Napoleon: A Leader Or Dictator. Essay -- essays research papers

Napoleon: A Leader or Dictator. There are never ending inquiries on the nature of Napoleonic power. But reason can prove to one that the Age of Napoleon was infact a time of democratic rule. Through Political, Social, and Economical reforms, Napoleon Bonaparte did not only transcend France, but he changed the course of history for Europe and the World today. To begin, Napoleon proved himself a democratic leader thorough many Political reforms. In 1798-99, Napoleon, with the directory's blessing, he launched his Egyptian Expedition. It was a military disaster, but Napoleon came to France a hero and saved France from the second coalition. In 1799, he staged his "Coup D'etat," and setting up the Consulate, government body representing a country in another host country, with himself as First Consul. At first this does not seem just, but Napoleon then submitted his new constitution to a Plebiscite, a vote of the people, and it was approved by a vast majority. Although the constitution gave almost complete power to the First Consul, it was the people of France who voted , as a democratic society would, to enforce this new structure of government. In 1802, Napoleon again held a Plebiscite, and was named to be First Consul for life. Also, in 1804, he submitted to Plebiscite a new constitution, ending the consulate and establishing the First French Empire. Also showing Democratic Political advancement, Napoleon signed The Concordat of 1801 with the Catholic Church. He t...

john adams revolution Essay -- essays papers

john adams revolution John Adams explains how the revolution began when he says, "The Revolution was effected before the war commenced (37-38). The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people, "proving there was a feeling of revolution as soon as people left England to come to the New World" (25). The duel for America created a restlessness among the independent minded Americans. However, mother England saw the necessity of holding her colonies. Eventually, tension is felt between the two sides, resulting in colonial unity and the sovereignty of a new republic. There were many causes and effects of the American Revolution. There were many causes that sparked America's new sense of individuality (p.26). One of the first causes was the increased confidence in military strength, which caused a rise in colonial self-esteem. This increase in self-esteem was a result of the valuable gained from the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War, also shattered the myth of British invincibility, showing the colonials that anything was possible. Another cause of the colonials sense of individuality was that friction between Britain and the colonies rose. American settlers felt that they deserved credit rather than contempt for risking their lives to secure a new world empire, where as the British refused to even recognize any American militia commission about the rank of a captain. Also, British official were further distressed by the reluctance of the colonials to support the common cause wholeheartedly. Also, individuality was a sense in the minds of the colonists the day they set foot on the new continent. Individuality began with the fact that to emigrate was to revel, and those who went to the New World, were in fact rebels because of the distance they put between themselves and Britain. Also, the distance between the New World and Britain, instigated individuality because of the long distance to travel between both places; it left the colonies both physically and spiritually separated from the New World. The colonies knew that distance weakens authority, but great distances weaken authority even more. The American environment also nurtured the feelings of independence because of the unchanging surroundings of England, coming to the New World offered a change of pace for the colonies because they now had their own world to ma... ...nies came together for one common cause and they weren't going to back down" (97). Finally, the revolution and the war tremendously effected America. One of the most significant results of the revolution and war on America was the signing of the Declaration of Independence in which the signers pledged all that they had or believed in to protect their independence. The Declaration of Independence stated what to ideal government was and what to colonies intended on doing to ensure the best possible environment and opportunities for years to come. Another effect of the revolution and war is that the United States borders were extended to Florida and the Mississippi River. As Thomas Jefferson started, by assembling such prestige groups of men, we have learned more and will continue to learn from these men's examples, rather than the examples of armies. In conclusion, the American Revolution did not radically change the entire political or social framework. People went on with their everyday lives, undisturbed by what was gong on. However, the revolution did help America to evolve into an independent nation, which could now live fearlessly knowing that anything was possible.

Black Beauty Book Report Essay

Some say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. This cliche holds appropriately true for Black Beauty, a novel written and popularized by the crippled writer Anna Sewell (1877). The book tells about the life story of a horse. It answers a person’s curiosity about how a horse feels while surviving the cruelty of men. A heart-wrenching, beautiful, and enlightening tale and animal autobiography, the book gives life and voice to Black Beauty, a majestic horse. Quite believable and unsentimental yet a great read book depicts the life cycle of a horse which, just like any other being that God created, deserves and expects proper treatment from people whom horses regard with respect and unconditional affection. The book revolves around the life of the main character, a very wise horse named Black Beauty. The sufferings and misfortunes of Black Beauty made him rebel against the cruel humans. Some characters of the book include Duchness, the mother of Black Beauty; Ginger a very independent horse; and Merrylegs, the good friend of Black Beauty who has a big love for humans. For the rest of his life, Black Beauty has been put into care of various owners who subjected him to different jobs—from being a riding horse on a country estate to a cab horse in the community. Although he always suffers from the harsh treatment of humans, the strength, gentle mood, and fine inherent aptitude of Black Beauty made him survive. Black Beauty is a true-to-life animal story book that is told from the eyes of the horse, not from a reader’s perspective. Sewell’s (1877) book is an unusual narrative presentation which uses a horse as the first-person narrator as if the horse was the one who actually wrote the book. Black Beauty was considered to be the first book that employed the genre of animal autobiography which was previously seen in a limited fashion. The manner of displaying the literal substance of an animal as an animal itself rather than being presented based from human traits was adapted by other books with related story plots (Napierkowski, 1998). In writing the book, Sewell (1877) aimed at advocating the humane and suitable treatment of horses. Hence, Black Beauty was recognized as the only writing in the literary history with the greatest impact or influence on the treatment of animals. As a result, the book has created and paved the way for a legislation that promotes the welfare of horses. It further altered public orientation about animal pain as well as the conventional and popular activities perceived as the ones that induce suffering for horses (Napierkowski, 1998). A story told using the language and means of communication of a horse, the book tells how Black Beauty was treated with affection and respect when he was a young and healthy horse. It also illustrates how the horse fell into sickness and despair as he was passed from different careless owners. He received a lot of healthy pieces of advice from his mother during his youth. These lectures by his mother laid down the heart of the book and were used by Black Beauty as his life plan as he was passed down from one master to another, all of whom possess different, contrasting personalities—good, cruel and foolish. This first ever full-length book narrated from a horse’s perspective and emotions is a sorrowful story of both the malicious and accidental cruelties that animals receive from the hands of their masters or owners. It is also a book of aesthetic literary work that can bring the reader from the wonders and beauty of an ordinary night in a country community to the power-laced world of Victorian London in the nineteenth century. With its captivating but realistic presentation of the life of an extraordinary horse, the book was able to capture not just the hearts of the young readers but of adults as well. This is because the book generally portrays some similarity to the lives that people and horses experience—that both beings suffer cruelties and happiness. This book helped to the end human cruelty to horses and other animals. It signaled the formation of various animal-rights movements and forced more humane and justified treatment of human cabbies in London and the rest of the world. References Napierkowski, M. R. (1998). Black Beauty: Introduction. Novels for Students, 0. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from eNotes database. Sewell, A. (1877). Black Beauty. Norwich, England: Jarrolds & Sons.

A long walk home Essay

The whipping wind tossed and hurled the icy rain in countless directions, saturating the now shiny country cliffs. The tall huddles of trees were disrobed; leaving them exposed and stripped of their summer coats. Rays from the sun, were banished by the copious clouds that filled the once blue skies, and the raging storm antagonised the ocean until its fury could be heard from afar. Emerging from the evergreen woods, clinging vehemently to his school bag and protective coat, stood a young, well-mannered lad. This lad went by the name of Jack. Jack was a sprightly, yet gracious boy, tall, lean and of medium build, his skin was fresh and his eyes sparkled with a loveable mischief, which would captivate and sway any mother. Jack walked steadily against the elements, homeward bound. The wind bit at his flesh, like an adder bites its victims. He tugged at his hood, hiding himself from the driving unforgiving wind. And it was for this reason, this reason alone that Jack decided to take the short cut through the steep, sheltered cliffs. Read more:  Heavy School Bags Essay As the day closed in, Jack became ill at ease with his own redirected route. Oh! He had climbed the cliffs before, but never in these weather conditions, and certainly not this late in the evening, he knew oh so well, that if he didn’t make haste, the night would close before he reached the top. As luck would have it, the weather abated, the rain had eased to a mere drizzle, the wind to a light breeze. And so he made his way carefully and cautiously up the steep winding cliffs. He was nearing the top, when he suddenly realised he had taken a wrong turn, the path, such as it was, had petered out, leaving a very tricky way forward indeed; across slippery rocks and shingle; with a sheer drop either side. But, if he were to turn back now, it would be hours before he reached his destination; his parents would be gripped in the throws of panic. So, resolute and unrelenting, Jack continued along his arduous mission, until he reached a point from where he could no longer proceed, retreat offered no solution. Jacks dilemma seemed mountainous; there seemed no easy exit. The day’s light was diminishing rapidly. Jacks panic gripped him tightly; he needed to reach the top before the light faded. He scrutinized his location, scanning for any signs of help. Just then, a voice, a sweet friendly voice belonging to a girl, filled the air. â€Å"Are you alright there? You look as if you are in a bit of a pickle, would you like a hand?† Jacks anguished eyes searched for the source of these utterances, he saw nothing. Did his ears deceive him? Was it the wind playing tricks on him? â€Å"Hey! Don’t look so shocked and worried,† Came the sweet voice once more. â€Å"Who is that?† Spluttered Jack nervously, â€Å"where are you hiding?† â€Å"I’m here silly.† And there, in front of Jack, true enough, stood a girl about the age of himself, her wavy, blonde hair flowed to her waist, she was waif like, pale in complexion, slightly gaunt, but her piercing blue eyes sent out a radiation of warmth. She walked sure-footedly across the rocks towards Jack. † Follow me, I’ll show you the way,† whispered the girl, † that is, if you want to?† The girl offered her hand to Jack, Jack hesitated, she seemed friendly enough, but he really didn’t know her. â€Å"Honestly!† giggled the girl. † I wont bite you.† With that, they exchanged smiles, held hands and continued on their way, the girl obviously knowing the cliffs well, so assured did she place her feet. As they neared the top of the cliff, the boy asked. â€Å"Do you ever get scared, in case you fall?† â€Å"Oh no!† said the girl, â€Å"I fell once, I will never let that happen again†. â€Å"Were you hurt when you fell?† queried Jack sincerely. † It could have been very serious.† † What happened?† The girl sighed deeply, â€Å"I too got lost once. If it weren’t for this stranger, I surly would have died. He offered his helpful hand to me, but as I reached out, I lost my footing and slipped, I ending up clinging to the edge of the cliff.† † That must have been so scary!† exclaimed Jack. † It was, but scarier than that, was the fact that the stranger disappeared right after rescuing me.† † How odd! Maybe he was a ghost,† chuckled Jack. â€Å"Ghost? I don’t believe in ghosts,† said the girl, plainly amused by Jacks comments. † Neither do I,† said Jack defensively, in an attempt to mask his fears. Embarrassed at this, Jack thanked the girl profusely, bid her farewell, and continued his journey home. â€Å"Ghosts!† said the girl as she watched him leave. â€Å"What a peculiar notion.† Most close-knit neighbourhoods have strange ghost stories, as it happened, this community was not unusual in that fact. As this urban- legend would have it, the cliffs were inhabited by a ghost, a ghost who lead people to their deaths, an offering of a helping hand soon saw those who trusted it, plunged fatally off the treacherous cliffs. Was this just a legend to stop foolish children climbing the cliffs and hurting themselves? Or, was it something, far more supernatural? What do you think? Jack never saw the girl ever again.

Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 14

On Friday Winfield took Damon and me to get fitted for a custom suit. A visit to Pinotto's Tailoring might have been fun at some other point in my life – as it had been the night I went shopping with Lexi in New Orleans. Pasquale Pinotto was a master of his craft, descended from a long line of tailors to kings and queens of Europe. With his pince-nez glasses and chalk and measuring tape around his neck, he could have been someone out of a fairy tale. I enjoyed trying to speak the few words of Italian I knew to him; he took pleasure in it as well, though he corrected my accent. Damon, of course, pretended that he only wanted to speak English now that he was in America – which is how he got around the tailor's delight at meeting a fellow countryman. â€Å"Look at this.† Damon held up a bolt of scarlet red silk to his face. â€Å"We could have our jackets lined with it. Doesn't it just bring out the color in my lips? Or†¦ Lydia's neck?† He moved it to the side, just about where the fang wounds would have been on him. Winfield looked confused. â€Å"She has taken to wearing scarves around her neck, lately. Is that what you mean? It's dashed peculiar – she never used to.† Damon flicked him a quick look, a flash of surprise and annoyance so fast only I caught it. It was interesting that Mr. Sutherland noticed the subtle changes occurring around him, even if he was ultimately powerless against Damon's compulsion. Although any safety the rich old man had was in staying completely ignorant of my brother's schemes. I leaned against the wall for support, tension exhausting me. I felt claustrophobic among all the rolls of expensive fabric and labyrinthine rooms of mirrors and sewing machines, as trapped in that room as I was in my life. Mr. Sutherland made his way to a chair to rest his ponderous bulk. He seemed a touch fidgety – he kept reaching for his cigar, but he was not allowed to smoke one of his famous cigars in the atelier, as the smoke would ruin the fabric. â€Å"Now here is some cloth I am thinking you will like,† Signor Pinotto said, presenting us with black wool crepe so fine and soft it might have been silk. â€Å"I get it from a tiny village in Switzerland. They work†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Leave the cloth to me,† Winfield said, twirling an unlit cigar in his hand. â€Å"I know the business. Let the young men pick out whatever style they want.† Damon started looking through the jackets, pulling one out and holding it against him to see how it fit. â€Å"In this morning coat and that black crepe, we'll look like real creatures of the night,† Damon observed. â€Å"Don't you think so, Stefan?† â€Å"Yes, yes we will,† I agreed stonily. â€Å"Here, try this on.† Damon tossed me a smaller version of the jacket. Dutifully, I took off my own and put it on. The jacket fit me well except for being too big in the shoulders and chest. Damon was distracted by the tailor and Winfield, discussing patterns and linings and buttons. It occurred to me in that moment that I could leap out the window and run away. Would my brother actually carry through on all of his threats? Would he really kill the Sutherlands – or worse? But then I thought of the message in blood and realized I would never let the world find out the answer to that question. I wanted no more deaths on my conscience. â€Å"Is that the sort of thing young men prance around town in these days?† Winfield asked, frowning at my jacket. â€Å"I've never really been a – what did you call it? – ‘creature of the night.'† Damon gave him a cold smile. â€Å"Never say never.† And then Damon was suddenly standing next to me in front of the mirror, buttoning up his jacket and fluffing out the tails. Very assiduously he fixed mine as well. â€Å"Well, would you look at that,† he said to our reflections, putting an arm around my shoulders. â€Å"We could almost be brothers.† â€Å"We were brothers at one time,† I hissed so quietly that only Damon's highly tuned ears could hear. â€Å"Though you are now as alien to me as the devil himself.† â€Å"Eh?† Winfield looked up. â€Å"You do resemble each other a little. The†¦ hair. And the†¦ face.† He waved a hand vaguely at us. Then he smiled widely. â€Å"I'll have a whole set of matching grandchildren! Dozens of them, dandling on my knees.† Damon grinned. â€Å"Absolutely. I plan on having a large family, Mr. Sutherland. It's important that my bloodline goes on.† â€Å"You're really pushing it,† I said. â€Å"I haven't even started,† he whispered, smiling. â€Å"Oh really? Then what was that message you left for me in blood?† I said. Damon's forehead crinkled. â€Å"Message?† â€Å"Actually, I rather like the scarlet.† Winfield held a bolt of the fabric in his hands, and didn't seem to notice the tension in the air. â€Å"It's perfect. Damon DeSangue – bloodred, or of blood, right?† Damon looked surprised. I was taken off guard, too. â€Å"I speak four languages, boys,† Winfield said with a bit of a growl in his grin. â€Å"And can read another four. I-tal-ian is just one.† So Sutherland wasn't quite the buffoon he appeared to be. There were layers in him, and of course there had to be for such a successful businessman. â€Å"And speaking of languages, ho bisogno di vino, something to wet my throat. I brought something from my own cellar, a fantastic amontillado. Care to join me?† â€Å"I really could drain a good Sutherland dry just about now,† Damon said gamely, clapping me on the shoulder like our future father-in-law did. I slumped in despair. When we'd first become vampires, I'd wanted nothing more than to spend eternity with my brother. But now I couldn't wait to be rid of him.

Labour Markets, Wages and Industrial Relations

Telecommuting is going to change the landscape of labour for years to come. As a matter of fact, the very notion of a job is going to change. A job will be something one takes home to do in the intervals between football matches and household duties, not an activity that reshapes one’s day. Such changes will trigger changes in other aspects of work. Thus, trade union participation and union power will most probably be reduced. A great part of this influence is based in personal interaction. It is much easier to recruit a person to become a member of the union through direct personal contact than through means such as e-mail. Trade union leaders will turn into virtual figures rather than living beings in flesh and blood, and people will feel less affiliated with the union. Besides, as the authors point out, there are reasons to expect an inflow of workers into labour who have never or seldom had employment before, including single mothers or disabled people. Those may feel isolated from the rest of the workforce and have had no experience with unions. As a result, they will be less willing to participate in union activities and bargain with their employer. Besides, more developing nations will be included in the workforce, and it is more difficult to recruit people there in the union as they live in remote places and as well have little experience with unions. However, trade unions will not go away because of telecommuting. There are factors that even call for an increase in their power. For instance, it will become easier to change jobs since it will not involve looking for a job in exactly the same area and workers will probably not have to go to interviews in person. Rather, they may be able to do some kind of audio- or video-interview via Internet. As a result, employees will have more possibility to defend their rights through trade unions as they will not fear loss of job. Communication with trade union leaders will take place through the same interactive means as communication with supervisors – e-mail, telephone, and videoconferencing. Telecommuting will probably to some extent remove the difference between house prices between capital cities and regions. At the moment, housing is pricey in larger cities since there a lot of people willing to move there because higher salary levels. Those people coming from the regions are prepared to pay a premium on house price as compared to the regions because they know the house price will be offset by gains in wages. As a result, they drive demand up even at higher prices. If differences salary levels are reduced, a probable result of telecommuting, more people will prefer to stay in the regions, and housing there will rise in value against capital cities. This does not mean that housing will cost the same throughout the nation. First, not all jobs will be affected by telecommuting. It will take time before the pay for manual jobs such labourers, nurses, etc., will get to about the same level throughout the country. People in those jobs will then still be attracted to larger cities. Second, there are other factors than salary levels that affect housing prices. For instance, in the same city where one can get the same salary living in a nice or unattractive neighbourhood, housing prices will vary from one district to another. The reason for these variations is the difference in infrastructure, ecological atmosphere (as, for example, when the house faces a busy road or something of the kind), and opportunities for entertainment. Surely in larger cities one can have a much more interesting and varied life thanks to the availability of many cultural establishments, and regions will not soon overcome this difference. That is why people may still be attracted to living in the capital even if wages arrive at about the same level. Besides, formerly the attraction of the remote areas was their cheap prices for everything other than housing, such as food, entertainment, services, etc. A rise in wages will probably change that, making prices go up. In conclusion, housing prices will go up in regions as compared to the province as a result of dwindling difference in wages. However, prices in capital or larger cities will still remain higher. Bibliography Sloman, John & Mark Sutcliffe. Economics for Business. Â  

Shakespeares Macbeth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Shakespeares Macbeth - Essay Example The necessity of keeping social and economic order often restrains stronger ambition for power. Macbeth is destined - through the prophecy of the witches - to become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King. However, Macbeth's conscience makes the distinction that, by achieving this, he will have broken the social order. This dilemma will eventually compel him to extreme deeds in the acquisition of his desire. Lady Macbeth recognizes her husband's elevation in position and prestige and has no doubt that he will fulfill the witches prophecy with a little help from herself. As she says after reading her husband's letter, " yet do I fear thy nature; / It is too full o' the milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way" (1.5.360-362). Lady Macbeth has launched into an analysis of Macbeth's character - how he might restrain his ambition out of loyalty to his King rather than seek the most direct route to the throne. Macbeth lacks the internal strength and deviousness a powerful man must ha ve in order to rise to king. His desire is infinite, his ambition excessive, yet his respect for social structure prevents him from committing to the murder of the king. In accusing him of being "too full o' the milk of human kindness," Lady Macbeth is observing a timidity that un-weaned from the hand that raised him - he is not man enough to act aggressively.