empire reached its climax with the reign of Marcus Aurelius; he was perhaps the closest thing to a true "philosopher king" ever to rule a great nation. His reign from 161-180 C.E. was viewed by later generations as the very ideal of a sovereign head of state (Farquharson 25). His philosophy of life is well depicted in the movie "Gladiator", but his interests in naming an heir do not share the same historical accuracy."
From the Paper "For the past 125 years, historians have contemplated whether the Union's victory during the Civil War was inevitable. The word inevitable means certain to happen, or unavoidable. It is my opinion that no event can be considered inevitable. The North had far more resources than the South and made better use of them, but that doesn?t make for a certain victory. Even with poor leadership and a weak industrial infrastructure, the South could have won the war had luck been on its side. In addition to lack of resources including soldiers and railroads, the South had a plethora of internal conflicts to deal with as well."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the history of professional police forces in Britain, the US, and Australia, starting in the 18th century. Includes an analysis of the how the general population regards police.
From the Paper "The modern day police force is often taken for granted. People assume that the police will always be there whenever needed and probably always have been. A second thought is rarely ever entered into of the origins of the police force. But it was not until the nineteenth century that a police force remotely similar to what we have come to know in the present time emerged. In times of rapid social change and widespread disorder, a force of individuals became necessary to uphold and enforce the public law."
Abstract This paper discusses the problems with the electoral college system of voting and proposes a change in the system which would prevent such aberrations as the 2000 presidential election in America from reoccurring The paper looks at the original intent of the framers of the Constitution and how the system has changed over time, as well as the way it works today.
From the Paper "?One man, one vote" may be a familiar democratic motto, but it hardly applies to American Presidential elections. The Electoral College system makes it possible for a candidate receiving fewer popular votes to triumph and actually win the presidency. It was originally designed to provide protection to less populous states in the union whose tallies in the popular vote would always be proportionally small. To many modern Americans, though, this system, however well intended, seems to have produced some bizarre distortions. The claustrophobically close 2000 Presidential election between Al Gore and George W. Bush has revived the intermittent, long-running dispute over the validity of the Electoral College, refueling the debate about whether or not to maintain it. Valid or not, a change in the way the electoral count is conducted would resolve problems such as the ones which arose in the 2000 presidential election. My own position, which is neither for nor against the Electoral College as such, proposes a change in the system, which can resolve anomalies such as the 2000 presidential election."
Tags: vote, polls, constitution, candidate, congress, government, president
From the Paper "The legal system in Britain is predicated on common law. Common law is a system of laws originated and developed in England and based on court decisions, on the doctrines implicit in those decisions, and on customs and usage rather than on codified laws. In contrast, most European legal systems are based on civil law."
Abstract This paper looks at 1950s history from the perspective of the movie "The Manchurian Candidate". It establishes the underlying themes of the movie: the Cold War, psychological warfare and 'momism' and correlates it to the conditions during those times.
From the Paper ""The Manchurian Candidate" unfolds in the Korean War, 1952. The troop of Major Bennett Marco, including the rigid and unloved Sergeant Raymond Shaw, is betrayed by a Korean guide. Instead of being led to the right direction, they are whisked away over the border into Manchuria and are subjected to three days of brainwashing by communists. Raymond Shaw, the elected Manchurian puppet, becomes "a normally-conditioned American, who has been trained to kill and then to have no memory of having killed. Without memory of his deed, he cannot possibly feel guilt.... now Raymond will remain an outwardly normal, productive, sober, and respected member of the community.... His brain has not only been washed, as they say, it's been dry cleaned" (Filmsite)."
Tags: analysis, brainwashing, candidate, cold, historical, manchurian, monism, movie, war
Abstract This paper shows how the ancient civilizations contributed to the development and advancement of mathematics, a science which could be considered as old as humanity itself. It documents the way mathematics has grown over the centuries thanks to the work and dedication of hard working scientists that have given us the privilege of enjoying the discoveries that they made centuries ago. A description is given of the names and works of mathematicians such as Pythagoras, Democritus, Hippocrates and so many others that promoted the development of mathematics.
From the Paper "The first civilization that used mathematics in an organized way was the Babylonians and the Egyptians. They started to develop this science at the 3rd millennium BC. Their early discoveries were mostly based on arithmetic, measurement and calculation in geometry. The Egyptians used a numerical system similar to that of the Romans. An old Egyptian text, composed about 1800 BC, reveals a decimal numerical system with separate symbols for the successive powers of 10 (1, 10, 100, etc). Addition was done by totaling separately the units- 10s, 100s, and so forth- in the numbers to be added. Multiplication was based on successive doublings, and division was based on the inverse of that process."
Abstract This paper focuses on women who worked during WWII in Great Britain. It covers the different aspects of women in the work force and the history of their involvement with the war.
From the Paper "Throughout history, women have been involved in the complications of War, and have survived the many hardships and adversities associated with a country at war. During WWII, women in Great Britain were compelled to serve their country by engaging in "War Work" activities, and replacing men who were at war in factories and other skilled labor jobs. World War II presented the opportunity for women in Great Britain to mobilize in society by earning higher "male" wages in factories, and acquiring the necessary skills to play an important role in the battle their country faced. Many women faced the dilemma of choosing between their domestic duties, and their desire to actively participate in the war effort."
Abstract This paper looks at women's role in Japan's modern era development. Their presence and influence is shown by looking outside the events of conventional historical record. The powerful political influence of ruling class women in ancient Japanese society is looked at. The Edo period is seen as the era that forced women to be subordinate and the influence of the West the factor which began to open Japanese women to participation in social spheres once more.
From the Paper "Studies of Japan's modern era development emphasize its industry, bureaucracy and military, focusing on the political, merchant and capitalist elite and ignoring those upon whom the major costs of development was imposed, particularly women. Japan's modernization came at a social cost borne by the poor, the disadvantaged and women (Hane, 1982). Although their contribution has typically been marginalized, women contributed significantly to the development process in many ways.
Japanese women had an essential role in the domestic sphere and in the economy, but their influence and contributions did not move them toward sexual and legal equality, as was the case for women in the west. This was primarily due to the social and legal conservative imperatives relegating women to the lowest status of every class strata; however, their presence and influence may be seen by taking a larger, and peripheral, view outside the events of conventional historical record."
Tags: Japanese, subordinate, submissive, society, meiji, edo, buddhist
Abstract This paper details how Marie Antoinette and the affair of the diamond necklace were catalysts to the French Revolution.
From the Paper "Several reasons account for the beginning of the French Revolution. First, France had the largest population in Europe and could not feed it adequately due to crop failure several seasons in a row. Second, the rich and expanding bourgeoisie (working class) was excluded from political power, a position which they met with much resentment. Third, the Philosophers, who advocated social and political reform, were more popular in France than anywhere else. However, the two most significant reason for our purposes involved the country's financial status and the view the common French citizen had of the ruling class."
Abstract This paper looks at the origins of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the historical and current reasons for its existence. Historical and political events involving disputes between England and Ireland are discussed, as well as the activities of the IRA today.
From the Paper "The beautiful island which lies off the coast of Britain, now known as Ireland, has a dark and painful history. Its roots are that of war and dispute. From about 200 BC when the Celts began to arrive in Ireland, up to today, conflict and turmoil have cast their shadow over her green countryside. Out of the rubble of this destruction emerged the Irish Republican Army. Its roots are also that of conflict and destruction going back to the Irish Home Rule movement and the 1916 Rebellion. It has been their sole campaign to liberate Northern Ireland from the rule of the English and up until recently there had been no end in sight. This generation to generation passing of hatred toward the English has led to the imprisonment or death of too many young Irish and English. This is the heritage of hate."
