European Society around 1900 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

European Society around 1900 - Essay Example The capacity to explain for the partition of the African continent has been declared an indicator of imperialism theories, and divergent hypothesis have been suggest with immense vehemence. The scale of vehemence produced in the deliberations could be clarified by the verity that numerous key queries are concerned and the diverse responses to the questions inform fundamentally diverse outlooks of historical associations between European and African subjects. The question concerns the link between Africa's partition and the expansion of European capitalism. The debate is viewed as a battle between belief in the existence of relationship between capitalism and partitioning of Africa, and the absence of such a conviction. Another question concerns the nature of partitioning process involved. The question is whether the scramble was a spontaneous unplanned process, or whether it was a deliberate decision by the partitioners. Several reasons are given for the Scramble and partition of Africa by the European colonizers. First, the Europeans seriously needed the raw materials for their industries back in Europe. Some of these raw materials were found in plenty in the African continent and had not been mined by anyone. ... The major European countries involved in the partition of Africa also believed that the holder of biggest colonial domain would be relatively superior to the rival colonialists in power. A common hypothesis given for the French involvement in colonization of Africa was the desire by the French to restore their reputation and pride after losing the Franco-Prussia war (Duignan and Gann 16). Another controversial reason forwarded for the Europeans foray into the African continent is the European obligation to dominate other non-white races. It is suggested that the Europeans believed they had a responsibility to deliver civilization to other "weaker races", by whichever means possible (voluntarily or by coercion). Later in 1899 the British and the French resolved their differences. The British acknowledged the French's Madagascar, while the French recognized the British Nigerian and Zanzibar protectorate. European socio-economic standings went through a major transformation in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The reason for the intense revolution was the extraordinary growth of relations and factors of production, which is generally called Industrial Revolution; although this could appropriately be referred to as the Industrial capitalism breakthrough. This period witnessed a remarkable rise in production capacity and efficiency. Major industrial changes, that had commenced a century prior to the European colonization of Africa, received considerable boost at the onslaught of partition. The cotton industry in Britain is clear illustration of the industries that underwent major expansion at the turn of the century.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Awakening by Kate Chopin - Research Paper Example The controversial ending of the novel shall also be looked into and problematized. Its implications and how it shapes the critic’s response to the character shall be analyzed in this paper. Critical responses drawn from famous essays on The Awakening shall shape the views put forth by this paper which shall be sought to be modified and incorporated. These views shall be used to support and further the arguments that shall be put forth in this paper. Kate Chopin’s The Awakening Kate Chopin’s work, at the time of its publication (the late nineteenth century), created quite a stir. It was one of the first novels that portrayed a woman, comfortably placed in life, who chooses to rebel against the lack of choice that life presents her with. Chopin’s protagonist, Edna Pontellier, is a woman who is married to a wealthy businessman, who according to a patriarchal society, would be considered to be a dutiful and loving husband. He provides Edna with every material comfort imaginable and is a very caring husband; still, Edna chooses to rebel. Conservative reviewers of the time could not digest such an action by the protagonist of a well-known author. Edna’s rebellion, however, is not against the comforts that her life provides her; it is against a system that refuses to accord her the kind of respect that she feels she deserves: that which is given by the society to an artist, a respect different in its nature from that which was provided to a woman merely for the fulfillment of maternal and wifely duties. Critics like Margo Culley have talked about how Edna is a â€Å"solitary soul† (Culley 247). She talks of how Edna’s solitude leads her to explore new areas of activity that eventually lead to her sexual awakening. This leads her to enter into relationships with other men, in what she initially believes to be steps that are liberating. However, she later realizes that she represented nothing but a conquest for men like A lcee Arobin. This, Culley remarks, forces her back to her solitude that follows a recognition of the failure of both forms of awakening, social and sexual, to free her from the oppressive social framework that she inhabits. Edna’s awakenings are thus always accompanied by a disillusionment with the mode of awakening that she adopts. This problem needs to be analyzed at length. Going over the main events of the novel might be helpful, in this regard. Edna Pontellier, disillusioned with her life as a married woman who seeks fulfillment only through her roles as a wife and mother, distances herself from her husband and from her motherly duties. She undergoes a sexual awakening that leads her to extra-marital affairs that fail to fulfill her needs. She moves into another house in order to lead what she considers an independent life. This attempt too, fails her. She eventually commits suicide, driven to desperation by her failed attempts to attain respectability in a society that refused to provide women with it. Edna’s problem can be seen as the problem of a woman who fails to break out of the life that she creates for herself. In as much as this is true, Edna is as much of a culprit as the society. Edna, throughout the novel, is unwilling to break free of the luxuries that life provide for her. Even when she chooses to move into a new apartment, she does so using her inheritance from her father, which is again, patriarchal wealth, part of a social system that Edna tries to break out, in the

Energy drinks, possible benefits and health risks Essay

Energy drinks, possible benefits and health risks - Essay Example EDs are also purported to enhance alertness and performance .In addition, the paper will also examine the various risks associated with ED which include undesirable effects of caffeine, dangers of mixing EDs with alcoholic beverages, addiction to the drink as well as weight gain which may result in obesity and other cardiovascular ailments. Nevertheless, consumption of energy drinks continues to rise and several people fall prey to the advertising of these drinks. There is therefore need for more research as well as practical steps to protect public health, especially vulnerable individuals such adolescents and pregnant women. Energy drinks(ED) can be described as beverages that are typified by the addition of different energy-enhancing elements and are claimed to enhance concentration, athletic performance, reaction time as well as basal metabolism (Burrows, et al, 2013).Energy drinks therefore contain modest to comparatively high concentrations and levels of caffeine, as compared with other beverages that contain caffeine such as cola. Energy drink’s popularity has increased exponentially, recording a 240 percent rise in sales from 2004-2009(Reissig, et al, 2009). Thus, within the quickly growing beverage sector, there is dominance by Red Bull which commands 42% of the market share in the US. Red Bull in 2011 sold over 4 billion units in more than 160 states globally. Reports indicate that males aged18-34 years are the greatest consumers of EDs though increased consumption has also been reported amongst younger children as well. In addition, 31% of children aged between12-17 years and 34 percent of young adults aged between 18-24 years reported regular consumption of the energy drinks; with approximately 57 percent of college students claiming frequent use of energy drinks. Energy drink’s regulation comprising their health warnings and content varies

Xipe Totec Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Xipe Totec - Research Paper Example The Aztecs conducted ceremonious events to celebrate their life. For instance, they would conduct or play a series of mock confrontations between groups of young adults. One group wore skins made from war captives and sat on mats. Xipe Totec was present in the ceremony dressed in the skin. The opposing side approached the relaxed and seated group, and provoked them in a mock war with their taunting. They would retaliate and chase their opponents. A person who was would succeed to catch his opponent could confine him to jail and awarded a gift of hanging over personal ownership. In regards to Xipe engagement in cults, it has been theorized that the origin of Xipe relate to a cult believed to be responsible for human liberation. This illustrates that the skin and the flesh of humanity is what is keeping the soul captive thus making Xipe Totec a god of hostage or bondage. Not only did Xipe Totec participate in sacred rituals, but also the Aztecs had a conviction that he was the deity th at sent eye and skin problems to the earth. The emergence of these convictions or believes have been traced to distinct renditions of Xipe Totec often shown with bursting or blistering eye. This is symbolic to the Aztecs in that it shows one of the motivators for sacrifices in the Aztec culture. Therefore, the Aztec’s believed that in order to achieve enlightenment and inversion, it was significant to conduct sacrifice. Xipe Totec also had a great influence to the craft industry in that Xipe was linked with obsidian artisan. The ceremony would be followed by a visit to people’s houses where they would ask for alms in exchange for blessing Xipe Totec. Xipe Totec tells us much about the culture of the Aztec people. It reveals that the Aztecs were primarily an agricultural culture that relied on farming for their livelihood. In addition, it is easy to realize that these people were dedicated to their religion in the sense that through the picture of Xipe Totec, there is e vidence of human sacrifice that was prevalence in their ceremonies to the gods. The dress was also a significant part of the Aztec faith and daily life style. The Aztec people had an advanced civilization for their government participation, religious faith, and family life they lived a productive and

Not sure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

Not sure - Essay Example claim that man maintains innate inclinations towards morality, which does not let him to go astray quite unbridled without being responsible to some Supreme Being, who has created His voice in every heart in the form of conscience in order to keep the seduction and temptation of the evil away from him. Human nature, according to this distinguished sage, and its impulses as well, if cultivated, turn into moral virtues. Our natures are, he argues, what heaven has given us (6A.15). Since heaven has created human nature in its own image, it has natural tendencies of inclining towards goodness ultimately. Thus, human nature even remaining indulged into the vice of various kinds, eventually inclines to the traits and characteristics attributed to it by birth. Human nature, Mencius further asserts, is what links us with the non-human universe, the normative order of heaven. Consequently, human soul has been created with the gifted moral values Nature looks for in human actions in one way or the other. Indeed, the quality of this relationship is such that Mencius is able to claim that â€Å"If one knows one’s nature, one will know heaven† (Makeham 2001). The same has also been preached by Mencius’ predecessor Confucius, and the very notion has always been endorsed and projected by the future philosophers and thinkers in their respective philosophical works. Illustrious moralist and sage of ancient Chinese civilization Confucius had preached virtue and compassion towards humanity without discrimination through his preaching. He submits that where there exists the razor of iniquity, inequality, evil and social injustice in a society, there is least probability of the blossoming of the plant of goodness, charity, honesty and wisdom, and vice versa (Yu 2012). The same was the notion promoted by the distinguished ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who had declared having knowledge of the universal phenomena as a great virtue that protects humans from going astray and

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Essay Example for Free

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Essay High-level radioactive waste is very dangerous, and can remain so for tens of thousands of years before decaying to safe levels. It is highly radioactive and is a major barrier to the expansion of nuclear power. If there is to be a nuclear renaissance, a sophisticated method of dealing with this waste must be refined. This point itself has sparked a surprising number of debates. For example, how do you write danger on a concrete box, when in 5,000 years the word danger may no longer exist? What symbols could we use to let people know to leave it well alone? As you can see from the graph below, the radioactivity of nuclear waste takes about 10 000 years to return to that of the original ore. The black line, indicating the total waste products, is the important one. Accidents Consider the words Chernobyl, Three Mile Island or, more recently, Fukushima. What do you think when think of them? Some people were (are) so terrified of the threat of radiation and various other scary things from previous accidents that even the idea of such things happening again makes them completely averse to nuclear power as a whole. In terms of disadvantages of nuclear power, this is a big one. Whatever improvements in safety the nuclear industry has developed, public opinion may very well rest in these events. Theres no right or wrong answer here. Technically speaking, nuclear power remains one of the safer energy sources, but Fukushima has reminded the world what can happen when something goes wrong. Proliferation Some forms of nuclear reactor, known as breeder reactors produce plutonium, which can, conceivably, be used to make nuclear weapons, most likely in the orm of a dirty bomb. This is a conventional explosive mixed with radioactive material with the intention of spreading the material across a wide area to do even more damage. There are other reactors which do not have this problem, but it is another issue that must be addressed before the possibility of a nuclear future can be taken seriously. In fact, there are reactor designs, and fuels for them, which would also significantly reduce the amount of waste produced. Fuel Nuclear fuels are, physically, even rarer than fossil fuels. Fossil fuels at least are made on Earth, albeit over millions of years. Heavy elements like Uranium are only made as stars die, in supernovas. Our solar system actually formed from the remains of another star, at which point heavier elements were made. Essentially, once theyre gone, theyre gone. Only in particle accelerators can heavier elements be made.

Relationship Between Politics and Sport

Relationship Between Politics and Sport Throughout history, sporting events have always reflected the political and social events that have surrounded them. Canada is not an exception to this fact. Political events such as the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement, and various sporting events such as the Olympics have had a large influence on the world of sports. During the civil rights movement, many African athletes began to participate in sports to help transcend racial barriers. Willie O’Ree, the first black player to ever play in the NHL, was one of the figures that could be compared to Martin Luther King Jr. Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins and his career was reflective of the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, â€Å" †¦one night in Chicago, ORee was butt-ended in the mouth by a Blackhawks player, who, as ORee was picking up his teeth from the ice, stood over him uttering a racist remark† (Burnett, 2007). O’Ree took this kind of abuse for his whole career, an d even though he was the first black player to play in the NHL, it took 30 years for the league to invite him to a single All-Star game (Burnett, 2007). The hate he received was immense, and his calm and quiet demeanor allowed him to ignore the derogatory terms was being called and continued to help contribute to the movement. As the movement began to prove successful in the 1960s, black athletes began to flourish as well. Fergus Arthur Jenkins, an African Canadian athlete who played in the MLB throughout the duration of the movement, was the epitome of the effects the movement had on the world. He is one of the greatest pitchers of all time, and one the less known figures during the time period (Fergie Jenkins Foundation). The main reason why I say he is a representative figure of the movement is because his career began right after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Because of the dates of each event are so close, it can be assumed that Jenkins’ career and the bill symbolized a turning point in history in which people of African descent would begin to be treated as human beings. In addition to Ferguson Jenkins, Harry Jerome was another African Canadian athlete that stood out in his field and was also a symbol of the struggle black people had to go through before receiving proper treatmen t from others. Harry Jerome was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1940 (Barris, 2008). He participated in numerous races throughout his career and set records in the 100m dash and a variety of other events (Barris, 2008). In 1964, he â€Å"participated in the Tokyo Olympics and won a bronze medal in the 100m – dash† (Barris, 2008). This event was very significant as it represented the recent successes of the civil rights movement and his scar symbolized all the hardship that black people had faced as they pursued their dreams to be seen and treated fairly. The civil rights movement produced many athletes of African descent and they in turn represented the world – wide movement. Some of these athletes – Ferguson Jenkins, Willie O’Ree, and Harry Jerome – symbolized the movement and were leaders in their own way. During the women’s rights movement, many of the participants challenged the views of society and changed the world for the better through politics and sports. The Edmonton Grads were a dominant women’s baske tball team and served as a symbol of the progress women have made throughout the movement. â€Å"Beginning as a high-school team, the Grads ruled womensbasketballfrom 1915 to 1940, winning 93% of their games and 49 out of a possible 51 domestic titles† (Macdonald, 2006). The dominance the team had over the sport was relatable to the expansion of women into other fields. For example, as the Grads began to win, women began working and factories and drifting away from the stay-at-home wife stereotype that had held them down for so long. The Grads were also quite relatable to the Famous Five. Since they were playing a sport that was considered to be masculine and trying to challenge that view, the Famous Five were challenging the law that prohibited women from working. After the Dominions Election Act was passed in 1920, women gained the right to vote in federal elections (Massicotte). After this event many women athletes began to truly shine and stand out in their sport. One of the many woman athletes that produced incredible results was Lela Brooks. Brooks won multiple championships in speed skating (Ferguson, 2008). Although she had such a long career, she began to find success in 1923, which was just three years after the passing of the Dominions Election Act. Another successful athlete that flourished after the bill was Ethel Catherwood. She was a member of the 1928 Olympic team and won a gold metal (Barris, 2008). Although, if there was an individual that embodied the women’s rights movement, Fanny Rosenfeld would be that person. Rosenfeld is the most accomplished woman athlete in Canadian history. She was the â€Å"top-ranked female sprinter in Canada, she was also ranked number one in the long jump, shot put, and discus in 1925, and won Canada’s first Olympictrack and fieldmedal (a silver) in 1928† (Marshall, 2013). Throughout the 20s, she challenged the idea that some sports should only be played by men. Many commentators would often say that â€Å"women should stick to sports such as swimming† (Marshall, 2013). To combat this stigma, Rosenfeld played other sports such as hockey and basketball (Rosenberg). To reach the point where women had equal standing with men in terms of sports, many contributions were needed. Some of those major contributions were the Edmonton Grads, the Dominions Election Act, and Fanny Rosenfeld. Without these individuals and events, life would be different for women all over the world. Many sporting events such as the 72 summit series, the 1980 boycott of the Olympics, and the 2014 winter Olympics held in Sochi were all affected by politics. In 1972, Canadian players from the NHL would face off against Russia in an eight game series office hockey (Wilson, 2004). This series mirrored political events occurring at the time as it was not just ice hockey, but a way to decide which political views were more dominant. Russia wanted to prove that communism was superior to democracy, and this opinion was shared by all players on team Russia. On the other hand, Canada believed that they would prevail and prove to Russia that a democratic government was superior. As the games unfolded, Canada won by a single game but realized the threat presented by Russia. In addition, this series was also representative of the war occurring at the time as it took place during the Cold War. These games of hockey would not only decide which country was better at developing talent, but also w hich government was far more effective. In addition, The 1980 Olympics also brought the issues created by Russia out into the forefront. In 1979, Russia invaded Afghanistan, and this did not sit well with President Carter of the United States (Bigelow, 2014). Carter issued a warning to Russia declaring that if they did not leave Afghanistan and return home, the United States would boycott the 1980 Olympics (Bigelow, 2014). Instead of returning, Russia decided to stay and defy the wishes of the US. Because of this, not only did the United States proceed to boycott the event, but so did Canada and a multitude of other countries (Hill, 1999). Later in 1984, Russia decided to boycott the Olympics in Los Angeles (Hill, 1999). The actions taken by both countries were heavily influenced by the Cold War that was occurring at the time. In recent years, the Sochi Winter Olympics were reflective of the views of society and Russia’s out-of-date thinking. In the last decade, society has b ecome more accepting of individuals who do not follow the norm. For example, there have been states in America that have been allowing homosexuals to get married. In Russia, a law recently passed that â€Å"prohibits individuals from promoting homosexuality to minors† (Domi, 2013). This law caused a major uproar in America, and many people wanted a boycott. This desire led to various protests across the United States (Domi, 2013). This outrage also affected athletes as they all insulted the service provided by Russia while they were competing to help support the cause. Many of them took pictures of the dirty conditions they were living in and posted them on the internet, such as dysfunctional toilets. Over the last century, there have been many national sporting events that have influenced and reflected their political surroundings. History and sports go hand-in-hand. Political events such as the Women’s Rights and Civil Rights Movement have all had an effect on Canadi an competition. Even during events such as the Olympics, politics still manage to affect competition. This will continue to be true for the next few years, and the next century. Works Cited Barris, T. (2008, February 18).Ethel catherwood- the canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ethel-catherwood/ Barris, T. (2008, March 24).Harry jerome the canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/harry-jerome/ Bigelow, W. (2014, February 17).The failed u.s. boycott of the 1980 moscow summer olympics. Retrieved from http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-failed-u-s-boycott-of-the-1980-moscow-summer-olympics/5369121 Burnett, T. (2007, December 14).Willie ORee: The first black NHL player. Retrieved from http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2007/12/07/4713520-sun.html Domi, T. (2013, December 18).Obama rightly joins political boycott of winter olympics. Retrieved from http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/12/russia-gay-rightslgbtsochiwinterolympics.html Fergie Jenkins Foundation. (n.d.).Fergie jenkins biography. Retrieved from http://www.fergiejenkins.ca/site/biography Hill, C. R. (1999). The Cold War and the Olympic movement. History Today, 49(1), 19. Macdonald, C. (2006, February 07).Edmonton grads the canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-grads/ Marshall, T. (2013, October 16).The history of canadian women in sport. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-history-of-canadian-women-in-sport/ Massicotte, L. (n.d.).The evolution of the duties to be fulfilled by poll staff with regards to registration and voting on polling day and advance polling days, 1920 to 2012. Retrieved from http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=resdir=cons/comp/evoldocument=introlang=e Rosenberg, D. (n.d.).Fanny bobbie rosenfeld. Retrieved from http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/rosenfeld-fanny Wilson, J. J. (2004). 27 remarkable days: the 1972 summit series of ice hockey between Canada and the Soviet Union. Totalitarian Movements Political Regions, 5(2), 271 280