| Papers [253-264] of 11524 :: [Page 22 of 961] | | Go to page : <— 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 —> | |
|
|
The Greek Civil War, 2008.
A discussion of the Greek Civil War and its devastating effects on the nation, as well as its significance in the international geopolitical realm.
1,550 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper discusses the Greek Civil War which, in one form or another, ravaged Greece from roughly 1942 to 1949. In particular, the paper looks at the human and social toll of the war and also the geopolitical and international dimensions of the conflict as it raged on contemporaneously with the Second World War and then, later, with the early years of the Cold War. In the final analysis, the Greek Civil War exacted a terrible toll upon the people of Greece while, at the same time, made Greece one of the "hot-spots" in a much larger war between the world's two reigning superpowers.
From the Paper
"From a social point-of-view, the Greek Civil War was a tragedy to the people of that land. The war tore apart families, razed villages, literally wiped out some communities, and tore at the fabric binding together Greeks of all political persuasions. More than that, the Greek Civil War, in the years from 1946 to 1949 when the conflict was at its worst - featuring as it did brutal and unrelenting warfare between the communist-controlled Democratic Army of Greece and the British and US-backed Greek National Army - about 80,000 people were killed and approximately 700,000 were forced to flee their homes - all this in a nation of only seven million souls (Clogg, 164). During the final phase of the war, in the late 1940s, Greek citizens residing in Northern Greece - especially along the Albanian and Yugoslavian borders - saw their villages over-run by government forces during the day and by partisans during the night. Furthermore, the Royal Greek Air Force bombed these communities at the same time as inhabitants were forced into the Democratic Army. Needless to say, many of these communities never recovered, with those civilians who survived the bloody warfare escaping to Europe or to North America to find better lives for themselves (Danforth, 174)."
| |
|
Just War Theory, 2008.
A discussion of just war theory as delineated by two main authors on the subject, Michael Walzer and Brian Orend.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 53.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper provides a basic outline of just war theory, drawing from Michael Walzer's book "Just and Unjust Wars" and Brian Orend's book "The Morality of War". Just war theory is used to determine whether or not a war is indeed justifiable. In simplest terms, a war is just if one country imposes moral and physical aggression on another country. The paper uses this theory to examine particular examples from contemporary history, such as the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the war on Iraq and terrorism. In conclusion, the paper maintains that determining whether a war is just or unjust remains complex and controversial.
From the Paper
"Just war theory begins with a theory of aggression and a consideration of the limits of aggression. Such an approach is not surprising to most people today as it might have been in the past. After the War in Vietnam, the issue of the just war has been much argued as political leaders and the press consider every potential military action and whether or not it can be justified as an ethical and moral decision. War as a defensive measure is more clearly an ethical action, for instance, while any sort of pre-emptive war has to be justified. The current war in Iraq was justified by the Bush administration as a pre-emptive act to defend against purported nuclear weapons (or weapons of mass destruction, as they were called), and such a defensive act would make this a just war. The fact that no such weapons were found after the fact raised numerous questions about the justness of the war, questions which the administration continues to gloss over while trying to justify the war on the basis of crimes committed by Saddam Hussein, or because of supposed terrorist ties, or for whatever reason works best. Orend would not accept such shifting territory as a real justification, and certainly Michael Walzer, the best known theorist on the subject, also would not."
| |
|
Women's Suffrage Movement in Canada, 2007.
An analysis of the role of Canadian women in the social reform movement from 1870 to 1921.
2,688 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 80.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper examines the role of Canadian women in the social reform movement during the time period 1870-1921. The paper focuses on the role that Canadian women played in achieving social reform with regard to winning the vote for women. It explains that suffrage is the focus of the paper, because, it is argued, once women had a political voice, other social reforms for women (such as the right to work, or the right to work for equal pay) could more easily follow. The writer then looks at how suffrage may be seen as the fundamental social reform that paved the way for the continuing reform of social conditions, and more especially for the continuing reform of social conditions for women. The writer also strongly asserts that it is also important to see it within the context of what women saw as important aspects of social reform, such as combating problems associated with industrialization and urbanization. The writer notes that while the suffrage movement was impacted by larger historical factors, such as the First World War, ordinary Canadian women played an important role in the fight for votes for women.
From the Paper
"These missionary groupings were the most common alliances in the 1870s and 1880s, but these decades also saw the rise of somewhat more secular organizations, such as The Woman's Christian Temperance Union. These organizations have been described as "testaments to women's growing awareness of social, and particularly urban, problems" (Strong-Boag 89). Women hoped to work within these organizations to rehabilitate the degenerate and the poor - reflecting the common assumption that women were the morally superior sex (Strong-Boag). Indeed, many historians agree that the suffragists justified their fight to penetrate the public sphere by the argument that as women were morally superior, their presence in the public sphere would benefit society, due to the fact that the public sphere would be improved by the influence of what were seen as women's traditional virtues (Bacchi)."
| |
|
Authority and Leadership in Medieval Spain, 2008.
An analysis of the tension between religions in Medieval Spain and the authority and leadership that existed at the time.
3,079 words (approx. 12.3 pages), 14 sources, MLA, $ 90.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper discusses the history of Spain. It focuses on authority and leadership in Medieval Spain, particularly with reference to the three religions that had a large presence there - Islam, Christianity and Judaism. It describes the tensions between the religions and the impact this tension had on the development of the country. The paper analyzes the culmination of the tensions in 1492 with the expulsion of the Jews from Spain by the Christian leaders of the time.
From the Paper
"It is interesting to look at leadership and knowledge in Spain, for it behooves people to see the differences that three religions with same backgrounds can come to. All religions shared the same history, the same patriarchs, and a monotheistic belief system (although Jews and Muslims would disagree that Christians are monotheistic). All religions promoted the pursuit of love and good. All sought to find the image of God in his creation. Yet despite the clarity of the teachings of the Koran, the Bible, and Jesus, two of these religions sought war and destruction, using their faith and their God as a reason to destroy the other. Both acted out of a poor knowledge of their scriptures, and both acted wrongly on the authority of their Deity. This resulted in the Muslim destruction of the Visigoth kingdom and the Christian crusade to eliminate the Moors in Spain. This unfortunate series of events culminated in the Inquisition and death of far too many Jews and Muslims, something that is difficult to excuse or justify."
| |
|
The Vietnam War, 2008.
An analysis of the foreign, military and economic factors that made the Vietnam War a necessity for American policy-makers and working class people.
1,255 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 42.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper looks at why the Vietnam War was necessary - at least to many American policy-makers and to many ordinary Americans in the 1960s. Specifically, it outlines the general sentiments which made many draft-eligible baby-boomers suspicious of the war and how their suspicions were not shared by literally millions of other working-class Americans. Finally, the paper discusses the foreign policy and the military and economic considerations that also made the decision to go into Vietnam so imperative - and kept the war a major priority for US policy-makers even when things began to go sour in the final years of the conflict.
From the Paper
"To close, this paper has looked at the factors which made the war in Vietnam so vital to so many. Not least of all, many Americans in that epoch took pride in the United States' pre-eminent role in beating back the forces of Communism, and many others believed that US institutions would come under increasing fire from outside the nation's borders if the spread of Communism was not stemmed in Southeast Asia. In the end, while it is easy to ridicule some of those decisions now, placing those determinations within the context of their times reveals that US fears were perfectly understandable."
| |
|
Archaeoastronomy, 2007.
This paper discuses archaeoastronomy using sites from Mesoamerica as examples.
1,050 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper explains that archaeoastronomy is the study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world-views of all ancient cultures. The author points out that many of the great monuments and ceremonial constructions of early civilizations, such as the Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt, were astronomically aligned. The paper relates that many of the major structures of Mesoamerica have been found to have an astronomical connection. The author states that the astronomical knowledge of these ancient people from different parts of the world were not connected in any known way yet they undertook some similar approaches to studying the skies and to building monumental structures with astronomical purposes. The paper examines the Mesoamerican sites of the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, the Toltec, the Mayan, the Zapotec and the Aztec civilizations.
From the Paper
"The links between the Olmec and the later Maya are numerous, and some believe that the Olmec may have been Maya speakers. Olmec emerged around 1,500 B.C. and came to dominate most of Mesoamerica. Olmec-style monumental art and architecture developed in the northwestern and southeastern edges of the lowlands. Much of this monumental art shows squat figures topped by rounded hats as a key feature of this art. In the southern lowlands during the Classic period, progressive growth and increasing complexity were the norm."
| |
|
Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-Shek, 2008.
A comparison of the personalities of Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-Shek and a discussion of their relationship with each other.
1,394 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the personalities of Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-Shek. The paper discusses the characteristics and actions of both men and their relationship with each other. After providing examples from their lives, the paper concludes that while their personalities appear to have had some similarities, particularly that both men were resolute, Mao was a far more ruthless and intolerant man.
From the Paper
"On the other hand, the most outstanding aspect of Chiang's personality appears to have been his fixity of purpose. This fixity of purpose played no small part in the fact that Chiang's Kuomintang party became the official government of China in the early 1930's. However, his army was defeated by Mao's army in 1949, clearing the way for Mao to found the PRC. While Mao went on to be dictator of China, Chiang was able to become the dictator of the Republic of China on the island of Taiwan for 26 years. Thus, one thing the two men certainly had in common was that they both came from relatively humble beginnings to eventually be dictators for decades - no mean feat, and certainly a testament to the very strong characters of both of them."
| |
|
Martin Luther King's Leadership, 2008.
This paper discusses the charismatic leadership of Martin Luther King Jr.
1,097 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 38.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper discusses Martin Luther King's belief in freedom for his people, which affected the way he gave many of his speeches and the way he lived his life. The paper shows how his charismatic personality grabbed the attention of his audience and motivated them into making changes.
From the Paper
"Most people when they hear the name, Martin Luther King Jr., they immediately remember his persuasive speech called, "I Have a Dream." Yet, what made people stop and listen to Martin Luther King Jr. a leader that both whites and African Americans would listen to? Yes, he was a civil rights activist, but others stood behind the beliefs of civil rights and did not get the attention that King did. A study of Martin Luther King Jr. will show that he was a charismatic, persuasive leader with spiritual energy that grabbed the attention of his audience and his persuasion led people to make changes."
| |
|
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
»
Click here to show/hide summary
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."
| |
|
"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
»
Click here to show/hide summary
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."
| |
|
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
»
Click here to show/hide summary
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."
| |
|
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
»
Click here to show/hide summary
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)."
|
|
|
