Circle of Gold Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Earthly things can be very expensive, but love from a family is priceless, it is expressed in the following passage. By the end of the last hundred pages I’ve read (103-201) in Candy Dawson Boyd’s Circle of Gold, Mattie finally realizes this, as does the readers. Mattie gives her mom a golden pin for mother’s day, which she goes by any means to get, just to bring her family back together. Mattie was a smart â€Å"A† student from Brooklyn, New York. Her only brother and twin brother Matthew is an artist that likes to draw and paint. She lives with her mom and brother, she used to live with her dad but he is deceased. One day, on his way from work some drunk drives hit his car and killed him. That day changed their lives forever. When her father left them, he took a part of everybody with him. Mattie and Mathew were only eleven years old when a lost their father, what a horrible loss, and at such a time that you understand how those things work, and you have feelings, one of the many prime times in your life that you need a father. As a result of this great loss, their family became dysfunctional, nobody cleans the house, her mother is never there because she leaves to work early, and comes home really late, and the kids have to make their own dinner. When her father left the family couldn’t take it, they just fell apart, now her mother is always angry and never smiles. It is unusual to me how all this corruption can be caused by 1 man alone, I mean ...

Renaissance Patronage

Renaissance Patronage This paper explores different motivations for art patronage throughout the Renaissance. Art in the renaissance was often commissioned by a patron who wanted to use it as a way to communicate something to the intended viewer. Art was usually commissioned for religious and political reasons or used as proof of wealth or power. The corruption of the church allowed for wealthy patrons to make a donation in order to buy his or her way into heaven. This is called a sale of indulgence, and it is the motivation behind countless works of renaissance art.The entire Arena Chapel painted by the artist Giotto was commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni to atone for his sin of usury. The Chapel was completed 1305 and is located in Padua, Italy. As was a common practice at the time, Enrico himself is depicted in on the wall of the chapel. â€Å"On the wall of The Last Judgment, Enrico kneels to offer a model of his church to three figures. It is commonly accepted that Enrico saw his church and its paintings as a votive gift made as a partial atonement for his father’s mortal sin of usury and to strengthen his own hope of salvation. By having his image painted into the scene, Enrico assures that his intended audience knows it was his money that paid for the art. This is both politically and religiously motivated. Masaccio’s Pisa Altarpiece commissioned in 1426 Pisa is another example of religiously motivated art patronage. This altarpiece was commissioned by â€Å"Ser Giuliano di Colino di Pietro degli Scarsi and the Carmelite church of S. Maria del Carmine† The intention behind this altarpiece was simply to give churchgoers a piece of relevant art to view during church and to attract more members.An example of politically motivated art can be found in Sienna’s Palazzo Pubblico. Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti was commissioned by the Sienese government. The frescos of Allegory span the walls of the building depicting life in the city under good government versus bad government. The intended audience for this commission was the citizens of Siena. The paintings were propaganda meant to show the viewers how successful and prosperous the city was under the current leadership of the Council of the Nine. Another politically motivated piece is the well known portrait by Jan Van Eyck, Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife.This portrait was commissioned in 1434 by Giovanni Arnolfini and is meant to be a physical documentation or witness to him giving his wife leave to conduct household affairs in his absence. This portrait would have been displayed in the Arnolfini household to be seen by visitors and servants and served as proof that Giovanna was in charge of Giovanni’s affairs while he was traveling. Tres Riches Heures by the Limbourg Brothers was commissioned by the Duke of Berry in 1412 France. This book is an example of royal patronage. It is meant to depict and glorify daily life in the court while simultaneously belittling those of the lower class.Tres Riches Heures is personalized for the Duke and includes his likeness and some scholars believe that because the faces in the book are so diverse, that they must be portraits of individual members of the court. This fact and the use of the rare pigment lapis lazuli, the intricacy of the book, and the heavy use of hidden symbolism are all meant to illustrate the wealth of the duke. The court was the intended audience of this commission. Patronage was a defining element of renaissance art. There were many motivations to purchase art such as religion, proof of power or wealth, or political reasons.Commissions varied depending on the motivation and the intended audience. Works Cited Carroll, Margaret D. â€Å"†In the Name of God and Profit†: Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait. † Representations 44. 1 (1993): 96-132. http://www. jstor. org/stable/2928641 Web. 26 Feb. 2013 James, Sara Nair. â€Å"Masacc io: St. Andrew And â€Å"The Pisa Altarpiece.. † Sixteenth Century Journal 35. 4 (2004): 1178. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. Perkinson, Stephen. â€Å"Likeness, Loyalty, And The Life Of The Court Artist: Portraiture In The Calendar Scenes Of The Tres Riches Heures. † Quaerendo 38. /3 (2008): 142-174. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. Polzer, Joseph. Ambrogio Lorenzetti's â€Å"War and Peace† Murals Revisited: Contributions to the Meaning of the â€Å"Good Government Allegory† Artibus et Historiae. Vol. 23, No. 45 (2002), pp. 63-105 http://www. jstor. org. ezproxy2. drake. brockport. edu/stable/1483682 Web. 24 Feb. 2013 Rough, Robert H. â€Å"Enrico Scrovegni, The Cavalieri Gaudenti, And The Arena Chapel In Padua. † Art Bulletin 62. 1 (1980): 24. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. ——————————————– [ 2 ].Robert H Rough, Enrico Scrovegni, the Cavalieri Gaudenti, and the Arena Chapel in Padua, pg. 26. [ 3 ]. Sara Nair James, Masaccio: St. Andrew and â€Å"The Pisa Altarpiece. † Pg. 1178 [ 4 ]. Joseph Polzer, Ambrogio Lorenzetti's â€Å"War and Peace† Murals Revisited: Contributions to the Meaning of the â€Å"Good Government Allegory† Pg. 64 [ 5 ]. Margaret D. Carroll, â€Å"In the Name of God and Profit†: Jan van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait. Pg. 99 [ 6 ]. Steven, Perkinson, Likeness, Loyalty, and the Life of the Court Artist: Portraiture in the Calendar Scenes of the Tres Riches Heures Pg. 144

Pro Life And Pro Choice Essay - 2005 Words

Power is an important force within the world of public policy, as change in power results in a change of perspective and policy. Abortion policy exemplifies the role of power in the policy process; abortion policy has been shifting throughout American history as American views have simultaneously transitioned from more conservative to more liberal. Doctors, specifically regular physicians, have guided the discussion surrounding abortion in the most influential way for the longest time. Their power, in particular, their medical expertise, has allowed them to take hold of the issue and push against abortion from a medical stance. As a result of the change from traditional views to more contemporary ones, the power the doctors held was taken by women, and abortion simultaneously became not an issue of health, but one regarding a woman’s right to choose: pro-life and pro-choice. In America, abortion policy has transitioned from an issue of health and morality to one of womenâ€⠄¢s rights over time due to the power shifting from doctors to women as a result of modernization and the change in how Americans saw religion; this shift in turn impacting how the abortion issue’s sides are defined and how the issue is argued in the realm of public policy. Orthodox views and traditional customs made up nineteenth century America, abortion being among the least controversial issues of the time. Abortion, seen as abnormal and taboo, was a quiet issue and not talked about. As Callahan writes inShow MoreRelatedPro Choice Or Pro Life?1401 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish 11/12 9 February 2017 Pro-Choice or Pro-Life? Abortion is a very controversial topic, and has been for many decades in the United States. Ever since the Supreme Court Case: Roe vs. Wade in 1973, an intense battle has raged forth. People who are against abortion are called Pro-Life; people who support abortion are Pro-Choice. The two main questions people try to answer on this issue are â€Å"Is the fetus a human being or not?† and â€Å"What is the definition of life?† According to Webster’s New WorldRead MorePro-Life or Pro-Choice1455 Words   |  6 Pagessplit into two different groups: Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. The Pro-Choice group believes women should be able to choose to have an abortion and it should be legal. Pro-Life is the complete opposite. They believe that abortion is murder and should be illegal for everyone. I am Pro-Life. Abortion is completely wrong and shouldn’t be legal or even thought of. My main reason is because abortion is immoral and to go through with an abortion takes away l ife. Taking a life is murder and is against the lawRead MorePro Life Or Pro Choice1524 Words   |  7 PagesPro-Life or Pro-choice is the highly debatable question that is discussed when the topic of abortion is brought up. Abortion is one of many controversial topics in America. Abortion is the early termination of a pregnancy. Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines abortion as; â€Å"the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: as a: spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation b: induced expulsionRead MorePro Choice And Pro Life1231 Words   |  5 Pagesyour view on the topic shows the type of person you are. There are two sides to this debate: Pro-Choice and Pro-life. In this case when you are Pro-choice you believe that women have the custody and rights to do what they want to with their baby. While many people believe in the women’s right, they donâ⠂¬â„¢t believe that murdering babies is going to solve anything. These people standpoints are called Pro-life. For my topic I wanted to go deeper into this worldwide debate. For my first abortion questionRead MorePro Choice And Pro Life1361 Words   |  6 Pagesis; â€Å"The termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to being capable of normal growth†. Abortion is one of the most controversial topics today. Although there are two sides of the debate pro-choice and pro life, arguments are mainly centered around the Roe v. Wade decision, women’s rights and state restrictive laws. Women faced many difficulties before Roe V. Wade case. After the case the court made abortions available to women in the United StatesRead MorePro Life And Pro Choice1371 Words   |  6 Pagesare Actually being called as pro-life and pro-choice. According to the Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context, pro-life supporters have mentioned that life Really Actually begins at conception. Which means when the sperm hits the egg. So you know what that means, abortion at any particular stage in the pregnancy is actually murder. They also believe that life is very valuable and the life of the unborn baby has the same rights as the very much alive mother. Pro-choice supporters, on the other handRead MorePro Life And Pro Choice1403 Words   |  6 Pagesmother, is a highly debated ethical issue. Abortion is an ethical issue because it involves violating the either the fetus’s natural right to live, or the mother’s right to freedom. The two most common approaches to this issue are pro-life and pro-choice. The pro-life approach argues that the fetus is a human who has sentience and natural rights, and therefore it is wrong to harm the unborn child. One of the most common issues within the abortion dilemma is the problem of personhood. There is debateRead MorePro Life Or Pro Choice1291 Words   |  6 PagesPro Life or Pro Choice The restrictions and the debate that surrounds the issue of abortion has changed dramatically throughout the course of history and it continues to change until this very moment. All around the world and in every known society, women have used abortion to control their reproduction, regardless of it’s legality. Abortion used to be exercised freely in the United Sates, up Until all the states started to ban It and place a lot of restrictions on it. They stated that a womanRead MorePro Life And Pro Choice Essay1772 Words   |  8 Pagesa result of the change in traditionalistic views, the power the doctors held for a long time was taken by women, and abortion simultaneously became not an issue of health, but one questioning morality as well as a woman’s right to choose: pro-life and pro-choice. In America, abortion policy has transitioned from an issue of health and morality to one of women’s rights over time due to the power shifting from doctors to women as a r esult of modernization and the change in how Americans saw religion;Read MorePro Life And Pro Choice1649 Words   |  7 Pagestoday’s society you are either a Pro-life or a Pro-choice, there is not a middle ground. Pro-life are individuals who believe abortion is immoral and should be stop for the wellbeing of women and unborn babies. In contrast, the Pro-choice individuals do not necessarily promote abortion, they just believe women should be the ones to make decisions over their bodies and health. Although the two main sides of the abortion debate have concerns for human life, pro-life activists worries more about the

Should We Be Prepared For The War On Terror - 1318 Words

In one part of the world there is a child ready to sit exams. Preparing for the rest of their life ahead of them. While, at the same time, in another part of the world, there is a child crossing a vast ocean in a small dinghy filled double the recommended amount holding dearly to their crying mother. Who is preparing for the worst. One is a normal teenager in Britain the other is a child stricken by poverty at the hands of Britain and ISIS stuck in the middle of the so called war on terror . There are many strong opinions both for and against the acceptance of refugees. That of which would have been changed after the emergance of the photo of a young toddler whose corpse was washed ashore after attempting to flee the place he calls home. This did lead to cals for our government to house as many refugees as possible. Then shortly after the paris attacks of November 13 2015 soon shifted many opinions as the calls to close the borders gained more support. However, should we be so narro w minded as to let the actions of a few define other muslims as people? It is not right nor just to send innocent men, women and children back to a war torn country that is stuck in the middle of a war it wants no part in. No matter how we feel about immigration and religion it is easy to accept that allowing entrance to refugees is the right thing to do. However the arguement is often made that there are many economic migrants who only want to come to Britain for the amazing benifits.Show MoreRelatedSyrian Refugees Should Not Be Allowed Into America1169 Words   |  5 PagesSince 2011, more than 250,000 people have been killed in the Syrian civil war. Millions of other Syrians are searching for a secure home. America could provide a home to these Syrians if they were well prepared and funded. Taking in Syrian refugees would have no help to Syria, be dangerous for American citizens and be an extremely ignorant move, considering we are not prepared for almost 50,000 refugees. Syrian refugees should not be allowed into America. If Americans do take in refugees, this willRead MoreWar on Terror1421 Words   |  6 PagesPOL SCI 180 PATRICK COATY WAR ON TERROR I, myself, before September 11, 2001 did not know what terrorism was. It is completely a new term for me, and I could never figure how terrible it is. But then, experiencing and witnessing the feeling of losing the one you loved who was a victim of that disaster, I recognized that the world is no longer as safe as before. Today, not only America but also Britain, Spain, Indonesia†¦became the target of terrorists. The terror tissue is the most challengedRead MoreWar On Terror And Terrorism1300 Words   |  6 PagesWar on Terror After the incident of September 11, 2001, War on Terror became a serious problem. That attack made huge effects on U.S government and many other countries. Many innocent people lost their lives because of those terrorists. No one knows if an incident like the one on September 11 will happen again, but we have to know that â€Å"we are the primary target†. According to Patrick Coaty’s â€Å"War on Terror,† the terrorism has been developed throughout history. So that people should know to fightRead MoreTerrorism : A Common Definition Of Terrorism972 Words   |  4 Pagesdevelopment and they want to kill, destroy and spread fear. They misuse and misinterprets any faith in their favor and they try to mix terrorism with the religious ideology. And they support each other globally for these shared goals, but we should ask ourselves, what do we do to defend ourselves and defeat terrorism? Climate change, the proliferation of weapon of mass destruction (WMD) and terrorism is widely debated as a threat around the world. These three issues might be the top three issues in frontRead MoreYasser Arafat In The Move Toward a Palestinian State Essay813 Words   |  4 Pagesfreedom-fighter. In 1968 Arafat lost a war, his second major defeat after a battle lost in 1948. Despite this set-back in Arafats campaign, he gained many new supporters who believed in what he was doing. Later that year he was assigned the position of leader of the PLO, the umbrella for the organisation of the main guerrilla movements. This further made his motives look like they were in the interests of terror. The two lost wars had been set-backs for Arafat but he keptRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1139 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cold War is a period following world war II which was marked by political conflict between former allies; the United States and the Soviet Union. It is considered â€Å"a state of conflict that stops just ever so short of direct military combat. Instead, the fighting mainly takes the form of economic competition, political maneuvers, propaganda and, at times, proxy wars between nations allied to one of the more powerful nations.† (Pelz 171). Once allies, the United States and Soviet Union experiencedRead MoreRevelation Is Sealed And Closed From Understanding Its Context Essay1505 Words   |  7 Pagesmysterious book without meaning, and frequently brings confusion to others. Yet this book contains important, vital meanings that will correlate to what might happen in our lifetime, such as the coming of the Antichrist, multiple beasts, visions, plagues, wars, and much more. The book of Revelation is filled with truths and answers to the questions that relate to the end times. With the prophecy of Daniel and the words of John and Jesus, it gives us a clear description on what will come in the end of timesRead MoreNational Security Vs. Digital Privacy1735 Words   |  7 Pagesso, policies, procedures, and protocols would be amended for the sole purpose of protecting the country. Such alterations should be made because it prevents crime in a timely, reliable, and successful manner, whilst preserving the fundamental rights of all United States Citizens. In light of the controversy over national security versus digital privacy, the government should partake in international surveillance because it inhibits potential crime and terrorism, it is quick, it is dependable, andRead MoreTaking a Look at Terrorism1004 Words   |  4 Pagesattack; it totally changed people view toward terrorisms from that point. The question is how and what should we do to dissuade this kind of attack for happening again in the future whether near or farther? In order to get the solution for this problem, we should examine terrorism from three different perspectives with the international environment, the state, and the individual in The War on Terror written by Patrick Coaty. International system is characterized by anarchy, the state without governmentalRead MoreOrigin And Expansion Of Isis Essay1750 Words   |  7 Pagesaccelerated growth in the Middle East. When talking about the origins and expansion of ISIS there are two stories the first is about the men who were behind the start of ISIS and the second is regarding the United States role in accidently aiding the terror group. ISIS is a very smart, advanced, and brutal group who are extremely wealthy and this is why they are growing at an astonishing rate. In modern history ISIS has become more menacing than they have been in the past, but here is the history of

Persuasive Speech About Coffee - 879 Words

Title: Why you should drink Tea over Coffee General Purpose: To persuade Specific Detail: To persuade my audience that drinking tea can bring a lot of benefits to our lives instead of drinking coffee. Introduction I. In the first place, let me make an inquiry. On the off chance that I give you some Starbuck espresso and some Lipton tea, which one do you incline toward? II. Both espresso and tea are the celebrated refreshments in our nation and also in around the world. A. Coffee is a standout amongst the most broadly devoured drinks everywhere throughout the world. B. It is a stimulant and aids in getting over the sentiment tiredness and weariness. This could prompt coffee drinking propensity which could be hard to leave with time.†¦show more content†¦Drinking espresso adds to having a coronary illness. 1. As indicated by an investigation led at Stanford College, stationary men in the middle of 30 and 55 devouring even more than some espresso a day could be at a higher danger of creating coronary illness at that point individuals who expend less. 2. As indicated by another examination led to 100,000 individuals by Dr. Klatsky, a previous teacher at Columbia College School of Doctors and Specialists from 1966 to 1968, claims that at least some espresso a day could help odds of coronary illness by 30% in men and an incredible 60% in ladies. (Source: http://www.herbal-home-remedies.com/blog) (Transition: Now, let me clarify about the integrity of savoring tea our lives.) II. The last point is about the decency of savoring tea our lives. A. Predominantly, teas contain an expansive number of cancer prevention agents which are substances that repress oxidation or restrain responses advanced by oxygen or peroxides that may come about because of wrinkles on your skin. 1. In another word, cancer prevention agents can help back off maturing and help your phones to recover and repair particularly cells in our skin with the goal that your skin will be securely protected by these substances. Therefore, you will dependably look more youthful even though you are old for your ages. 2. Likewise, teas of all assortments additionally contain abnormal amounts of cell reinforcement polyphenols thatShow MoreRelatedCaffeine Speech Essay774 Words   |  4 PagesSpeech Outline Title: Caffeine Specific purpose: To inform my audience about the effects and health issues of caffeine. Thesis: Caffeine can have many different effects on the body depending on the amount of consumption. Introduction A. Attention Getter – How many of you here consider yourself caffeine addicts? How much soda do you drink a day? One bottle? Two cans? More? How about coffee? B. Thesis statement – Caffeine can have many different effects on the body depending on the amountRead MoreAnalysis Of Glengarry Glen Ross By David Mamet1064 Words   |  5 PagesEveryday people use speech to relay their thoughts and feelings. Some people’s jobs revolve around speaking to others to convince them that they have a better idea for their investments and that they know what is best for the customer. Such jobs include those of salesmen. Their sole job is to convince their customers that it is in their best interest to buy their product that they are trying to sell. The film adaptation of the play Glengarry Glen Ross written by David Mamet, illustrates how salesmenRead MorePersuasive Speech Outline For Non Rising Of Minimum Wage Essay1228 Words   |  5 PagesJessica Raya Speech 100 Professor Blumer 11/10/16 Persuasive Speech Outline __________________________________________________________________________ General purpose: The general purpose of this speech is to persuade the audience. Specific purpose: The specific purpose of my speech is to persuade my audience to support the non-rising of minimum wage. ___________________________________________________________________________ Introduction Attention getter (teaser): How many of you believe weRead MoreWhat to Do with a Ba in History1395 Words   |  6 Pagesinspiring tone which establishes strong pathos. In â€Å"How to Get a Real Education at College†, Scott Adams does a fair job of establishing ethos. He uses his business experience in college as the basis of his evidence. For example, he worked at the Coffee House as the minister of finance, designed a plan to become student manager of his dormitory, and even started a soccer club (Adams 528). His anecdotes give him credibility because he has experience in the field of entrepreneurship, but he lackedRead MoreThe Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Citizen By Frederick Douglas And The Important Men1298 Words   |  6 Pageshave talked about rights and slavery, realizing that if slavery never happened, our world wouldn’t have some of the rights that we have today. The Haitian Revolution was a revolt for the African Americans against the French rule, one of the prominent slave rebellions known to man. The number of slaves working for the plantations in Haiti was around 500,000 slaves and there were only about 40,000 whites in the population (Strayer). On this plantation was a majority of sugar and coffee. On this landRead MoreEssay on Persuasive Speech822 Words   |  4 PagesAshley Buckner Persuasive Speech COMM210D 4/20/12 Why should you smile? I. Imagine: you wake up in the morning. You get ready and grab a cup of coffee. Then, you walk out the door, seeing many faces as you make your way to work, and walk up to your building. When you walk inside expecting to be greeted by many more positive faces, you see none, and so you walk over and sit down at your desk. While thinking back on your morning to work you were realizing that there was not a moment ofRead MorePersuasive Speech1641 Words   |  7 Pagesto Public Speaking 14 November 2010 Persuasive Speech Reduce Landfill Waste by Reduce, Reuse and Recycling and the financial benefits I. Introduction A. Attention Getter: Over half of the waste that ends up in the landfill does not belong there because it could have been recycled or reused. B. Credibility Statement: Not only do I religiously practice reducing, reusing, and recycling, but I have done a great deal of research for this speech, also research for a recycling projectRead MoreNature of Individual Differences Found in Organizations3465 Words   |  14 Pagesare often positive or negative, but they can also be uncertain at times. For example, we might have mixed feelings about a particular person or issue. Researchers also suggest that there are several different components that make up attitudes. 1. An Emotional Component: How the object, person, issue or event makes you feel. 2. A Cognitive Component: Your thoughts and beliefs about the subject. 3. A Behavioral Component: How the attitude influences your behavior. Attitudes can also be explicitRead MoreChildren At 25 Or 45 Essay1399 Words   |  6 PagesRaikhan Amanzholova Children at 25 or 45 - compare/contrast In the modern world most of people start thinking about building a family and having children at some point of their lives. However, for every person, even for every nation, the right time for having children differs. For instance, in Kazakhstan the perfect age for building a family is 23-25, but in most European countries many people plan having children at the age of 40 and overRead MoreThe Impact Of Internet On The Internet1418 Words   |  6 Pagesshop, it would be easier for them to do it online with a click of a button. It revolutionized the way many citizens act and think since they become very dependent on the internet. The internet is convenient tool, it can be found everywhere; a local coffee shop, school, library, businesses, etc. Matt Richtel, New York Times journalist, points out the negatives and positives of what overuse of technology does to an individual. I agree with Richtel’s points because technology has taken over some people’s

Why Did European Powers Seek Colonies Overseas Free Essays

In 1871, a new form of colonisation emerged in Europe and was later differentiated from the Empires of Spain and Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries as New Imperialism. Intelligibly, it is also referred to as ‘the Scramble for Africa’, as a result of the swift rate at which nations clamoured to gain control of weaker regions in deviated areas from the 1600’s. There is much speculation surrounding the reasoning of such accelerated expansion, however, there is a clear correlation of events that have been linked to New Imperialism. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Did European Powers Seek Colonies Overseas? or any similar topic only for you Order Now I do not attest the popular belief that this colonisation increased tension in Europe and, in this essay, I will endeavour to present a synthesis of this premise. Similar to the explorers of old imperialism, European powers were drawn to Africa for economic benefits. The British economist, J. A Hobson, argued the drive for new colonies was influenced by the desire of capitalists to profit from these regions. The credibility of this assertion is heightened by the knowledge of the ongoing industrialisation of Europe, prompting a demand for larger markets and cheaper raw materials and labour. It was equally the case of nations, such as Britain, that were at the end of the industrial boom, as they sought new markets for manufactured goods. The abandonment of free trade in Europe in the 1870s signified the introduction of a wave of tariffs on imported goods and resulted in a sweeping effect across Europe to search for alternative markets elsewhere. The validation of this is reflected in the leap of Britain’s overseas investments from 187 million pounds in 1871 to 4,000 million pounds in 1914. Economic advantage was certainly a motivating factor, however, some European nations, such as France, underwent little industrial growth and had gained little from colonising. It appears imperialism was a source of national pride and acted as a distraction to unfavourable events at home. This was certainly the case in France, which was still recovering from a humiliating defeat in the Franco-Prussian war and was understandably envious of its European counterparts that were replete with wealth and power. It is then unsurprising that the French became one of the leading imperialists of the time, with an empire of Indo-China, north and west Africa and over 60 million people by 1914, although their colonies contributed sparsely to the economy. Imperialism was an accepted route to regard, as was expressed by both the French statesman, Leon Gambetta in the remark, â€Å"to remain a great nation/you must colonise† and the British writer A. C Benson, in his song, â€Å"Land of Hope and Glory† which applauded colonisation. The most intriguing and often bewildering explanation for imperialism was concerned with philanthropy. Although it seems an unnatural concept in this day and age, 19th century Europeans believed they were a superior race and it was their duty to cultivate European ideas and ways of living in Africa. This perspective was a manipulated adaptation of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and was widely regarded, particularly in Britain and Germany, as the truth. The view of the British writer, Rudyard Kipling, in ‘The White Man’s Burden’ is an appropriate reflection of this and depicts the so-called â€Å"burden† upon Europeans to help less fortunate races. Evidently, it was conceited; nevertheless, missionaries such as The White Fathers and Robert Moffat made progress in Africa to soothe troubles and, polemically, converted many from Paganism to Christianity. European Governments often used Darwin’s theory as an excuse to subjugate Africans and, thus, imperialism grew in popularity. Technological advances like the railway, steamship and telegraph and improved weaponry like the breech-loading rifle, capable of firing several rounds before the need to reload also gave Europeans a distinct advantage over natives and made Africa much more vulnerable to attack. Many saw medical advances, such as, the use of quinine as protection from malaria and advances in transport as an opportunity to explore what was known as the ‘Dark Continent’, as many of the inner regions of Africa remained untouched until this time. The most famous of which, Dr. David Livingstone, whom travelled from his native Scotland to the vast regions of Central Africa to carry out medical and missionary work, enlightened the imagination of the European public. In 1869, Henry Stanley of the New York Herald sent for Livingstone after a loss of contact for over four years, and eventually succeeded when Livingstone was found at Lake Tanganyika in east Africa, greeting him with the famous line, â€Å"Dr. Livingstone, I presume? †. Following the disclosure of the story, Europeans became increasingly nterested in what Africa had to offer and pressure was put on governments to colonise; in Germany, many lobby groups, such as The German Navy League were created in support of colonisation and achieved their desires when Bismark, apparently â€Å"no man for colonies† acquired colonies in the Cameroons, Togal and east Africa, south west Africa and the Pacific Islands, like Marshall Isle. In fact, it was with adept explor ers that ‘The Scramble of Africa’ began, when, in 1870, Henry Stanley took his experience from travelling Africa and, under the advice of King Leopold of Belgium, formed the International African Association. He then reached agreements with tribal leaders in the Congo region, in which they placed themselves and their subjects under the protection of King Leopold. The French followed suit with their explorer, Savorgnan de Brazza, being sent to the north of the River Congo where he reached similar agreements with indigenous tribal chiefs. The Germans joined in with their protectorate over the Cameroons in 1884 and so the scramble commenced. Wilhelm II was in power in Germany from 1890 to 1914, at the height of imperialism. He is largely responsible for the damaged relations in Europe as opposed to colonisation. Under the management of Bismark, 1871-1890, Europe was reasonably calm and relations remained unchanged, regardless of the imperialism taking place at the time. Bismarck realised the potential tension that could arise as a result of the race for colonies and called The Second Conference of Berlin, 1884-1885, to resolve the issue. It was agreed that the Congo Free State would be controlled by an international organisation and was to operate on a free trade basis, meaning the importation of goods would go without taxation. Natives were not to be exploited by European powers and the slave trade was to be abolished. Most importantly, Africa was to be divided into spheres of influence, whereby European powers were to be given economic and political rights in particular areas of the continent. This move cleared any uncertainty regarding where one could colonise, with the exception of The Fashoda Crisis, 1898, which actually resulted in improved Anglo-French relations, following a brief clash over interests in a small village on the Nile in southern Sudan. In 1896, General Kitchener led the British in an attempt to secure Sudan from the north, while French forces, under General Marchand, arrived in Fashoda, 650km from the British-occupied Khartoum, seeking the very same result. Both leaders confronted one another at Fashoda and remained there for six months, until the French Foreign Minister, Theophile Delcasse, stood down, as the French were unprepared for war without their Russian ally and their difficult time after the Dreyfus Affair. The incident ended peacefully. Following the resignation of Bismarck in 1890, European relations were severed and the balance of power shifted uneasily. However, this was not the result of colonial rivalry; Wilhelm II made numerous mistakes in his administration of German foreign policy to disrupt European relations and cause tension. This began with his poor response to Britain’s humiliating defeat in what is known as, the Jameson Raid. In 1895, the British Colonial Secretary, Joseph Chamberlain, along with Cecil Rhodes, Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and Dr. Starr Jameson, official to the British South African Company led a badly organised attack on the Boers in the Transvaal area of South Africa. They were easily defeated and Jameson himself was captured. This incident humiliated the British but did not affect European relations; it was the unnecessary telegram sent by Wilhelm II to Paul Kruger, President of the Transvaal, congratulating him of his defeat of the British, â€Å"without appealing to a friendly power† that caused uproar and hostility throughout Europe. The incident to follow – the First Moroccan Crisis, 1905-1906 – was a means of sabre rattling or troublemaking for Wilhelm II. In 1905, having been suspicious of French intentions, he landed his yacht at Tangiers and announced his support of Moroccan independence to the Sultan and pledged German protection of that independence. He then demanded a conference to be held in Algeciras to discuss the matter which France reluctantly agreed to. The main intention of Wilhelm II at this point was to test the strength of the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain and he hoped to weaken it through this intervention. However, Germany managed only to get the support of Morocco and Austria-Hungary, while France was supported by Britain, the US, Russia, Spain and even Italy. The crisis strengthened rather than weakened the Entente and was a direct result of the sabre rattling of Wilhelm II, not colonial rivalry. He interceded once again in the Second Moroccan Crisis, 1911, when he accused France of annexing Morocco. The grounds of his argument, after the occupation of French troops of Morocco when a war had broken out in the capital, Fez and foreigners were in danger, was a supposed breech of the terms agreed in the Algeciras Conference, 1906. Wilhelm II sent a gunboat, the Panther to Agadir, however the British then intervened by commanding his retreat and threatening to send naval forces to stop him. He surrendered and Anglo-French ties were further strengthened. Wilhelm II was viewed as a warmonger – a seeker of war – and tension within Europe was strong, as a result of his conduct. New Imperialism did not occur as a result of one factor, but of an accumulation of vacillating events, for example, industrialisation that prompted technological advances, which encouraged explorers and eventually a saturation of industry or a failure to industrialise and a need to gain prestige elsewhere – all of which contributed heavily to imperialism. Regardless of the reasoning, by the 19th century, all of Africa with the exception of Abyssinia and Liberia had been conquered by European powers. However, the important question remains on how colonisation affected European relations; was it truly a contributing factor to World War I or was it indeed a derivative of existing tension at home that was actually accelerated by distrust between nations? Is it possible that imperialism was simply a distraction for Europeans from their quickly diminishing relations and may have delayed the inevitable outburst of war? It remains unanswered but I simply hope I have justified a slightly different interpretation of the affairs outlined above. How to cite Why Did European Powers Seek Colonies Overseas?, Essay examples

Developing a Problem Statement free essay sample

Often the first step in the research design process is to identify a real world problem or management dilemma and provide a very brief description of the nature of the issue, the undesirable symptoms, and our inability or lack of knowledge to solve the problem. All the other components are designed to produce a contribution to knowledge that will help solve this problem. While there are some fields that do pure research, there are plenty of real world management problems and opportunities for improvement that management researchers dont need to dream up things to research. If you have not yet identified a research topic then work on identifying an appropriate research topic then return to this section. Read more on identifying a topic. The problem statement is the foundation for and the rationale for the significance of the study. According to Cooper and Schindler (2002) â€Å"this section needs to convince the sponsor [or dissertation committee] to continue reading the proposal† (p. We will write a custom essay sample on Developing a Problem Statement or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 101). Regardless whether you plan on having a sponsor, a practical reason to conduct the study will help increase your motivation (and tenacity), your participant’s motivation thus increasing participation and response rate, and the impact on the real world. Cooper and Schindler propose that ideally a problem statement includes four components: a management dilemma, the background, consequences, and the management questions (p. 101). The management dilemma and the management question are the first two levels of the management-research question hierarchy. Creswell (2003) proposes that the problem statement should come early in the introduction to motivate the reader to read further or as Creswell proposes â€Å"pique their interest† (p. 79). So, develop a compelling problem statement now and let it guide the design of your research project. It can be an acid test for your methodology decisions – each time that you face a decision ask yourself – does it help to answer the management question and resolve the management dilemma? Knowledge Gap In addition to the undesirable â€Å"symptoms† related to the problem or opportunity, is the second required component of the problem statement which is a gap in our existing knowledge/theories preventing us from solving the problem. There has to be a gap in our existing theories, empirical knowledge, etc. to justify a research project. If we already have the knowledge to solve the problem, then we can simply apply that knowledge or theory and solve the problem. It is not uncommon for organizations to experience many problems that we already know how to solve. The organization may not know how to solve the problem or be familiar with the current literature so the first step is to find out what we know about this problem. If there is a knowledge gap then the problem is a candidate for a research project. Note: A problem isnt always a problem, it might also be an opportunity for improvement. In other words, organization performance is seldom all that we would like it to be. The gap between the current performance or situation and the desired level of performance is an opportunity for improvement or a problem. One way to back into a problem statement is to ask if we only knew ________ then we could improve ________. Caution: Possibly the biggest danger with developing a problem statement is creating a problem that is vague and so broad that a single study can’t possibly answer the problem.