Battle of Valmy in the French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Valmy was fought September 20, 1792, during the War of the First Coalition (1792-1797). Armies and Commanders French General Charles Franà §ois DumouriezGeneral Franà §ois Christophe Kellermann47,000 men Allies Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick35,000 men Background As revolutionary fervor wracked Paris in 1792, the Assembly moved towards conflict with Austria. Declaring war on April 20, French revolutionary forces advanced into the Austrian Netherlands (Belgium). Through May and June these efforts were easily repulsed by the Austrians, with the French troops panicking and fleeing in the face of even minor opposition. While the French floundered, an anti-revolutionary alliance came together consisting of forces from Prussia and Austria, as well as French à ©migrà ©s. Gathering at Coblenz, this force was led by Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. Considered one of the best generals of the day, Brunswick was accompanied by the King of Prussia, Frederick William II. Advancing slowly, Brunswick was supported to the north by an Austrian force led by the Count von Clerfayt and to the south by Prussian troops under Fà ¼rst zu Hohenlohe-Kirchberg. Crossing the frontier, he captured Longwy on August 23 before advancing to take Verdun on September 2. With these victories, the road to Paris was effectively open. Due to revolutionary upheaval, the organization and command of the French forces in the area were in flux for most of the month. This period of transition finally ended with the appointment of General Charles Dumouriez to lead the Armà ©e du Nord on August 18 and the selection of General Franà §ois Kellermann to command the Armà ©e du Centre on August 27. With the high command settled, Paris directed Dumouriez to halt Brunswicks advance. Though Brunswick had broken through the fortifications of the French frontier, he was still faced with passing through the broken hills and forests of the Argonne. Assessing the situation, Dumouriez elected to use this favorable terrain to block the enemy. Defending the Argonne Understanding that the enemy was moving slowly, Dumouriez raced south to block the five passes through the Argonne. General Arthur Dillon was ordered to secure the two southern passes at Lachalade and les Islettes. Meanwhile, Dumouriez and his main force marched to occupy Grandprà © and Croix-aux-Bois. A smaller French force moved in from the west to hold the northern pass at le Chesne. Pushing west from Verdun, Brunswick was surprised to find fortified French troops at les Islettes on September 5. Unwilling to conduct a frontal assault, he directed Hohenlohe to pressure the pass while he took the army to Grandprà ©. Meanwhile, Clerfayt, who had advanced from Stenay, found only light French resistance at Croix-aux Bois. Driving off the enemy, the Austrians secured the area and defeated a French counterattack on September 14. The loss of the pass forced Dumouriez to abandon Grandprà ©. Rather than retreat west, he elected to hold the southern two passes and assumed a new position to the south. By doing so, he kept the enemys forces divided and remained a threat should Brunswick attempt a dash on Paris. As Brunswick was forced to pause for supplies, Dumouriez had time to establish a new position near Sainte-Menehould. The Battle of Valmy With Brunswick advancing through Grandprà © and descending on this new position from the north and west, Dumouriez rallied all of his available forces to Sainte-Menehould. On September 19, he was reinforced by additional troops from his army as well as by the arrival of Kellermann with men from the Army du Centre. That night, Kellermann decided to shift his position east the next morning. The terrain in the area was open and possessed three areas of raised ground. The first was located near the road intersection at la Lune while the next was to the northwest. Topped by a windmill, this ridge was situated near the village of Valmy and flanked by another set of heights to the north known as Mont Yvron. As Kellermanns men began their movement early on September 20, Prussian columns were sighted to the west. Quickly setting up a battery at la Lune, French troops attempted to hold the heights but were driven back. This action did buy Kellermann sufficient time to deploy his main body on the ridge near the windmill. Here they were aided by Brigadier General Henri Stengels men from Dumouriezs army who shifted north to hold Mont Yvron. Despite the presence of his army, Dumouriez could offer little direct support to Kellermann as his compatriot had deployed across his front rather than on his flank. The situation was further complicated by the presence of a marsh between the two forces. Unable to play a direct role in the fighting, Dumouriez detached units to support Kellermanns flanks as well as to raid into the Allied rear. The morning fog plagued operations but, by midday, it had cleared allowing the two sides to see the opposing lines with the Prussians on the la Lune ridge and the French around the windmill and Mont Yvron. Believing that the French would flee as they had in other recent actions, the Allies began an artillery bombardment in preparation for an assault. This was met by return fire from the French guns. The elite arm of the French army, the artillery, had retained a higher percentage of its pre-Revolution officer corps. Peaking around 1 PM, the artillery duel inflicted little damage due to the long distance (approx. 2,600 yards) between the lines. Despite this, it had a strong impact on Brunswick who saw that the French were not going to break easily and that any advance across the open field between the ridges would suffer heavy losses. Though not in a position to absorb heavy losses, Brunswick still ordered three assault columns formed to test the French resolve. Directing his men forward, he halted the assault when it had moved around 200 paces after seeing that the French were not going to retreat. Rallied by Kellermann they were chanting Vive la nation! Around 2 PM, another effort was made after artillery fire detonated three caissons in the French lines. As before, this advance was halted before it reached Kellermanns men. The battle remained a stalemate until around 4 PM when Brunswick called a council of war and declared, We do not fight here. Aftermath of Valmy Due to the nature of the fighting at Valmy, the casualties were relatively light with the Allied suffering 164 killed and wounded and the French around 300. Though criticized for not pressing the attack, Brunswick was not in a position to win a bloody victory and still be able to continue the campaign. Following the battle, Kellermann fell back to a more favorable position and the two sides began negotiations regarding political issues. These proved fruitless and the French forces began extending their lines around the Allies. Finally, on September 30, Brunswick had little choice but to begin retreating towards the border. Though the casualties were light, Valmy rates as one of the most important battles in history due to the context in which it was fought. The French victory effectively preserved the Revolution and prevented outside powers from either crushing it or forcing it to even greater extremes. The next day, the French monarchy was abolished and on September 22 the First French Republic declared. Sources: History of War: Battle of ValmyBattle of Valmy

The Elections Process And The American Election Process

For a citizen that follows and contributes to the American election process, one of the most important things to them is that they are being represented properly. The whole reason a person votes in the first place is so that they can be represented in decisions being made within the government. If it were not the job of elected officials to represent the people’s word then voting would never happen. This is a hot topic because everyone wants to make sure they are being represented fairly. There have been issues with how minorities, women, and even people of certain beliefs have been represented. This paper is going to focus on the election process and how minorities are being represented in both negative and positive ways. One way that representation can be diminished is through what is called â€Å"Minority Vote Dilution†. Meaning, â€Å"it was harder for minorities to gain representation† (Bowler Segura. 2012.). A way to cause this is through the movement of d istrict boundaries to make the votes unequal from district to district. One way that this happens is through â€Å"Cracking† which is when particular voters are â€Å"spread among a series of districts in order to keep them as small vote blocs within each seat† (Bowler Segura. 2012.). What it really does is cause a certain minority group to seem smaller than they actually are in the population make up. Another way to diminish a groups voting ability is by â€Å"packing† a certain unit of people. According to Bowler Segura this is aShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Election Process in American Politics1875 Words   |  8 PagesThe election process is a long, drawn out one that incorporates numerous stages from the initial steps taken in trying to find a viable candidate for office to the end result that comes out of the Electoral College. The American system is one that is complex and very controversial as the readings have shown. Some have even suggested getting rid of the old institutions which have uniquely defined the American political process. Others have tried to argue that it is our duty to revert back to oldRead MoreThe American Election Process Is Good For The Country1807 Words   |  8 PagesThe American Election Process Ever since the early beginning of America standing as its own individual free country, we annually elect a new leader to run our country for a 4-year term. Every new time to elect a new president, Americans are pressured to go out and vote for their leader that they want to run the country. Somewhere through the many years and elections, people have begun to outcry that the elections are not fair or biased and has raised the question if the way elections are run, isRead MoreCitizens United for Arguments1260 Words   |  6 PagesCourt decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is undemocratic. We affirm. To better the round, we clarify the following: First, the definition of â€Å"election process† ELECTIONS are based on three organizing concepts: equal respect, free choice, and popular sovereignty are the building blocks of fair and just elections. The democratic process should treat all citizens as free and equal persons. As applied to the electoral process this requires that each citizen equal opportunityRead MorePolitical Culture Of The United States1513 Words   |  7 Pagespolitical parties. Finally, they serve as a kind of repository of accumulated cultural traditions. Sometimes constitutions involve the settlement of specific public policy issues. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a priority to protect all American citizens from offensive speech crime.   All have the right to free speech as stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting†¦or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.  (Lovett, 2013 )† It is on thisRead MoreWhy Is Voter Turnout Low in Us1087 Words   |  5 PagesStates Voter Turn-out so Low Question 4)   What are some explanations for why voter turnout is so low in the U.S. compared to other wealthy, literate and democratic countries? INTRODUCTION Voter turnout is the rate by which people vote in elections. The simplest way to calculate a given elections turnout rate is to compare the actual number of voters with the voting-age population. â€Å"Voter turnout in the United States is among the worlds’ lowest.† (E.S. 371) The graph below taken from an articleRead MoreIs America s Voting Equipment s Major Problem?1362 Words   |  6 PagesJessie Sisavat Professor Smith Pols 116 October 31, 2016 Is America’s Voting Equipment’s Major Problem? For several decades, the American people are skeptical if their votes count due to various voting method. The election process is divided with dissatisfaction and inaccuracy in governmental elections. Set from the voters addressing how they vote, it still means a lot to them because it is what gets the people voice heard. There are voters that are uncertain of trusting the candidates that willRead MorePresidential Elections As Part Of A Democratic Process928 Words   |  4 PagesPresidential Election Scholars define democracy in various ways. However, they all agree that democracy is the participation of citizens in a political process without limitations. A democratic political process primarily includes free and fair elections. The essay will examine presidential elections as part of a democratic process. Britain colonized the US, but later they gained their independence, the founders of the democratic United States came up with a system where citizens had power and obligationRead MoreThe Election Process Is Fair1226 Words   |  5 Pagesfor president? The United States election process was created in 1787 and went into action in 1789 by the founding fathers (â€Å"Presidential Elections†). In the first election, two candidates that ran for office included George Washington and John Adams. Through the original election process, George Washington ended up taking office (â€Å"Electoral College†). The election process has changed many times since 1789 to become the current election process. Our election process is fair because the candidatesRead MoreThe American Voting System1427 Words   |  6 PagesThe American voting system is one of the basic pillars of democracy in this country; American citizens benefit from having a direct relationship with their government and t he people who serve the country within it. However, there is a major flaw that prevents the American voting system from achieving its highest level of greatness: the Electoral College. The Electoral College refers to the process in which the President and Vice-President are elected and it assigns â€Å"electors† to each state basedRead MorePresidential Election Of United States1497 Words   |  6 Pages Name Due date Word count: 1596 Presidential Elections Introduction The presidential elections of United States of America take an indirect form where citizens of the U.S who are registered as voters in one of the states in U.S which are usually 50 states, or the District of Columbia, cast ballots for Electoral College members, referred to as electors. These electors then in turn cast direct votes known as electoral votes in their respective state capitals for president and vice president positions

History Of The Computer Industry In America (2573 words) Essay Example For Students

History Of The Computer Industry In America (2573 words) Essay History of the Computer Industry in AmericaOnly once in a lifetime will a new invention come about to touch every aspect of our lives. Such a device that changes the way we work, live, and play is a special one, indeed. A machine that has done all this and more now exists in nearly every business in the U.S. and one out of every two households (Hall, 156). This incredible invention is the computer. The electronic computer has been around for over a half-century, but its ancestors have been around for 2000 years. However, only in the last 40 years has it changed the American society. From the first wooden abacus to the latest high-speed microprocessor, the computer has changed nearly every aspect of peoples lives for the better.The very earliest existence of the modern day computers ancestor is the abacus. These date back to almost 2000 years ago. It is simply a wooden rack holding parallel wires on which beads are strung. When these beads are moved along the wire according to program ming rules that the user must me! morize, all ordinary arithmetic operations can be performed (Soma, 14). The next innovation in computers took place in 1694 when Blaise Pascal invented the first digital calculating machine. It could only add numbers and they had to be entered by turning dials. It was designed to help Pascals father who was a tax collector (Soma, 32). In the early 1800Os, a mathematics professor named Charles Babbage designed an automatic calculation machine. It was steam powered and could store up to 1000 50-digit numbers. Built in to his machine were operations that included everything a modern general-purpose computer would need. It was programmed byand stored data oncards with holes punched in them, appropriately called punch cards. His inventions were failures for the most part because of the lack of precision machining techniques used at the time and the lack of demand for such a device (Soma, 46).After Babbage, people began to lose interest in computers. However, between 1850 and 1900 there were great advances! in mathematics and physics that began to rekindle the interest (Osborne, 45). Many of these new advances involved complex calculations and formulas that were very time consuming for human calculation. The first major use for a computer in the U.S. was during the 1890 census. Two men, Herman Hollerith and James Powers , developed a new punched-card system that could automatically read information on cards without human intervention (Gulliver, 82). Since the population of the U.S. was increasing so fast, the computer was an essential tool in tabulating the totals.These advantages were noted by commercial industries and soon led to the development of improved punch-card business-machine systems by International Business Machines (IBM), Remington-Rand, Burroughs, and other corporations. By modern standards the punched-card machines were slow, typically processing from 50 to 250 cards per minute, with each card holding up to 80 digits. At the time, however, punched cards were an enormous step forward; they provided a means of input, output, and memory storage on a massive scale. For more than 50 years following their first use, punched-card machines did the bulk of the worlds business computing and a good portion of the computing work in science (Chposky, 73). By the late 1930s punched-card machine techniques had become so well established and reliable that Howard Hathaway Aiken, in collaboration with engineers at IBM, undertook construction of a large automatic digital computer based on standard IBM electromechanical parts. Aikens machine, called the Harvard Mark I, handled 23-digit numbers and could perform all four arithmetic operations. Also, it had special built-in programs to handled logarithms and trigonometric functions. The Mark I was controlled from prepunched paper tape. Output was by card punch and electric typewriter. It was slow, requiring 3 to 5 seconds for a multiplication, but it was fully automatic and could complete long computations without human intervention (Chposky, 103). The outbreak of World War II produced a desperate need for computing capability, especially for the military. New weapons systems were produced which needed trajectory tables and other essential data. In 1942, John P. Eckert, John W. Mauchley, and their associates at the University of Pennsylvania decided to build a high-speed electronic computer to do the job. This machine became known as ENIAC, for Electrical Numerical Integrator And Calculator. It could multiply two numbers at the rate of 300 products per second, by finding the value of each product from a multiplication table stored in its memory. ENIAC was thus about 1,000 times faster than the previous generation of computers (Dolotta, 47).ENIAC used 18,000 standard vacuum tubes, occupied 1800 square feet of floor space, and used about 180,000 watts of electricity. It used punched-card input and output. The ENIAC was very difficult to program because one had to essentially re-wire it to perform whatever task he wanted the compu ter to do. It was, however, efficient in handling the particular programs for which it had been designed. ENIAC is generally accepted as the first successful high-speed electronic digital computer and was used in many applications from 1946 to 1955 (Dolotta, 50). Mathematician John von Neumann was very interested in the ENIAC. In 1945 he undertook a theoretical study of computation that demonstrated that a computer could have a very simple and yet be able to execute any kind of computation effectively by means of proper programmed control without the need for any changes in hardware. Von Neumann came up with incredible ideas for methods of building and organizing practical, fast computers. These ideas, which came to be referred to as the stored-program technique, became fundamental for future generations of high-speed digital computers and were universally adopted (Hall, 73).The first wave of modern programmed electronic computers to take advantage of these improvements appeared in 1947. This group included computers using random access memory (RAM), which is a memory designed to give almost constant access to any particular piece of information (Hall, 75). These machines had punched-card or punched-tape input and output devices and RAMs of 1000-word capacity. Physically, they were much more compact than ENIAC: some were about the size of a grand piano and required 2500 small electron tubes. Loyalty definition paper EssayA new revolution in computer hardware was now well under way, involving miniaturization of computer-logic circuitry and of component manufacture by what are called large-scale integration techniques. In the 1950s it was realized that scaling down the size of electronic digital computer circuits and parts would increase speed and efficiency and improve performance. However, at that time the manufacturing methods were not good enough to accomplish such a task. About 1960 photoprinting of conductive circuit boards to eliminate wiring became highly developed. Then it became possible to build resistors and capacitors into the circuitry by photographic means (Rogers, 142). In the 1970s entire assemblies, such as adders, shifting registers, and counters, became available on tiny chips of silicon. In the 1980s very large scale integration (VLSI), in which hundreds of thousands of transistors are placed on a single chip, became increasingly common. Many compani es, some new to the computer field, introduced in the 1970s programmable minicomputers supplied with software packages. The size-reduction trend continued with the introduction of personal computers, which are programmable machines small enough and inexpensive enough to be purchased and used by individuals (Rogers, 153). One of the first of such machines was introduced in January 1975. Popular Electronics magazine provided plans that would allow any electronics wizard to build his own small, programmable computer for about $380 (Rose, 32). The computer was called the Altair 8800O. Its programming involved pushing buttons and flipping switches on the front of the box. It didnt include a monitor or keyboard, and its applications were very limited (Jacobs, 53). Even though, many orders came in for it and several famous owners of computer and software manufacturing companies got their start in computing through the Altair. For example, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, founders of Apple Computer, built a much cheaper, yet more productive version of the Altair and turned their hobby into a business (Fluegelman, 16).After the introduction of the Altair 8800, the personal computer industry became a fierce battleground of competition. IBM had been the computer industry standard for well over a half-century. They held their position as the standard when they introduced their first personal computer, the IBM Model 60 in 1975 (Chposky, 156). However, the newly formed Apple Computer company was releasing its own personal computer, the Apple II (The Apple I was the first computer designed by Jobs and Wozniak in Wozniaks garage, which was not produced on a wide scale). Software was needed to run the computers as well. Microsoft developed a Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) for the IBM computer while Apple developed its own software system (Rose, 37). Because Microsoft had now set the software standard for IBMs, every software manufacturer had to make their software compatible with Microsofts. This would lead to huge profits for Microsoft (Cringley, 163). The main goal of the computer manufacturers was to make the computer as affordable as possible while increasing speed, reliability, and capacity. Nearly every computer manufacturer accomplished this and computers popped up everywhere. Computers were in businesses keeping track of inventories. Computers were in colleges aiding students in research. Computers were in laboratories making complex calculations at high speeds for scientists and physicists. The computer had made its mark everywhere in society and built up a huge industry (Cringley, 174). The future is promising for the computer industry and its technology. The speed of processors is expected to double every year and a half in the coming years. As manufacturing techniques are further perfected the prices of computer systems are expected to steadily fall. However, since the microprocessor technology will be increasing, its higher costs will offset the drop in price of older processors. In other words, the price of a new computer will stay about the same from year to year, but technology will steadily increase (Zachary, 42). Since the end of World War II, the computer industry has grown from a standing start into one of the biggest and most profitable industries in the United States. It now comprises thousands of companies, making everything from multi-million dollar high-speed supercomputers to printout paper and floppy disks. It employs millions of people and generates tens of billions of dollars in sales each year (Malone, 192). Surely, the computer has impacted every aspect of peoples lives. It has affected the way people work and play. It has made everyones life easier by doing difficult work for people. The computer truly is one of the most incredible inventions in history.

The President Paper Essays - United States, Government,

The President Paper America election in 2000 raised a debate between democrat and republican and ultimately the American human beings selected a modern chief Mr. George w. Bush. President Bush in reality defined foreign policy desires and goals. I've seen and pay attention our pricey President Bush foreign coverage after Sep 11. Following this, Bush has installed its pinnacle priorities in overseas coverage. He claims that an acts in the authorities to beautify the global community via negotiation and cooperation. Likewise President Bush observation "it is to inspire and be inspired by way of unique countries to artwork collectively within the course of a nonviolent and rich destiny" (BBC data). Bush, in addition to our society, feels the president ought to be robust- especially in international politics and policies. At the same time as the United States became attacked Sep 11, 2001, the humans appeared to the president to guide, and in essence, are seeking out revenge. Executive power is vested in the President by Congress with the advice and consent of the Senate so that he may preserve protect and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States. The principal responsibility of the President is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." By using these words, the Constitution does not require the President to personally enforce the law; rather, officers subordinate to the President may perform such duties. The Constitution, empowers the President to ensure the faithful execution of the laws made by Congress. Congress may itself terminate such appointments, by impeachment, and restrict the President. The President's responsibility is to execute whatever instructions he is given by the Congress. Bodies such as the War Claims Commission, the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Trade Commissionall quasi-judicial often have direct Congressional oversight. Congress regularly writes regulation to restrain the government officials to the overall performance in their duties as criminal through the laws Congress passes. In INS v. Chadha (1983), the high-quality courtroom determined (a) the prescription for legislative motion in artwork. requiring all legislative powers to be vested in a Congress including a Senate and a house of Representatives and requiring every invoice exceeded via the residence and Senate, earlier than becoming law, to be provided to the President, and, if he disapproves, to be repassed thru -thirds of the Senate and residence -- represents the Framers' choice that the legislative electricity of the Federal authorities be exercised in accord with a unmarried, finely wrought and exhaustively taken into consideration system. This method is a crucial part of the constitutional layout for the separation of powers. Further rulings clarified the case; even each houses acting collectively can't override executive vetoes wi thout a 2/3 majority. Law can also constantly prescribe policies governing authorities' officials. So as to complete the challenge. The U.S. national security method "is primarily based on a fairly American internationalism that reflects the union of our values and our countrywide hobbies. The aim of this method is to help make the world no longer simply safer but better" (US, 1). While handling topics of foreign coverage, results within the makings of a defense coverage, which is taken into consideration as a subset of overseas coverage. Sturdy navy capability is an important manner in managing overseas coverage because of the reality that nations along with North Korea, China, and Russia all pose an ability danger to ruin the use of "weapons of mass destruction."(new York Times) while danger is placed on U.S. fatherland safety and someplace else, America defense coverage can step in; however; protection policy can grow to be high priced due to reality of utilizing the army will result in more navy spending in order to to complete the mission. ReferencesACHARYA, U. D. (2012). Denver Journal of International Law Policy. INTERNATIONAL LAWLESSNESS, INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND THE PROBLEM OF TERRORISM: A CONUNDRUM OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND U.S. FOREIGN POLICY, 144-166. Bidden, V. (2007). The 9/11 Terror Attacks. Mankato, MN: The Creative Company. Brydon, S. (2004)

The Initial Temperature Shock free essay sample

The water appeared crystalline and ice-cold the first time I readied myself to jump off the high dive. I knew I wouldn’t die, yet an intangible force restrained me until I closed my eyes, bent my knees, propelled myself off the board, and cut through the surface. The no man’s land between the board and the water was behind me. In middle school, I was the girl who walked through the halls with her eyes facing the floor, who hesitated to speak in class out of fear of being noticed. I once believed myself unlikely to join a club, let alone lead one, and couldn’t imagine speaking on stage or introducing myself to a stranger. I’ve come a long way since then, and my motto is, If you think you cant do something, prove yourself wrong. Ever since I realized the most challenging experiences can also be the most worthwhile, I have set out to prove I can do what I once believed myself incapable of accomplishing. We will write a custom essay sample on The Initial Temperature Shock or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Each ice-cold pool is an experience I now embrace. The path of my journey toward finding my voice was paved with printer paper. When I joined my school newspaper in 10th grade, I learned that investigating my school’s goings-on required me to be inquisitive, outgoing, and constantly aware of my surroundings. I discovered an entirely new dimension of Friends Academy. Who would have known that my teachers had such unique views on the environment, or that the school psychologist had so much insight into the social scene? I did more investigating this summer, when my print and photojournalism classes required me to approach and interview people—often complete strangers—whom I would not have otherwise gotten to know. I even spent an hour one day in a shoe store, documenting a salesman’s life through photography. Throughout these experiences, I learned not only about the topics of my articles, but also that, if I opened my eyes just a little wider, countless perspective-altering interactions awaited me. This confidence has led me to openly question what I learn in class as well. The curious toddler in me lives on, but she now has a voice. My favorite question is â€Å"Why?† because it has the power to get to the essence, the true meaning, and the origin of everything. I have known for some time that you can’t divide by zero, that metals lose electrons, and that the ancient Greeks founded democracy, but why? When I discover the answer, it’s almost never what I expected. Each answer opens a new door leading to a room of â€Å"whys† and â€Å"why nots,† and then another, and another, until I am several doors closer in my life-long expedition toward truth. Now, â€Å"why† is my guide as I constantly dive into new explorations and adventures. Why don’t we â€Å"be the change we want to see in the world,† and how can we? Why is passive resistance more effective than violence? Why are there so few women in politics? These kinds of questions have compelled me to donate blood, try out for school plays, enter artwork in exhibitions, travel to South America, and read original poems for audiences. Each â€Å"interview† with life brings me closer to understanding the answers to my questions. I know that the greatest treasures lie at the bottom of the deep end, and that life’s most fulfilling moments take place out of my comfort zone, off the diving board, and only because of each gigantic leap of faith. My next leap will be college, and I feel excited and extremely well prepared to dive off, cut through that no man’s land, and triumph over the initial temperature shock.

The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea The Old Man and the Sea is a story of a modest old man and his struggle for the greatness. The plot is based on life of Santiago, an elderly Cuban fisherman who is unlucky in his fishing escapades. He is so unlucky that parents of a young boy Manolin, who wanted to fish with an old man and learn the skills from him, forbid him doing this and ask to sail with more successful young sailors.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on The Old Man and the Sea specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The author was on the ground of the World War I, and a casualty of the war may be seen as the reason behind the choice of themes. Bravery, courage, pride and honor are virtues that many survivors of the war possessed. Santiago’s move to set out to sea all alone in order to redeem his reputation among his people is a bold move (Hemingway 22). However, Hemmingway, the author, describes the boy as the one who admires the old man despit e his parents discourage him from joining Santiago in his fishing, he still continues to care for the old man. This essay seeks to make a detailed review of the story, â€Å"The Old Man and the Sea†, its themes and relations to the real world. The plot brings out the boy as being very caring. He is shown in the way he helps the fisherman to carry his fishing gear and discussing the latest happenings in the American baseball. Despite the old man’s unsuccessful fishing trips, the book portrays him as having a strong determination to achieve his aim. In a highly sequential flow of events, the book explains how Santiago sails further away from familiar territory and ventures into the Gulf Stream. The author goes ahead to explain how the old man gets lucky and catches a big fish known as Marlin at midday. However, in a twist to the story, Santiago is unable to pull the gigantic animal to his boat, and the fish starts pulling. The story shows the reader an image of an enduri ng man who is overcome by fear trying to save his life by all means. It is presented when Santiago struggles to bear the strain of the line hooking the massive fish with his shoulders. He does this in order to avoid tearing the boat apart and tries to hook on it. The story explains how an old man pulls the line for three days as the fish swims with the old man enduring this pain (Hemingway 40). In this day to day sequence of events, Santiago is presented to the reader as an affectionate man who, despite the strain that the fish is putting him through, sees it as a brother in endurance, suffering, strength and resolve. Testimony to this, (the way Santiago feels it); the people who are going to eat this fish are not entitled to such greatness.Advertising Looking for book review on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is on the third day that we see Santiago is getting his catch into the boat finally. It is the evidence of Santiagos endurance and determination because, according to the story, this is the biggest fish that Santiago has ever caught after number of unsuccessful trials (Bloom, 150). In addition, the story brings out the anti-climax of Santiago’s happiness. It explains how Santiago struggles with the attacks of sharks that were attracted by the blood trails left from the fish. Hemmingway creates an image of a boat deep in the sea surrounded by sharks in the mind of the reader. This is where the courage of the old man is brought out. He is seen trying to deter the Sharks from attacking him by all possible means. For example, he fights them with a spear made by lashing a dagger to an oar and beating them up with the boats filler (Gerry 80). The old man’s courage and creativity are paid back as he manages to kill several sharks. However, he is left with nothing, as sharks manage to devour his catch leaving him with a skeleton, head and a tail. The man regr ets his decision to go out far into the sea. He stumbles back home completely worn out and goes to sleep (Hemingway 20). Despite loosing the fish, the old man achieves greatness without realizing it. The reader understands this when reading about tourists who watch a giant Skeleton with amusement the following morning. Two themes can be brought out from this story. The first one is the theme of honor. Throughout the story, Santiago is shown as a person swimming against the tide trying not to be defeated. He is shown as a person who is struggling with the power of the sea without catching any fish for eighty seven days, but breaks his record by catching the largest fish ever caught in all his years of fishing. He is seen as fighting defeat by sailing into deep waters; he is struggling with a marlin for three days, and fights off shark attacks. This theme shows that Santiago and Marlin display virtues of courage and strong will, and they are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to u phold them. Santiago’s story does not provides him with the opportunity to change man’s place in the world, rather it enables him meet his most dignified destiny (Hemingway, 40).Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on The Old Man and the Sea specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The other theme discussed in this story is the theme of pride as the source of greatness and determination. Santiago’s character is created similar to all heroes of the world. In addition to coming out as strong, courageous and morally certain, they all possess a fatal flaw and pride. This leads to their downfall despite all the admiration that they receive. Santiago, on the other hand, is portrayed as being proof that it is pride that pushes great men towards greatness. For example, Santiago admits to killing Marlin out of pride. Thus, pride becomes the source of Santiago’s strength. Without this pride, he would neithe r have ventured deep into the sea, nor would he have struggled with the giant fish for three consecutive days. Pride drives the old man to transcend the forces of nature and come out triumphant (Gerry 50). In conclusion, it can be argued that this book tries to explain human nature. It explains that we are beings who, in most cases, are driven by pride while trying to achieve our goals in life. In addition, it tries to bring out the fact that pride does not always lead to downfall. Hemmingway illustrates that victory is not always a qualification for honor. It is brought about when one has the pride to struggle until the very end. In the case of Santiago, the glory and pride come not as a result of battle, but from his pride and determination to fight. Bloom, Harold. Earnest Hemingway’s the Old Man and Sea. New York: InfoBase publishing, 2008. Print. Gerry, Brenner. The Old Man and the Sea: Story of a Common Man. Michigan: University of Michigan, 1991. Print. Hemingway, Erne st. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2002. Print.

Forms of Business Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Forms of Business Organizations - Essay Example These characteristics of the sole proprietorship distinguish it from a corporation and a limited liability company. A sole proprietor, for example, owns and manages a sole proprietorship, a feature that is different from observations in corporations and limited liability companies. More than one person, for example, owns a corporation or a limited liability company. These owners are called shareholders while the owner of a sole proprietorship is called the sole proprietor. Board of directors who are distinct from the businesses’ owners manages corporations while limited liability companies’ management is flexible. Another difference between the three forms of businesses is the owners’ liability over the organizations’ debts. While a sole proprietor is liable for all of the business’ liabilities, corporations and limited liability companies’ owners have limited liabilities that are restricted to their share contributions. Another difference be tween the forms of business organizations is the legal requirements to which they are subjected. While a sole proprietorship only requires the filing of the enterprise’s name, corporation, and limited liability companies must be registered. The organizations’ tax liabilities are also treated differently. While a sole proprietorship is taxed as a natural person through the proprietor’s income, a limited liability company is taxed at the business organization’s level while a corporation’s taxation involves a double taxation in which the organization’s earnings are taxed and shareholders are taxed on their dividends. The organizations also differ in their structural requirements.