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Buddhism in China, 2008.
An analysis of how and when Buddhism came to China and the obstacles it faced there from the state and Confucian opponents.
1,713 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 8 sources, APA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at how Buddhism came to China and what main problems pertaining to assimilation greeted it once it arrived. Specifically, the paper analyzes when exactly Buddhism made its appearance, what factors in China made it possible for it to establish a toe-hold and what arguments were leveled against it by Confucian opponents. The paper also discusses the role of the Northwestern Purists, as well as what obstacles the state offered.
From the Paper
"Yet, there is still confusion among scholars as to when exactly Buddhism began to eclipse (or at least rival) Confucianism in ancient China. Lewis Hodous seems to place Buddhism's gradual rise during the Han dynasty that extended from the third century BC to the third century AD - which appears to accord with the work of Hawkins insofar as the latter draws the conclusion that 300 AD was right about when Buddhism became pervasive and prominent in China. However, Xinzhong Yao (2000) argues that Buddhism did not really begin to flourish until roughly the end of the fourth century AD - a later date by nearly a century. Ultimately, the imprecision of the dates (and they all do fall within the same general timeframe) can be attributed to the relative scarcity of textual sources and, presumably, to different scholarly preoccupation and emphases. The key point, in any case, is that Buddhism came about because Confucianism's own failings gave it cultural space in which to carve out a niche."
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"William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry", 2008.
An analysis of chivalry and the treatment of women in Georges Duby's "William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry."
954 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the 1984 text by Georges Duby entitled, "William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry." In so doing, the paper reviews two significant themes which emerge time and again in the text: the concept of chivalry (as it pertains to the notions of fealty, honor and loyalty) and the theme of how women (and children) are treated as subordinates.
From the Paper
"As well, the honor of William Marshal manifests itself in how braves extraordinary dangers in combat to prove his righteousness as a knight while still a young man. When accused of infidelity to his king and of adulterous conduct, "He says he is ready to confront the three most valorous champions that can be found, one after the next. If he fails to vanquish all three, he is more than willing that the suspicious husband put him to death by hanging" (Duby, 52). His fealty to his lord is complete (at least in his eyes) and he will not tolerate aspersions cast upon his honor and character. Ultimately, a reified society wherein duty is demanded and obligations honored is preserved and this reification would remain a substantial part of western culture, informing its martial and aristocratic values, for generations to come."
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Racism in the United States and Europe, 2008.
An analysis of racism in the United States and Europe and the legislation that is introduced in an effort to control it.
1,506 words (approx. 6.0 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 49.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the similarities and differences between cultural racism in the United States and Europe. It discusses the strength of racism in both regions and the fact that in many cases it seems to be on the rise. The paper then looks at current efforts to control racism through legislation, but suggests that this will be ineffectual when there is a base cultural support for racisim.
From the Paper
"With such vigilance and fervor against racism, one must ask why it not only persists but seems to be thriving in Europe. In the United States, First Amendment protections allow citizens to organize and talk about nearly anything they'd like, including racist ideology. Combined with tensions over immigration, fear of people of Middle Eastern descent, and a standing racism with African Americans, it is little wonder that the United States not only has a history of racism but also a strong culture of racism. In Europe, however, many believe that legal prohibitions against racism and hate speech should be enough to protect ethnic minorities from racism and create a more egalitarian society. Unfortunately, Europe's record on racism is no better than the United States' (Kudnani, 1998). Tensions over immigration, rising populism, and antagonism toward Jews and Arabs all feed into a healthy subculture of racism. The conclusion we must draw from this is that racism cannot be dealt with on a political or legal level, but must be examined on a cultural level. Racism is rooted in a desire to protect members of one's own culture from outside threats. That this desire to protect manifests as racism is an unfortunate result."
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The Extinction of the Dinosaurs, 2008.
An analysis of whether or not dinosaurs could have become extinct because of the biblical flood.
2,071 words (approx. 8.3 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 65.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the extinction of the dinosaurs and assesses the validity of the arguments put forward by creationists in favor of a biblical explanation for their demise. In particular, the paper discusses whether or not it is plausible to believe that the extinction of the great beasts was occasioned by the flood of the story of Noah's Ark. The paper looks at the biblical time-frame and explores whether or not dinosaurs and humans could possibly have existed contemporaneously. Finally, the paper looks at the plausibility of a great Ark existing and at whether the biblical flood could have ever taken place. The paper concludes that there is just enough evidence available for it to be unwise to dismiss the biblical explanation for the demise of the dinosaurs.
From the Paper
"For one thing, critics of the Ark thesis state that supporters of its existence - such as John Woodmorappe - fail to consider how some creatures ostensibly not on the life-saving vessel (terrestrial snails, to cite one example) could have survived the relentless deluge. Further, critics charge that animals and other living beings which managed to survive the Flood could not possibly have been cared for adequately in any Ark - no matter how big. For instance, those who favor an evolutionary explanation for the earth's past (which necessarily means dismissing biblical accounts of why some creatures persisted into the modern age while others died out) point to the apparent logical improbability of being able to house, feed and sustain thousands of different species in a cramped, confined area; as far the critics are concerned, the example of modern industrial farming simply does not suffice as an explanation for how such an enormous task could have been undertaken (Morton, para.4-5)."
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Literary Symbolism in Novels of Exile, 2008.
A review of the books "A Bend in the River" by V.S. Naipaul and "The Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys.
1,396 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the symbolism behind two distinct novels that deal with issues of exile, political strife and social turmoil - V.S. Naipaul's "A Bend in the River" and "The Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys. The paper explains how both books utilize nature in many ways as an association and correlation to the themes in their respective novels. The paper also looks at how there is a sense of duality in both books, as nature can depict a tide of change in addition to a resistance by a people to maintain tradition and a way of life that is invaded by unnatural intruders. The paper also discusses how the interpretation of literary symbols in classic novels has always been imperative to understanding the full scope of an author's message. Additionally, the paper shows that both Naipual and Rhys utilize nature to formulate strong symbolic meanings and associate them to the domination of European culture and the notion that colonization fragments Africa from its way of life.
From the Paper
"Naipaul's main character Salim in A Bend in the River takes a ritual journey through Africa which is loaded with numerous metaphors and 'coming of age' events. Salim's realization of the neurosis during colonization and the indigenous social conflict is especially realized when he travels outside of Africa. In his education, he encounters a great deal of realities that shape his perception of Westernization and he quickly begins to realize the pending abomination that is to result from Western influence in his homeland. To further indicate this importance, Naipaul utilizes water to paint a picture of stillness and change. This duality extends to the natural resources that surround the river, similar to the journey of Conrad in The Heart of Darkness. The contrast here is not the personal battle against Africa, Salim is more cognizant of his native surroundings and understands the futility and destruction that will be realized with the synthesis of two conflicting ideologies."
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Miguel Leon-Portilla's "Broken Spears", 2007.
This paper reviews Miguel Leon-Portilla's "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico", which presents a history of Mexico.
980 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Leon-Portilla's book "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico" is an excellent illustration of how the naivete of one culture and the rapacity of another usually collide to produce wide-spread tragedy. The author points out that the writer's objectives were to give a voice to the forgotten victims of the conquest of Mexico, which history had denied them, and to present the surviving Aztec accounts of this conquest as being great works of literature, which rival anything found in the western tradition. The paper relates that the significance of Cholula was to undermine the civilizational confidence of all Aztecs who heard about it, to constitute massive loss of native life, to re-affirm the efficacy and might of the Spaniards and to reinforce among the Aztecs the desirability of aligning themselves with the Spaniards rather than joining with their Mexican brethren in opposition to the new arrivals.
From the Paper
"The massacre at Cholula had many negative effects upon the Aztec peoples - leaving aside the obvious loss of life. Most notably, the massacre revealed the penchant of the Aztec peoples of Mexico to conspire against one another by feeding Cortes and his minions half-truths or outright fabrications about a bitter rival; this sort of rumor-mongering on the part of the people of Tlaxcaltecas, suffice it to say, stirred Cortes to march on Cholula, killing all present there. Moreover, the brutal defeat of the Cholultecas was compounded by the fact that their idol Quetzalcoatl had not served them in any way during the battle."
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The Cold War in America, 2008.
A look at the part played by America in the Cold War.
1,534 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the early stages of Cold War America by discussing what image America had of itself just prior to and in the opening act of, the Cold War, as well as why the alliance between the U.S.S.R and the United States collapsed by the end of the 1940s. Further, the paper attempts to explain why the perceptions of the U.S.S.R and the strategy proposals outlined in NSC-68 became linchpins of U.S. foreign policy for the better part of two generations - from 1950 until the U.S.S.R's collapse in the early 1990s. In the end, the final conclusion of the paper is that United States' actions were indeed motivated by (possibly) chauvinistic ambition - but that U.S. fears about the Soviet Union were well-founded in the main.
From the Paper
"The vision of the postwar WWII world offered by journalists and by geo-political observers fundamentally revolved around many things - the expansion and/or projection of American power being one of them. In an interesting essay published in Time magazine in February of 1941, Henry R. Luce argued that America should seek to use its power to serve the Earth as a "Good Samaritan" spreading (American) democracy all around the Globe. In other words, Luce put forward the argument that America should unify the planet under its benevolent leadership in much the same way as it had previously unified much of the North American continent and its various peoples (both Western European and non-Western European) under one flag."
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Vietnam War Literature, 2007.
This paper discuses references to American religious culture in Vietnam War literature using examples from Tim O'Brien, Norman Mailer and Robert Bly.
1,375 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Vietnam War literature positions American religion as being a God-fearing culture that seeks to be moral. The author points out works by Tim O'Brien, Norman Mailer and Robert Bly that refer to this everyday American religion and culture and to myths of American power, politicians and industrialists as being insane and immoral and as changing forever how Americans saw their country. The paper relates that these works project the Vietnam conflict as something in which Americans should never have been involved including describing its soldiers as victims or as people responsible for terrible crimes of war. The author stresses that Vietnam was a working-class war rejected by the American bourgeoisie, who did not need to go to combat. The paper concludes that the literature discussed in the paper is the work of Americans with the option not to go to Vietnam and that it needs to be examined along with other literature produced in the next decades, too.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Damning Literature
Tim O'Brien's "In the Field"
Norman Mailer
Robert Bly Poem: "The Teeth Mother Naked at Last"
Last Remarks
From the Paper
"Norman Mailer's "The Army of the Night" was published in 1968 and is an allegorical description of the March on the Pentagon. The reader is shown the extreme contrast between rather decadent hippies of the anti-Vietnam War movement and the thousands who then fought in Vietnam, ordinary Americans who dealt with every terrible aspect of jungle warfare. The last pages of "A Confrontation by the River" tell of a clash of American popular myths and moral beliefs about America and a "true religious war of Christ against the Communist" in relation to Vietnam towards a "whole crisis of Christianity in America... ""
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Einstein as an Icon, 2008.
This paper discusses why Einstein became a cultural icon in the 20th century.
3,500 words (approx. 14.0 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 98.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that in the late 17th Century, Sir Isaac Newton, one of the greatest geniuses of all time, ushered in the age of enlightenment with his scientific work and methods. As the years went on after that, humanity's hopes were dashed, as it became apparent that human intellect could not compensate for, or prevent, man's inhumanity to man. By the early 20th century, people were witnessing the first great world war, and many must have despaired. However, the writer points out that Albert Einstein, a man whose stature rivaled that of Newton, bought renewed hope in that troubled century. Indeed, Einstein personified the human intelligence and achievement that transformed the earth in the 20th century. In this century, humans went from foot or horse-drawn transportation to cars, trains, airplanes and space flight. People became supermen and superwomen, thanks to the ability of the human brain to make massive technological advances. The writer maintains that of all people in that century - and the competition was certainly strong - Einstein most of all personified human genius.
From the Paper
"Einstein was thus perfectly placed to become the icon of human achievement in the 20th century. On a more negative note, this was also the century when the atomic bomb was invented and deployed - and this meant that humanity discovered it not only had the capacity to perfect the planet, but it also had the capacity to destroy the planet. The atomic bomb was made possible by the Einstein scientific discoveries in the fields of what has come to be known as Newtonian physics. Yet despite Einstein's key role in developing this horrific weapon, and the fact that he has been dead for more than 50 years, he is still remembered by many with reverence and love as a cultural icon, such that his face is almost as familiar as Ronald McDonald's. How can we account for this?"
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"Women in Nazi Germany", 2008.
A review of the book "Women in Nazi Germany" by Jill Stephenson.
1,097 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
The women of Nazi Germany played an important role in the assimilation of fascist ideology. This paper discusses how, while the world outside of Germany perceives the Third Reich in a negative way, Jill Stephenson provides insight on the female role in Nazi Germany in her book "Women in Nazi Germany". It looks at how the book details the inner workings of family life, the benefits of assimilating to Hitler's laws and the role of leadership that women played during Hitler's reign. It also examines how the book demonstrates the power of propaganda, and also depicts a gender defined society that was not perceived as a disparity, but rather empowered men and women to perform their roles for the preservation of national socialism and the Nazi regime.
From the Paper
"The Third Reich championed the traits of the female, noting that the woman was the primary caretaker of children and the holder of developing a strong Nazi population (Stephenson 6). Nazi Germany touted procreation in order to fill up the ranks of the German military and to provide new generations to learn in Hitler-based schooling systems. There was no limitation to birthing, and any form of birth control was illegal. The leaders of Nazi Germany wanted to ensure healthy Aryan children were integrated and educated properly. Unhealthy children were admonished and not considered an integral unit in Nazi society. "
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Germany and England - Naval Arms Race, 2006.
An analysis of the significance of the European naval arms race as a catalyst for World War I.
1,326 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the highly competitive European naval arms race, which acted as military catalyst for World War I. It explains that the significance of building large navies in Germany and in England played a large role in how and why the war was instigated between England and Germany. The paper looks at how by building a massive industrial complex to build a world caliber navy, Germany was essentially able to confront England as a growing super power and how the naval industrial complex also provided the means to build other secondary initiatives to enable a land war, such as guns and other projectiles for the army. The paper also shows that without a navy as a significant axis to fight a war, Germany would never have been able to withstand the might of the British Navy in a major global war.
From the Paper
"The power of the British before 1914 was at its peak due to the imperialist domination throughout the world that England now possessed. The large navy that the British had created was partially due to the isolation that Britain had from the rest of world, which in turn, forced them to seek natural resources overseas. In this economic height of power, England was in a position to help their allies in the important naval campaigns that were becoming more critical in days before the Kaiser ordered the invasion of Bosnia in retaliation to the murder of Archduke Ferdinand. The chain of political issues that are related to this incident reflect the growing sense of allied politics that were to become essential in the creation of total wars."
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Women in 19th Century America, 2008.
The paper discusses how women were treated as second class citizens in America in the latter half of the 19th century.
1,302 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
The paper looks at how, by 1863, women in the US were beginning to influence the economy due in large part to the Civil War and the shortage of male labor. The paper looks at how many men, however, endorsed the societal norm of the time that a woman's rightful place was in the home. The paper describes how women starting their own businesses found it very hard to secure adequate credit to start and expand their businesses. The paper portrays how even resourceful women were relegated by societal norms to the role of glorified housekeeper.
From the Paper
"One has to only look at the Declaration of Sentiments issued at the end of The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 for historical proof that women were treated as second class citizens in America in the latter half of the 19th century.1 If women were in fact treated legally, politically and socially as men's equals, there would have been no convention, no one hundred and fifty plus year feminist movement in America. Women may well have made only limited progress in the subsequent half century in elevating their status, but there is ample evidence that it was not for lack of trying."
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Cuba's Major Modern Historical Periods, 2008.
An analysis of the three major periods in Cuba's modern history - the colonial period, the republic and Castro's revolution.
745 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the modern history of Cuba. It suggests the country's history can be roughly divided into three periods and it discusses each period. It looks at the colonial period, the republic and Castro's revolution. The paper illustrates, through discussion of these periods, the major historical events and trends that have shaped Cuba's modern history.
Table of Contents:
The Colonial Period
The Republic
Castro's Revolution
From the Paper
"Castro's government made significant changes in Cuba. These included reducing the US's influence in Cuba, forging a closer relationship with the Soviet Union, and taking over British and American businesses in Cuba. The results of these actions included severed diplomatic ties with the United States, the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban missile crisis, and poor foreign relations with the much of the West. Castro's government has been committed to socialism and has instituted many social programs for the benefit of the people. But this commitment has come at the cost of oppression of any who might dissent against Castro's government (Stanley, 2000). Since Castro took power in Cuba, relations with the United States in particular have only progressively worsened until the gap between these two nations seems all but irreconcilable."
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James Madison and Rousseau, 2007.
This paper discusses that, in "Federalist 10", James Madison was responding to Jean Jacques Rousseau's republican model of democracy as presented in "On the Social Contract".
955 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, in "Federalist 10", James Madison sought to ensure that the problems identified by Rousseau would be addressed through constitutional checks and balances and a federal system of government. The author points out that, in response to the political model of Thomas Hobbes, Rousseau argued that power is invested in the will of a united people. The paper relates that Rousseau also believed, when the social bond is shattered and special interests aggressively pursue their own agendas while insisting they are acting in the public good, the general will becomes silenced and covert motives guide citizens and groups. The author continues that Madison contended that the republican form of government embodied in the proposed Constitution was conducive to free debate and allowed the various factions certain to emerge to contend with one another and influence the government.
From the Paper
"Madison arguments were based upon his conviction that political ambition would be checked by rival political ambition, for power would be divided among three separate but equal branches of the federal government, and would be further divided between the federal government and state governments. These arguments reflected Madison's belief that, "there are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.""
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The Rise of Brandenburg-Prussia, 2008.
This paper examines the rise to power and prominence of Brandenburg-Prussia in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
3,515 words (approx. 14.1 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 98.95
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Abstract
The paper looks at the broad context within which the elevation of the German-speaking peoples took place. The paper looks at the role the Treaty of Westphalia played in prompting German militarism under the reign of Frederick William I of Brandenburg. The paper explores in detail the policy initiatives and exploits of the three great leaders who turned Brandenburg-Prussia into an aspiring and powerful state: Frederick William I of Brandenburg, Frederick William I of Prussia and Frederick William II of Prussia. The paper argues that all three were driven by a desire to make the country militarily powerful, economically wealthy and with sufficient human resources to allow the fledgling nation to overcome the advantages of its neighbors and rivals.
From the Paper
"In the eighteenth century, the German peoples of Central Europe still lived within what was then the Holy Roman Empire. That is to say, there was still a Habsburg Emperor, there were still electors (albeit only eight after Bavaria and the Palatinate were joined in 1778) and there was still a Diet which met regularly at Ratisbon (Hayes, 342). Nonetheless, a case can be made that the German territories of the eighteenth century were ones in which the Holy Roman Empire became increasingly dispensable in the eyes of the inhabitants. For instance, the ancient Peace of Westphalia dictated that each German state was permitted to freely make war or peace without consulting the emperor - each prince, in fact, was granted sovereign authority (Hayes, 228). Thus, the political bonds which might have previously bound the German areas of continental Europe to the ancient empire of Charlemagne were vastly weakened - if not fatally undermined."
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