Friday, December 27, 2019

Essay about Effects Aftermath of the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was the first major war American’s had suffered defeat. The Vietnam war was a war of confusion, competition and biasness. The outcome of the war was far greater than an upset American nation, but a severe breakdown of the Vietnamese culture, economy, environment and government. It also had a tremendous impact on American society even up to present day. It was unclear from the beginning of the war if the American’s should even be involved. It was a war between Northern and Southern Vietnam but the U.S saw it as an indirect way to challenge the USSR’s sphere of influence in Southern Asia and to prevent the domino effect and the further spread of communism. The Vietnam War completely changed the way the United States†¦show more content†¦The War not only affected those in Vietnam, but those still at home in America. Americans had split into two groups, known as the hawks and the doves. The hawks were people who supported the war and wanted t he country to be victorious in its fight with Communism. The doves were the people that disagreed with the war. These were traditionally students, and people of the younger generation. Many veterans when they would return home, would join in these mass protests. One popular protest, which took place at Kent State University, resulted in 9 wounded people with 4 dead. The police at Kent State took action against a mass protest by opening fire. This is the evil that is created through war. Without the Vietnam war, there is no protest at Kent State. Without the Vietnam war, the college kid’s lives are spared. Without the Vietnam War, thousands of lives could have been saved. Neil Young said it best in his song Ohio. Ohio discussed the brutality of war but mainly the police brutality against the kids at Kent State. Vietnam was a tragic stain in American history. Vietnam was an entirely new type of war for the United States. It still remains morally and historically problematic in today’s society. The Vietnam War had a tremendous impact on American society and culture, primarily because it was the first war to be televised. The American press played a significantShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at the Vietnam War1343 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that.† I bet you can guess that whoever said this quote was very anti-war. That person is Richard Nixon, thirty-seventh president of the United States. Nixon was the president who ended the war, but which president had beliefs that war was necessary? Thirty-sixth president of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson was the accused main blame for starting the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was probably the most controversialRead More Social Attitudes Toward Vietnam Veterans Essay1562 Words   |  7 PagesToward Vietnam Veterans I have always been interested in the Vietnam War and the results of â€Å"the longest war in America.† Therefore, I have decided to examine the social attitudes toward Vietnam veterans. Since I feel so passionately about the way that Vietnam veterans are viewed, the purpose of my paper is to inform others about the way that the veterans have been criticized and misrepresented. Personally, I hope to gain a further understanding of the attitudes and views towards Vietnam veteransRead MoreThe Vietnam War. In The Vietnam War, Mark Atwood Lawrence854 Words   |  4 PagesThe Vietnam War In The Vietnam War, Mark Atwood Lawrence goes in depth with research from many different sides of the Vietnam war and accounts for the different events that took place during this time and the many elements that led to the war. 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Johnson of Texas and his Republican successor Richard Nixon of California—have repeatedly made their claims about the mission to â€Å"save† the â€Å"independent† nation of South Vietnam against the â€Å"hostile and aggressive† North Vietnamese communist invaders, despite all evidence to the contrary where weRead MoreAgent Orange : A Herbicide / Defoliant Used By The U.s. Military During The Vietnam War1420 Words   |  6 PagesAgent O range was a herbicide/defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War as part of the Herbicidal Warfare Program. Agent Orange was given its nickname due the the barrels it was stored in, marked with a single orange stripe, other herbicides used in southeast asia were given similar nicknames such as Agents Blue, Green, Pink and Purple. Despite the large veritable rainbow of different defoliants, Agent Orange was primarily used during Operation: Ranch Hand [HowStuffWorks Science]Read MoreApush Vietnam War886 Words   |  4 PagesOne foreign affair was known as Vietnam. The Vietnam War was the longest war in the nation’s history. This war, from both abroad and at home, drastically changed the society of America, socially, economically, and politically. It caused for much anti-war sentiment and fueled the counter culture movement, it caused inflation and contributed to the stagflation, and brought down Johnson’s reputation and caused for several changes in legi slation. While the Vietnam War raged on, other movements roseRead MoreThe Nature And Consequences Of Vietnam1576 Words   |  7 PagesThe nature and consequences of US involvement in Vietnam until 1968 are categorically characterised by Economic, Social, political and military linkages with the nation on both flanks of the demilitarised zone on the 17th parallel. The consequences associated, in regards to the United States escalation of involvement in economic, social, political and military relations in both South and North Vietnam, were substantial in the sense that the United States would ultimately shape a volatile politicalRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Time By David Bergen1714 Words   |  7 Pagesdifferent kind of cultural understand than is usually shown within the Vietnam war narrative. Bergen tries to highlight the cultural similarities instead of the cultural differences, where there is a sense of cultural appreciation. During the Vietnam war there has often been a stigmati zation towards the Vietnamese that associates them as the enemy, they are seen as the opposing other. There is often an Eurocentric view of the Vietnam war that tells the story of the white male American solider and very

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Apple s Top Software Products - 874 Words

Apple started off as Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak working out of a garage. They eventually developed the Macintosh, a revolutionary personal computer at the time, and the company skyrocketed. They have become known as one of the world’s most innovative technology companies; consequently, Apple is one of the leading hardware and software manufacturing companies. It is mostly known for its production of personal computers/devices; however, they also manufacture operating software, applications and other technology devices. Apple’s primary products can be broken down into hardware and software products. The company’s top hardware products include: the iPhone, the iPod, the iPad, and the iMac. Each of these personal devices has different prices based on the device, but also the screen resolutions and storage capacities available. Apple’s top software products are iTunes and the iOS App Store. In simpler terms, Apple sells the devices and they also sell what is put on the devices. On December 12, 1980 Apple became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.The ticker symbol of Apple is AAPL. As of October 2nd, it is trading at $109.46 a share. On February 23rd Apple hit its highest price per share at $133 per share and was worth $96.26 way back in October 16th of 2014. If someone bought shares on this day they would have seen a significant increase in the value of their shares. Apple currently does business in 17 different countries, with a total of 461Show MoreRelatedThe Social Responsibility Of Apple Inc.1687 Words   |  7 PagesCompany of Choice: Apple Inc. The Social Responsibility of Apple Inc. By definition, social responsibility is known as the ethical framework and provides suggestions that an organization or an individuals, feels obliged to act so that the benefit is felt across the organization. It is that duty that every individual has of performing so as to ensure proper maintenance of balancing amid the economy and the organizational ecosystems. Apple Inc. has a well outlined social responsibility that works toRead MoreApple Case Study1340 Words   |  6 PagesHistorically, Apple’s competitive advantage has been product differentiation and premium pricing strategy. Apple is known for offering high-end innovative products. Mike Markkula, investor and entrepreneur, was able to attract a lot of venture capital which allowed Apple to place a significant investment into RD in order to create its premium products. Unlike other â€Å"Wintel† firms that manufacture only hardware, Apple controls both hardware and software placing it into a unique position of providingRead MoreApple s Mission Statement For Apple1332 Words   |  6 Pagescompany that I have chosen is apple. Apple was established in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Apple is one of the leading innovators in technology that designs and markets electronics, computer software, and personal computers. Apple products are one of the most dependable devices out there. Apple is an American company. The company s best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes the Mac OS X operatingRead MoreApple Inc. Report Analysis Essay1559 Words   |  7 PagesApple Inc. Report INTRODUCTION Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology business headquartered in Cupertino, California, established by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976, to sketch, fabricate, and sell consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is the world s second-largest information technology company after Samsung electronics, the world s largest technology company by total assets. On November 25, 2014, Apple became the first URead MoreCase Study : Management People Organization1294 Words   |  6 Pagesorganizations. Apple Inc. is one of world’s large company. It is founded by Steve Job, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Wozniak in the year of 1976. Apple Inc. is a software and hardware company. Moreover, Apple Inc. has innovative marketing strategies. Means creating new software and hardware of its products series - iPhone, iPod, computer, iMac, iTune. Apple Inc. always try to give new technology to their consumers. Along with it, all the product o f Apple Inc. are very expensive, but due to its product qualitiesRead MoreSwot Analysis for Mi1333 Words   |  6 Pagescorporation operating through regional subsidiaries to minimize cultural differences in more than 60 countries      Relatively rapid product development processes that allow for timely updating and release of new products      Revenues and profits rising at 30% a year with merger/acquisition or investment in 92 companies in a span of five years.      Software products have high name recognition, broad-based corporate and consumer acceptance (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and numerous powerful featuresRead MoreAnalysis Of Bill Gates And Steve Jobs907 Words   |  4 Pagesfounded Microsoft and Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple. Bill Gates was one of the original pioneers of software, Job’s the pioneer of personal and handheld computers. Bill Gates is the founders and primary shareholder of Microsoft, which has become the world’s leading software manufacture. â€Å"The complex relationship between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs began in the late 1970s, when Microsoft was making most of its money writing software for the Apple II. When Jobs began developing the original MacintoshRead MoreApple Inc. Company s Brand Value990 Words   |  4 PagesApple Inc. was incorporated on April 1, 1976 with its founder Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniac. Apple Inc. is an American multibillion company and it is also the world’s top company that is well known for its high quality electronics and software products. The company is best known for their product line of computers such as MacBook Pro, Mac Book Air and many more. Other products from Apple include iPhone, iPad, iPod and other hardware and software products. Apple Inc. was incorporated on April 1, 1976Read MoreApple Case Study1088 Words   |  5 PagesPlease divide Appl e s history into periods and trace the changes in business models that took place over these periods. Apple history is explained in the case history from 1972 – 2006. Apples history is described below, reflecting on the changes in Business Model (how the company generated revenue). The Beginning years, 1976 – 1985: Apple was founded in 1976 and they built a computer circuit board named the Apple I. Within span of 4 years they went to IPO with the help of Venture capitalistRead MoreInternship Opportunities At Alcorn State University Essay1085 Words   |  5 Pagesperson(employee or student) gains a work experience. This idea has helped in bringing out many new ideas from each and every corner of the world. Apple.Inc has been considered as a world s best opportunity provider according to many researches. This created a interest in me to choose this company. As Apple is considered as a top-most company in the world, its selection procedure for the internship is a little difficult when compared to other companies. This selection process may include online interview

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

National Economy Essay Example For Students

National Economy Essay National EconomyThe U.S. economy has been slowly growing since the spring of 1991, growth increased in 1997 when real gross domestic product rose 3.9 percent from an increase of 2.8 percent in 1996. At the same time inflation in 1997 fell to 2.3 percent decreasing the cost of living. Payroll jobs rose from 121.14 million in January to 124.29 million in December and the national unemployment rate declined over the year by .7%. This combination of events was good news for the businesses and the general public because it increased wealth and lowered prices. On July 2,1997 Thailand started a crisis in Asia which effected U.S. exports to the region. U.S. exports to Asia represent 30% of total exports but were cut in half to 13.4% in 1997. The interest declines offset some of the drag on the American economy from the reduced exports by concentration on construction and real estate. Asia crisis was a threat to the U.S. economy but a strong dollar and the reduced commodity demand helped to k eep the low inflation period. In 1998 the economy experienced further acceleration growth, unemployment decreased faster to lows not seen in 20 years and the price index stayed the same. Falling interest rates and oil prices encouraged consumers. Economists still kept a close eye on the unfolding events in Asia. In 1999 U.S. economy will slow due to weak markets around the world consumer spending will decrease and businesses will slow down their investing. Although inflation has not changed the decline in oil prices and the rising dollar will fade. Nations GDP is excepted to slow growth near 2% and the world economy possibly will stabilize. Oregons EconomyJust like the rest of the county Oregon has been booming since early 90s but came to a moderate pace in 1997. Oregon only experienced dramatic declines in lumber and wood products production and employment. In 1997 turmoil in Asia started which brought concern to the state due to its great exports to that region. Nike experienced l ost sales in Asia and laid of workers in Oregon. Other big companies like Intel, Mitsubishi Silicon, Hewlett Packard, Tektronix, and Sequent saw weakened sales and reduced employment. The number of people moving to Oregon declined and request for residential construction permits were down 2.9%. Oregons overall tax burden has declined with capped property taxes and rapid increases in personal income. In1999 economy will continue to grow but increments will diminish. Employment growth in 1998 was 2.4% and will fall in 1999 to 1.5%. Oregon and the Western RegionOregon along with Idaho and Utah experienced a decline in the total amount of people coming to their state. In the region all states saw job gains that were above the national average. Nevada, Idaho, California, Washington saw the fastest growth while Oregon and Utah eased. Employment in services the region did better when the nation except in Nevada, Utah and Oregon which slowed down from 1996. Only mining, military, and agricultural sectors saw earnings growth below the national figures in Oregon. Dividends, interest, and rental income rose above the national average of 4.3% in all the states while transfer payments rose more slowly than the nation in Oregon, Washington, and California. Residential permits declined in Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Idaho but increased by 15.3 % in the Northern 34 and 4 % increase in Washington. The Asian crisis has not effected other states in the region as much as Oregon thats why it is experiencing some economy growth diff iculties. Economics

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Middle Ages And The Renaissance Essays - Philosophy, Culture

Middle Ages and The Renaissance Middle Ages and The Renaissance In many eras, events happened as a reaction, and often an overreaction, to events of the prior era. In the Middle Ages, a proper education was extremely rare for the common people. As a reaction to the Middle Ages, in the early renaissance, there was a strong focus on a classical education consisting of Greek, Latin, the classics, and art. As the population and economy grew and books became more readily available, people became disillusioned with the impractical classical education, demanding an education leading to practical professions. In the early renaissance, emphasis was redirected from clerical to secular life. The secular humanist idea held that the church should not rule civic matters, but should guide only spiritual matters. The church disdained the accumulation of wealth and worldly goods, supported a strong but limited education, and believed that moral and ethical behavior was dictated by scripture. Humanists, however, believed that wealth enabled them to do fine, noble deeds, that good citizens needed a good, well-rounded education, and that moral and ethical issues were related more to secular society than to spiritual concerns. Humanists paid close attention to classical studies because most of the humanist philosophy was based on Greek and Roman ideas. In addition to the study of Latin and Greek, a classical education consisted of scientific matters, government, rhetoric, philosophy and art. In the Middle Ages, the church discouraged education to keep people under the control of the church. People were guided by the teachings of the church and had little opinion to what was being told to them. Books were also very costly and were mostly written in Latin, an unfamiliar language to the common people. People were taught Greek and Latin so that they could understand the books available to them. In 1445, Gutenberg invented the printing press, making books more plentiful and therefore affordable for the educated middle class. They also began printing books in European languages. By the late stages of the renaissance, the population started to rise dramatically and the economy started to boom. With a larger population, more merchants and tradesman and other people with practical skills were needed. With books more readily available, people demanded books in the many languages of Europe. As a result, the concentration in education focused on local languages, practical mathematics, science and trades. Although the renaissance reversed the practices of medieval times by restoring education in the classics and gave rebirth to independent thought, the masses demanded a redirection of education to practical and useful skills. The focus on humanism forced the Church to play a secondary role in peoples' lives. Despite the changes in education and philosophy during the renaissance, Europe eventually molded itself into a well-rounded society.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

A Biography of Richard the Lionheart

A Biography of Richard the Lionheart Richard the Lionheart was born on September 8, 1157, in Oxford, England. He was generally considered to be his mothers favorite son, and has been described as spoiled and vain because of it. Richard was also known to let his temper get the better of him. Nevertheless, he could be shrewd in matters of politics and was famously skilled on the battlefield. He was also highly cultured and well-educated, and wrote poems and songs. Through most of his life he enjoyed the support and affection of his people, and for centuries after his death, Richard the Lionheart was one of the most popular kings in English history. Early Years Richard the Lionheart was the third son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and although his eldest brother died young, the next in line, Henry, was named heir. Thus, Richard grew up with little realistic expectations of achieving the English throne. In any case, he was more interested in the familys French holdings than he was in England; he spoke little English, and he was made duke of the lands his mother had brought to her marriage when he was quite young: Aquitaine in 1168, and Poitiers three years later. In 1169, King Henry and King Louis VII of France agreed that Richard should be wed to Louiss daughter Alice. This engagement was to last for some time, although Richard never showed any interest in her; Alice was sent from her home to live with the court in England, while Richard stayed with his holdings in France. Brought up among the people he was to govern, Richard soon learned how to deal with the aristocracy. But his relationship with his father had some serious problems. In 1173, encouraged by his mother, Richard joined his brothers Henry and Geoffrey in rebelling against the king. The rebellion ultimately failied, Eleanor was imprisoned, and Richard found it necessary to submit to his father and receive a pardon for his transgressions. From Duke to King Richard In the early 1180s, Richard faced baronial revolts in his own lands. He displayed considerable military skill and earned a reputation for courage (the quality that led to his nickname of Richard the Lionheart), but he dealt so harshly with the rebels that they called on his brothers to help drive him from Aquitaine. Now his father interceded on his behalf, fearing the fragmentation of the empire he had built (the Angevin Empire, after Henrys lands of Anjou). However, no sooner had King Henry gathered his continental armies together than the younger Henry unexpectedly died, and the rebellion crumpled. As the oldest surviving son, Richard the Lionheart was now heir to England, Normandy, and Anjou. In light of his extensive holdings, his father wanted him to cede Aquitaine to his brother John, who had never had any territory to govern and was known as Lackland. But Richard had a deep attachment to the duchy. Rather than give it up, he turned to the king of France, Louiss son Philip II, with whom Richard had developed a firm political and personal friendship. In November of 1188 Richard paid homage to Philip for all his holdings in France, then joined forces with him to drive his father into submission. They forced Henry- who had indicated a willingness to name John his heir- to acknowledge Richard as heir to the English throne before he died in July 1189. The Crusader King Richard the Lionheart had become King of England; but his heart wasnt in the sceptred isle. Ever since Saladin had captured Jerusalem in 1187, Richards greatest ambition was to go to the Holy Land and take it back. His father had agreed to engage in the Crusades along with Philip, and a Saladin Tithe had been levied in England and France to raise funds for the endeavor. Now Richard took full advantage of the Saladin Tithe and the military apparatus that had been formed; he drew heavily from the royal treasury and sold anything that might bring him funds- offices, castles, lands, towns, lordships. In less than a year after his accession to the throne, Richard the Lionheart raised a substantial fleet and an impressive army to take on Crusade. Philip and Richard agreed to go to the Holy Land together, but not all was well between them. The French king wanted some of the lands that Henry had held, and that were now in Richards hands, which he believed rightfully belonged to France. Richard was not about to relinquish any of his holdings; in fact, he shored up the defenses of these lands and prepared for conflict. But neither king really wanted war with each other, especially with a Crusade awaiting their attention. In fact, the crusading spirit was strong in Europe at this time. Although there were always nobles who wouldnt put up a farthing for the effort, the vast majority of the European nobility were devout believers of the virtue and necessity of Crusade. Most of those who didnt take up arms themselves still supported the Crusading movement any way that they could. And right now, both Richard and Philip were being shown up by the septuagenarian German emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, who had already pulled together an army and set off for the Holy Land. In the face of public opinion, continuing their quarrel was not really feasible for either of the kings, but especially not for Philip, since Richard the Lionheart had worked so hard to fund his part in the Crusade. The French king chose to accept the promises that Richard made, probably against his better judgment. Among these pledges was Richards agreement to marry Philips sister Alice, who still languished in England, even though it appeared he had been negotiating for the hand of Berengaria of Navarre. Alliance with the King of Sicily In July of 1190 the Crusaders set off. They stopped at Messina, Sicily, in part because it served as an excellent point of departure from Europe to the Holy Land, but also because Richard had business with King Tancred. The new monarch had refused to hand over the bequest the late king had left to Richards father, and was witholding the dower owed to his predecessors widow and keeping her in close confinement. This was of special concern to Richard the Lionheart, because the widow was his favorite sister, Joan. To complicate matters, the Crusaders were clashing with the citizens of Messina. Richard resolved these problems in a matter of days. He demanded (and got) Joans release, but when her dower was not forthcoming he began taking control of strategic fortifications. When the unrest between the Crusaders and the townfolk flared into a riot, he personally quelled it with his own troops. Before Tancred knew it, Richard had taken hostages to secure the peace and begun constructing a wooden castle overlooking the city. Tancred was forced to make concessions to Richard the Lionheart or risk losing his throne. The agreement between Richard the Lionheart and Tancred ultimately benefited the king of Sicily, for it included an alliance against Tancreds rival, the new German emperor, Henry VI. Philip, on the other hand, was unwilling to jeopardize his friendship with Henry and was irritated at Richards virtual takeover of the island. He was mollified somewhat when Richard agreed to share the monies Tancred paid, but he soon had cause for further irritation. Richards mother Eleanor arrived in Sicily with her sons bride, and it was not Philips sister. Alice had been passed over in favor of Berengaria of Navarre, and Philip wasnt in either a financial or military position to address the insult. His relationship with Richard the Lionheart further deteriorated, and they would never recover their original affability. Richard couldnt marry Berengaria quite yet, because it was Lent; but now that shed arrived in Sicily he was ready to leave the island where he had tarried for several months. In April of 1191 he set sail for the Holy Land with his sister and fiancà © in a massive fleet of over 200 vessels. Invasion of Cyprus and Marriage Three days out of Messina, Richard the Lionheart and his fleet ran into a terrible storm. When it was over, about 25 ships were missing, including the one carrying Berengaria and Joan. In fact the missing ships had been blown further on, and three of them (though not the one Richards family were on) had been driven aground in Cyprus. Some of the crews and passengers had drowned; the ships had been plundered and the survivors were imprisoned. All of this had occurred under the governance of Isaac Ducas Comnenus, the Greek tyrant of Cyprus, who had at one point entered into an agreement with Saladin to protect the government hed set up in opposition to the ruling Angelus family of Constantinople. After having rendezvoused with Berengaria and secured her and Joans safety, Richard demanded restoration of the plundered goods and the release of those prisoners who hadnt already escaped. Isaac refused, rudely it was said, apparently confident in Richards disadvantage. To Isaacs chagrin, Richard the Lionheart successfully invaded the island, then attacked against the odds, and won. The Cypriots surrendered, Isaac submitted, and Richard took possession of Cyprus for England. This was of great strategic value, since Cyprus would prove to be an important part of the supply line of goods and troops from Europe to the Holy Land. Before Richard the Lionheart left Cyprus, he married Berengaria of Navarre on May 12, 1191. A Truce  in the Holy Land Richards first success in the Holy Land, after having sunk an enormous supply ship encountered on the way, was the capture of Acre. The city had been under siege by Crusaders for two years, and the work Philip had done upon his arrival to mine and sap the walls contributed to its fall. However, Richard not only brought an overwhelming force, he spent considerable time examining the situation and planning his attack before he even got there. It was almost inevitable that Acre should fall to Richard the Lionheart, and indeed, the city surrendered mere weeks after the king arrived. Shortly afterward, Philip returned to France. His departure was not without rancor, and Richard was probably glad to see him go. Although Richard the Lionheart scored a surprising and masterful victory at Arsuf, he was unable to press his advantage. Saladin had decided to destroy Ascalon, a logical fortification for Richard to capture. Taking and rebuilding Ascalon in order to more securely establish a supply line made good strategic sense, but few of his followers were interested in anything but moving on to Jerusalem. And fewer still were willing to stay on once, theroretically, Jerusalem was captured. Matters were complicated by quarrels among the various contingents and Richards own high-handed style of diplomacy. After considerable political wrangling, Richard came to the unavoidable conclusion that the conquest of Jerusalem would be far too difficult with the lack of military strategy hed encountered from his allies; furthermore, it would be virtually impossible to keep the Holy City should by some miracle he manage to take it. He negotiated a truce with  Saladin  that allowed the Crusaders to keep Acre and a strip of coast that gave Christian pilgrims access to sites of sacred significance, then headed back to Europe. Captive in Vienna The tension had grown so bad between the kings of England and France that Richard chose to go home by way of the Adriatic Sea in order to avoid Philips territory. Once again the weather played a part: a storm swept Richards ship ashore near Venice. Although he disguised himself to avoid the notice of Duke Leopold of Austria, with whom he had clashed after his victory at Acre, he was discovered in Vienna and imprisoned in the Dukes castle at Dà ¼rnstein, on the Danube. Leopold handed Richard the Lionheart over to the German emperor, Henry VI, who was no more fond of him than Leopold, thanks to Richards actions in Sicily. Henry kept Richard at various imperial castles as events unfolded and he gauged his next step. Legend has it that a minstrel called Blondel went from castle to castle in Germany seeking Richard, singing a song he had composed with the king. When Richard heard the song from within his prison walls, he sang a verse known only to himself and Blondel, and the minstrel knew he had found the Lionheart. However, the story is just a story. Henry had no reason to hide Richards whereabouts; in fact, it suited his purposes to let everyone know that he had captured one of the most powerful men in Christendom. The story cannot be traced back any earlier than the 13th century, and Blondel probably never even existed, although it made for good press for minstrels of the day. Henry threatened to turn Richard the Lionheart over to Philip unless he paid 150,000 marks and surrendered his kingdom, which he would receive back from the emperor as a fief. Richard agreed, and one of the most remarkable fund-raising efforts began.  John  was not eager to help his brother come home, but  Eleanor  did everything in her power to see her favorite son return safely. The people of England were heavily taxed, Churches were forced to give up valuables, monasteries were made to turn over a seasons wool harvest. In less than a year nearly all of the exhorbitant ransom had been raised. Richard was released in February, 1194, and hurried back to England, where he was crowned again to demonstrate that he was still in charge of an independent kingdom. The Death of Richard the Lionheart Almost immediately after his coronation, Richard the Lionheart left England for what would be the last time. He headed directly to France to engage in warfare with Philip, who had captured some of Richards lands. These skirmishes, which were occasionally interrupted by truces, lasted for the next five years. By March of 1199, Richard was involved in a siege of the castle at Chalus-Chabrol, which belonged to the Viscount of Limoges. There was some rumor of a treasure having been found on his lands, and Richard was reputed to have demanded the treasure be turned over to him; when it was not, he supposedly attacked. However, this is little more than a rumor; it was enough that the viscount had allied with Philip for Richard to move against him. On the evening of March 26, Richard was shot in the arm by a crossbow bolt while observing the progress of the siege. Although the bolt was removed and the wound was treated, infection set in, and Richard fell ill. He kept to his tent and limited visitors to keep the news from getting out, but he knew what was happening. Richard the Lionheart died on April 6, 1199. Richard was buried according to his instructions. Crowned and clothed in royal regalia, his body was entombed at Fontevraud, at the feet of his father; his heart was buried at Rouen, with his brother Henry; and his brain and entrails went to an abbey at Charroux, on the border of Poitous and Limousin. Even before he was laid to rest, rumors and legends sprang up that would follow Richard the Lionheart into history. Understanding the Real Richard Over the centuries, the view of Richard the Lionheart held by historians has undergone some notable changes. Once considered one of Englands greatest kings by virtue of his deeds in the Holy Land and his chivalrous reputation, in recent years Richard has been criticized for his absence from his kingdom and his incessant engagement in warfare. This change is more a reflection of modern sensibilities than it is of any new evidence uncovered about the man. Richard spent little time in England, it is true; but his English subjects admired his efforts in the east and his warrior ethic. He didnt speak much, if any, English; but then, neither had any monarch of England since the Norman Conquest. Its also important to remember that Richard was more than the king of England; he had lands in France and political interests elsewhere in Europe. His actions reflected these diverse interests, and, though he didnt always succeed, he usually attempted to do what was best for all his concerns, not just England. He did what he could to leave the country in good hands, and while things sometimes went awry, for the most part, England flourished during his reign. There remain some things we dont know about Richard the Lionheart, beginning with what he really looked like. The popular description of him as elegantly built, with long, supple, straight limbs and hair a color between red and gold, was first written nearly twenty years after Richards death, when the late king had already been lionized. The only contemporary description that exists indicates that he was taller than average. Because he displayed such prowess with the sword, he could have been muscular, but by the time of his death he may have put on weight, since the removal of the crossbow bolt was reportedly complicated by fat. Then theres the question of Richards sexuality. This complex issue boils down to one salient point: there is no  irrefutable  proof to support or contradict the assertion that Richard was a homosexual. Each piece of evidence can be, and has been, interpreted in more than one way, so every scholar can feel free to draw whatever conclusion suits him. Whichever Richards preference was, it apparently had no bearing on his ability as a military leader or a king. There are some things we  do  know about Richard. He was very fond of music, though he never played an instrument himself, and he wrote songs as well as poems. He reportedly displayed a quick wit and a playful sense of humor. He saw the value of tournaments as preparation for war, and although he rarely participated himself, he designated five sites in England as official tournament locations, and appointed a director of tournaments and a collector of fees. This was in opposition to numerous decrees of the Church; but Richard was a devout Christian, and diligently attended mass, evidently enjoying it. Richard made many enemies, especially through his actions in the Holy Land, where he insulted and quarreled with his allies even more than his foes. Yet he apparently had a great deal of personal charisma, and could inspire intense loyalty. Though renowned for his chivalry, as a man of his times he did not extend that chivalry to the lower classes; but he was at ease with his servants and followers. Although he was talented at acquiring funds and valuables, in keeping with the tenets of chivalry he was also notably generous. He could be hot-tempered, arrogant, self-centered and impatient, but there are many stories of his kindness, insight and goodheartedness. In the final analysis, Richards reputation as an extraordinary general endures, and his stature as an international figure stands tall. While he cannot measure up to the heroic character early admirers depicted him as, few people could. Once we view Richard as a real person, with real foibles and quirks, real strengths and weaknesses, he may be less admirable, but he is more complex, more human, and much more interesting.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Brooklyn Philharmonic Concert essays

Brooklyn Philharmonic Concert essays Prior to taking the course and attending the concert I did not have any substantial interactions with classical music. At certain moments in my life, Ive heard music playing on the radio or TV, but obviously hearing and listening are two different things. Once or twice I liked what I heard, but did not really hear the music with the sort of enjoyment that comes only when you are perceptively listening to it. The real appreciation of classical compositions emerged through this class. In the beginning I paid attention only because I had to understand what Professor Cox was talking about, yet later, I began listening just because I liked what I heard. An opportunity to really appreciate classical music came from a project to attend a concert or a performance. Since we were free to pick anything that pleased our ears, I had many options and puzzling dilemmas. Should I pick an opera, a quartet, or better yet a ballet performance? The amount of choices was enormous, but I made my choice anyway. The winner was the concert in Prospect Park, performed by Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, which was sponsored by Celebrate Brooklyn. The performance took place on July 27th, at 7:30 pm. The orchestra itself was located in the Band Shell. I convinced a couple of my friends to attend the concert and enjoy with me the music that was played that night. The ride there was full of excitement and expectations. I took Professors advise and talked them into going there three hours earlier. Of course by the time we found our way to the Band Shell, getting lost couple of times and walking in the opposite directions for a whole hour, we got there almost on time twenty minutes before the start. To my biggest surprise the entrance was $3.00, even though it clear ly stated, the concert is free. It was not the amount of money that might have caused me many problems but the fact that I didnt have any on me, or so I thought! Se...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Smart working. The impact of work organisation and job design Essay

Smart working. The impact of work organisation and job design - Essay Example It is claimed that the most significant resource of any business is the people it employs, its manpower or workforce. As the world adopts technology at a faster rate with more sophisticated applications and as products tend towards greater similarity there is a growing awareness that a business may differentiate itself by creating a quality, focused and well-motivated workforce. In addition, the world labor market is become more flexible with greater mobility for well-qualified staff to move between major business centers. It is therefore of greater significance than ever before to keep good staff and to continue to attract the best recruits possible. Due to the importance of the people of the company it is equally important and difficult for the managers to manage these people. With the passage of time, the world of work and the workers in it are becoming more and more competitive and aggressive about their success at work. The advent of globalization has demolished the economic barriers that once existed and has opened doors to markets that were once thought to be too out of reach to cater. The change in the attitude towards workforce management has been great and fundamental since the early years of the twentieth century and the introduction of mass production. There are still firms and factories that 'hire and fire' workers on an almost daily basis and offer no training and staff development at all. However, these are now the exception rather than the rule. Modern Human Resource Management has been developed not just in response to the legal constraints on how workers are treated but also as a recognition that a truly successful and competitive business depends on the support and co-ordination of a well trained and suitably motivated team of staff.