Abstract This paper provides an in-depth discussion of the Crusades, the military expeditions which Christians undertook from the eleventh to the thirteenth century to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. The author examines how and why Christian soldiers of the middle ages believed that the sole motive was to regain the Holy Land in the name of God, and the roles of key figures such as Richard the Lionheart and numerous church officials.
From the Paper "Many Christians during the middle ages were eager to undertake violent challenges to fight for God's cause. Their opportunity availed itself in the form of the Crusades. The Crusades can be defined as ?any of the military expeditions which Christians undertook from the eleventh to the thirteenth century to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. Between the years 1095 through 1291 Christian popes initiated these military attacks against the Muslim peoples who had taken over the holy city of Jerusalem and other places associated with the earthly life of Christ. There were seven major Crusades and although the Knights of Europe fought them with great passion, they can be considered a failure when one observes that the original goal was to regain the Holy Land ."
Tags: christian, crusade, holy, jerusalem, muslim, pope, war, lionheart
Abstract This paper explains the different policies of the Bush Jr and Clinton administrations in the use of U.S armed forces overseas. Clinton's World Police humanitarianism are compared to Bush's ?power relations and great-power politics.? The paper continues with a discussion on the void created by the downfall of communism and its current lack of purpose, the history of international affairs and the CIA, Bin Laden and Afghanistan and the U.S's role in funding their arms. A similar story is told for Iraq, including U.S violations of the UN charter. Contains segments of policy inconsistencies and future foreign policy.
From the paper:
?Still, even as the Administration puts forth a realist view, they also spout idealist propaganda. This is, in part, to appease the American public in the ideal that the U.S. stands for individual rights, capitalism and the pursuit of happiness. However, the ideal is just that: a concept of perfection in the most general sense. The ideals of democracy and prosperity already exist for Americans; they are not so concerned with the rest of the world.[i] This has not always been the case: the purpose of the 40-some year Cold War was to check the expansion of communism, a purpose that Americans agreed was a necessity. Now that we are the sole remaining super power, Americans are not sure where to go with its privilege. After all, ?lacking purpose, power does not exist.??
This paper traces the history of the development of the study of Sociology and examines the works of its founders , including Marx, Durkheim and Weber.
1,450 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 6 sources, 2001, $ 48.95
Abstract This paper provides a complete overview of the development of the science of sociology. It focuses on three major players - Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber and their influence on the early stages of the science. It shows how they they helped form the basis for the three general perspectives in sociology: conflict theory, functionalism, and interactionism.
From the paper:
"It was Auguste Comte (1789-1857) who coined the term ?sociology.? He believed this new science should study the question of "how is society possible"? (Bartek/Mullin14) He based his own science on the idea that society is composed of individuals in the same way as a line is composed of points. The focus must be on observations of society and the collections of those individuals. Because of Comte's work, other sociologists began to study the changes in society."
Tags: conflict, theory, functionalism, interactionism, development, history
Abstract This essay is a discussion of the reasons the Cold War began. The author describes the intentions of Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Truman and discusses whether the Cold War actually began over Europe or Asia.
From the Paper:
"Throughout the Big Three negotiations during World War II, Franklin Roosevelt was determined to work with the Soviet Union. In order to guarantee Soviet adherence to the principle of unconditional surrender and to secure their participation in the war in the Pacific, Roosevelt, often against Churchill's wishes, worked to accommodate Stalin's desire for security. Hoping to establish a postwar order in which both the US and USSR would not feel threatened, Roosevelt agreed to a buffer zone of friendly states around the Soviet Union."
Abstract This paper examines Realism and Naturalism movement and how Mark Twain, Henry James and Stephen Crane captured the spirit of their times. The author discusses how writers sought to preserve a distinct way of life threatened by industrialization, immigration, the after effects of the Civil War, and the changes in society. The paper focuses on three books, The Adventure's of Huckleberry Finn, Daisy Miller, and The Open Boat.
From the Paper:
"Writing periods have certain characteristics that mark them as unique. Local Color, Realism, and Naturalism are no exception, but they also have one thing in common. Just as a facet of a jewel reflects whatever light it may receive, so too do the works of Mark Twain, Henry James, and Stephen Crane reflect a distinctive aspect of their time period."
Abstract In this paper the author examines the trading routes of the Roman Empire and how changes in them led to the rise of Islam. The author pays particular attention to the development of Islam in Africa and how it remains a great influence in African society even in this modern day.
From the paper:
?Islam offered a number of attractions within Africa. Its fundamental teaching that all Muslims are equal within the community of believers made the acceptance of conquerors and new rulers easier. The Islamic tradition of uniting the powers of the state and religion in the person of the ruler or caliph appealed to some African kings as a way of reinforcing their authority.?
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines Max Weber?s, "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism". The paper goes on to discuss Weber's views concerning bureaucracy and finally examines how capitalism, charisma, and Protestantism affect bureaucracy.
From the paper:
?Although Weber believed that bureaucracy has several advantages, the main one being efficiency in attaining goals, Weber also noted the dysfunctions of bureaucracy in terms of the impact that it had on individuals. For example, while impersonality is important to attaining and maintaining the efficiency of an organization, it is dehumanizing because it views individuals as just another cog in the machine.?
Abstract This paper examines the theory that the Korean conflict was purposely started by Joseph Stalin in order to drive the United States and China apart and to bring Mao Zedong and Communist China under Soviet influence. The author also discusses how the war's origins were primarily domestic, yet global superpowers provided quicker means to escalation.
From the paper:
"On December 16, 1949, Mao Zedong arrived in Moscow to begin discussions with Joseph Stalin. Mao hoped to acquire from the Soviets ships and aircraft to use in his planned invasion of Taiwan. Mao also wanted to renegotiate the treaty previously agreed to by Stalin and the Kuomintang government. Stalin, however, stonewalled Mao, refusing to relinquish the access to Manchuria that the treaty granted him. On December 19, realizing that Stalin was reading his messages, Mao cabled Zhou Enlai in Beijing, informing him that the Chinese Communists should soon attempt to open relations with the United States."
Abstract This paper discusses the idea of whether or not Virgil was a plagiarist of Homer's works. The author provides criteria for evaluation and specific examples from the texts of "The Iliad", "The Odyssey", and "The Aeneid". It also contains critical views cited from other noted authors.
From the Paper:
"When one studies Virgil's "Aeneid" in parallel to Homer's "Odyssey" and "Iliad", similarities will arise. So much so that one would begin to dismiss Virgil as a mere plagiarist, rejecting his talent altogether. Kenneth Quinn, author of the book, "Virgil's Aeneid: A Critical Description", writes, Virgil's characters and situations keep reminding us of Homeric characters and situations. His poem expressly recalls Homer's story and constantly evokes Homer's conventions. It is my opinion, however, that to study the Aeneid a little deeper is to find Virgil unique and quite separate from Homer and his works."
Abstract This paper mainly discusses the idea of Holocaust denial and the people who follow this practice and how they support their ideas with the views of Deborah Lipstadt and her rebuttal.
From the paper:
""Modern Holocaust denial draws inspiration from a variety of sources" (Lipstadt 31). The Holocaust Deniers, or more appropriately called "revisionist" historians, and historians of the traditional school seem to differ greatly in their methodologies as shown when they use the same piece of evidence in two separate manners to come to two completely different conclusions."
Tags: deniers, holocaust, ii, lipstadt, revisionists, war, world
Abstract This paper is a biographical overview of J. Edgar Hoover and his role as director of the FBI. The author details his five decades of reform, power and how he abused it. The paper also examines his controversial personality and lifestyle.
From the paper:
"The life and legacy of J. Edgar Hoover is a subject of countless books, files and theories. Rumors surrounding this man run rampant. He single-handedly created the FBI we know today, but through a scheme of illegal and amoral activities. Hoover was the most effective and powerful director of the FBI, from 1924 to 1972. He created the FBI as a separate and distinct faction of the Department of Justice, and garnered public support for his activities. He fought communism, espionage, foreign sabotage, and organized crime. Ruthless in his ways, cunning in his schemes, Hoover's influence on past and current laws and enforcement goes unchecked and unmatched by any other."
This paper traces the evolution of America's identity using elements of the musical 1776. It concentrates on the Founding Fathers and their drive for freedom and the large role that an American identity played in independence.
960 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 34.95
Abstract This paper uses extensive information about colonial America and discusses the issue of an American identity. Analysis of the film 1776 and Thomas Paine's Common Sense is used to demonstrate the strength of this identity. The thesis is as follows: As the film 1776 clearly demonstrates, during the American Revolution an American identity was stronger than it had ever been.
From the paper:
"Early American colonies were viewed as very individual and indeed in many instances had much closer ties to England than they did with each other. However, ties with England began to fray due to the poor of the colonies by England. Early examples of this were the Navigation Acts of 1660, which regulated commerce and ensured that ?everything went through England.? From this time, an American identity began to form. As tensions between England and the colonies grew stronger other factors arose to further the development of an American identity. "Choice" in shopping and material possessions and the "standardization of consumer behavior" (similar goods being available throughout the colonies ) enhanced unity throughout America. As the film 1776 clearly demonstrates, during the American Revolution an American identity was stronger than it had ever been."
Tags: 1776, american, common, fathers, founding, independance, revolution, sense
Abstract Using historical evidence of cannibalism existence, this paper identifies different forms and practices, and explains the motives for such behaviors.
From the Paper "For millions of years, the majority of humans and their ancestors around the world have eaten meat, derived from a countless number of animals. However, the majority of these people have avoided one particular kind of meat: human flesh. For a human to knowingly eat the flesh of his own kind has been taboo to the most extreme definition of the term. Even the thought of it provokes a deep-rooted, enculturated repulsiveness that is so powerful it has actually prevented modern humans from eating remains of dead people for the sole purpose of survival (Barker, Hulme, and Iversen 1998:37). In other words, they would rather die than eat the meat of another person. The general practice of eating human flesh, anthropophagy, commonly referred to as cannibalism, has always been a subject full of controversy and debate. Hundreds of scientific studies have been published on the subject, but few have focused on the anthropological reasons for its supposed occurrence. In order to understand the true nature of cannibalism, it is necessary to examine it from a number of different perspectives. First, the historical evidence indicating that it took place must be carefully analyzed and interpreted. Second, the different forms of cannibalism must be identified and defined, and examples of their historical presence must be cited. Lastly, the motives of each type need to be explained, detailing the various tendencies of cannibalistic peoples and their practices. Only then will the appropriate significance of cannibalism and its existence become clear."
Abstract This paper examines the conflicting opinions surrounding the Potato Famine that destroyed Ireland's crop in the 1840's. Some issues that are discussed are: who is to blame for the catastrophe, what could have done to prevent it and just how many people were killed in the famine.
From the Paper "In the 1840's, a fungus, Phytophthora infestans but commonly known as the blight, attacked and destroyed most of Ireland's potato crop. That is about the only fact that scholars and citizens alike agree upon. Ever since these events, debates have raged over nearly every aspect of the tragedy. One issue, albeit a small one, is what to call the events of the 40's. The hottest battle, as is so often the case, is over who is to blame. Most theories revolve around the British, and range from claims of incompetence to outright accusations of genocide. More modern views focus on the inefficient system of landownership and rampant overpopulation of Ireland. Beyond culpability, is the question of what could have been done to either avert the tragedy or to lessen the suffering of those involved. Even the actual number of people who died as a result of either starvation or related diseases remains a mystery to this day. Certainly, none of these questions have easy answers; however, it is important to examine conflicting points of view in order to develop a full picture of the "Great Hunger" and the people it has touched."
Abstract This paper is a detailed analysis of the Battle of the Alamo. Attention is paid to the leadership styles of the Texan and Mexican commanders.
From the Paper From the paper:
"The Battle of the Alamo: Analysis of Principles of War and Leadership Tactics
The Battle of the Alamo, often called the most heroic and deadly battle of the Spanish-American Revolution, was prefaced by a series of events that led to the escalation of the Alamo Battle. One such siege, the Siege of Bexar, took place December 1836. Bexar, previously known as San Antonio de Bexar, was under the control of Mexican General Perfecto de Cos with about 1200 soldiers from Mexico. For almost two months, Texas volunteers had camped near the town in a virtual standoff with Cos. The stalemate ended, however, when one of the Texas leaders, Ben Milam returned from a brief absence to find that the Texans were about to withdraw to Goliad."
Tags: bowie, crockett, davy, independence, james, mexico, revolution, texan, texas, travis, war, william
