Khotan - Capital of an Oasis State on the Silk Road

Khotan (also spelled Hotian, or Hetian) is the name of a major oasis and city on the ancient Silk Road, a trade network that connected Europe, India, and China across the vast desert regions of central Asia beginning more than 2,000 years ago. Khotan Fast Facts Khotan was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Yutian, beginning in the 3rd century BCE.It is located at the western end of the Tarim basin in what is today Xinjiang Province of China.One of a handful of states who controlled trade and traffic on the Silk Road between India, China, and Europe.  Its main exports were camels and green jade. Khotan was the capital of an important ancient kingdom called Yutian, one of a handful of strong and more or less independent states who controlled travel and trade throughout the region for well over a thousand years. Its competitors at this western end of the Tarim basin included Shule and Suoju (also known as Yarkand). Khotan is located in south Xinjiang province, the westernmost province in modern China. Its political power was derived from its location on two rivers in the southern Tarim Basin of China, the Yurung-Kash and the Qara-Kash, south of the vast, nearly impassable Taklamakan Desert. According to historical records, Khotan was a double colony, settled first in the third century BCE by an Indian prince, one of several sons of the legendary King Asoka [304–232 BCE] who were expelled from India after Asokas conversion to Buddhism. A second settlement was by an exiled Chinese king. After a battle, the two colonies merged. Trade Networks on the Southern Silk Road Endless dune in Taklamakan desert, in southern Xinjiang province of China.   Feng Wei Photography / Getty Images The Silk Road should be called the Silk Roads because there were several different wandering pathways across Central Asia. Khotan was on the main southern route of the Silk Road, which began at the city of Loulan, close to the entry of the Tarim River into Lop Nor. Loulan was one of the capital cities of Shanshan, a people who occupied the desert region west of Dunhuang north of Altun Shan and south of Turfan. From Loulan, the southern route led 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) to Khotan, then 370 mi (600 km) further to the foot of the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan. Reports say it took 45 days to walk from Khotan to Dunhuang; 18 days if you had a horse. Shifting Fortunes The fortunes of Khotan and the other oasis states varied over time. The Shi Ji (Records of the Grand Historian, written by Sima Qian in 104–91 BCE, implies that Khotan controlled the entire route from Pamir to Lop Nor, a distance of 1,000 mi (1,600 km). But according to the Hou Han Shu (Chronicle of the Eastern Han or Later Han Dynasty, 25–220 CE) and written by Fan Ye, who died in 455 CE, Khotan only controlled a section of the route from Shule near Kashgar to Jingjue, an east-west distance of 500 mi (800 km). What is perhaps most likely is that the independence and power of the oasis states varied with the power of its clients. The states were intermittently and variously under the control of China, Tibet or India: In China, they were always known as the western regions, regardless of who currently controlled them. For example, China controlled traffic along the southern route when political issues cropped up during the Han Dynasty about 119 BCE. Then, the Chinese decided that although it would be beneficial to maintain the trade route, the territory was not critically important, so the oasis states were left to control their own destiny for the next few centuries. Commerce and Trade Trade along the Silk Road was a matter of luxury rather than necessity because the long distances and limits of camels and other pack animals meant that only high-value goods—in particular in relation to their weight—could be economically carried. An Imperial Khotan-Green Jade Seal from the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period.   Marco Secchi / Getty Images The main export item from Khotan was jade: the Chinese imported green Khotanese jade beginning at least as long ago as 1200 BCE. By the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), Chinese exports traveling through Khotan were primarily silk, lacquer, and bullion, and they were exchanged for jade from central Asia, cashmere and other textiles including wool and linen from the Roman empire, glass from Rome, grape wine and perfumes, slaves, and exotic animals such as lions, ostriches, and zebu, including the celebrated horses of Ferghana. During the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), the main trade goods moving through Khotan were textiles (silk, cotton, and linen), metals, incense, and other aromatics, furs, animals, ceramics and precious minerals. Minerals included lapis lazuli from Badakshan, Afghanistan; agate from India; coral from the ocean shore in India; and pearls from Sri Lanka. Khotan Horse Coins Six Zhu Sino-Kharosthi coin with the image of a horse surrounded by Kharosthi script, circa 1st-2nd century CE. Gohyuloong One evidence that the commercial activities of Khotan must have extended at least from China to Kabul along the Silk Road, is that indicated by the presence of Khotan horse coins, copper/bronze coins found all along the southern route and in its client states. Khotan horse coins (also called Sino-Kharosthi coins) bear both Chinese characters and the Indian Kharosthi script denoting the values 6 zhu or 24 zhu on one side, and the image of a horse and the name of an Indo-Greek king Hermaeus at Kabul on the reverse side. Zhu was both a monetary unit and a weight unit in ancient China. Scholars believe Khotan horse coins were used between the first century BCE and the second century CE. The coins are inscribed with six different names (or versions of names) of kings but some scholars argue that those are all differently-spelled versions of the same kings name. Khotan and Silk Khotans best-known legend is that it was ancient Serindia, where the West is said to have first learned of the art of silk making. There is no doubt that by the 6th century CE, Khotan had become the center of silk production in Tarim; but how silk moved out of eastern China into Khotan is a tale of intrigue. The story is that a king of Khotan (perhaps Vijaya Jaya, who reigned about 320 CE) convinced his Chinese bride to smuggle seeds of the mulberry tree and silkworm pupa cases hidden in her hat on her way to Khotan. A fully sizeable silkworm culture (called sericulture) was established in Khotan by the 5th–6th centuries, and it is likely to have taken at least one or two generations to get it started. History and Archaeology at Khotan Documents referring to Khotan include Khotanese, Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese documents. Historic figures who reported visits to Khotan include the wandering Buddhist monk Faxian, who visited there in 400 CE, and the Chinese scholar Zhu Shixing, who stopped there between 265–270 CE, searching for a copy of the ancient Indian Buddhist text Prajnaparamita. Sima Qian, the writer of the Shi Ji, visited in the mid-second century BCE. The first official archaeological excavations at Khotan were conducted by Aurel Stein in the early 20th century, but looting of the site began as early as the 16th century. Sources and Further Information Bo, Bi, and Nicholas Sims-Williams. Sogdian Documents from Khotan, II: Letters and Miscellaneous Fragments. Journal of the American Oriental Society 135.2 (2015): 261-82. Print.De Crespigny, Rafe. Some Notes on the Western Regions  . Journal of Asian History 40.1 (2006): 1-30. Print.è ¥ ¿Ã¥Å¸Å¸Ã‚  ; in Later HanDe La Vaissià ¨re, Étienne. Silk, Buddhism Bulletin of the Asia Institute 24 (2010): 85-87. Print.and Early Khotanese Chronology: A Note on the Prophecy of the Li Country.Fang, Jiann-Neng, et al. Sino-Kharosthi and Sino-Brahmi Coins from the Silk Road of Western China Identified with Stylistic and Mineralogical Evidence. Geoarchaeology 26.2 (2011): 245-68. Print.Jiang, Hong-En, et al. A Consideration of the Involucre Remains of Coix Lacryma-Jobi L. (Poaceae) in the Sampula Cemetery (2000 Years Bp), Xinjiang, China. Journal of Archaeological Science 35 (2008): 1311-16. Print.Rong, Xinjiang, and Xin  Wen. Newly Discovered Chinese-Khotanese Bilingual Tallies. Journal o f Inner Asian Art and Archaeology 3 (2008): 99-118. Print.

Essay on Comparing the Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem The Canterbury Tales a young Chaucer tells of the people he meets on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas Beckett in Canterbury. One of the most vivacious characters on the pilgrimage is The Wife of Bath. Both the Wife of Bath’s prologue and tale share a common theme of a woman’s control in a relationship with a man. The Wife of Bath and the old hag in her tale share a similar perspective on what women want most in life. In the prologue and tale the reader is exposed to the idea that what women most desire in life is to have control over their husbands and lovers. This tale and its prologue are linked through the way that Dame Alice, the Wife of Bath, fashions the old hag in her tale after herself. Wife†¦show more content†¦The fourth one was â€Å"bad† because this husband cheated on her. Her last husband Johnny, the one I took for love and not for wealth†¦(339), was bad because Dame Alice handed her power to her husband along with all of her money and land. He last husband also became abusive towards her, leaving her deaf in one ear. The Wife of Bath’s prologue proves that that she is only happy when she maintains complete dominance over her partner. In her tale Dame Alice claims once again that the most important thing to a woman is to have control and dominance in a relationship with a man. This is seen when the knight returns to the castle to answer the queen’s question, saying a woman wants the self-same sovereignty over her husband as over her lover, and master him, he must not be above her (174-176). As part of a previous arrangement the knight is saved, but must marry the old hag. The woman knows that her new husband is upset that she is old and ugly, so she decides to give him a choice. The hag questions the knight as to whether he would rather have her old and faithful or young and unfaithful. The knight tells the hag that the decision is hers to choose what she thinks will be best. Because the knight was wise enough to give the woman the choice to choose for herself the old hag was able to become young, beautiful and good. The Wife’s tale demonstrates that life will be better for a man when he gives hisShow MoreRelatedThe Wife Of Baths Tale Analysis1047 Words   |  5 Pagesbecause they considered wives to be gold diggers in which men would pay for their fancy lifestyle. The â€Å"Wife of Bath’s Tale,† was written around the year 1386, by Geoffrey Chaucer who tells a tale about a wife that wants sovereignty over her husbands. Book 18 of â€Å"Le Morte d’Arthur,† was written by Thomas Malory, he tells a tale about Queen Guinevere who wanted to follow the traditional role of a wife, who wanted to marry Sir Lanucelot but never could and have happiness because of the tragic that sheRead MoreThe Wife of Bath Essay2246 Words   |  9 PagesIn The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath gives an in-depth look on h er life and understanding on the world as she perceives it. During her Prologue, we learn that what she calls experience stems from her first three marriages, but during her last two there is a shift in power. The Wife of Bath demonstrates her understanding and power throughout her first three marriages both physically and emotionally and the contrast of her lack of control in her last two, thus revealing the true meaning behindRead MoreChaucer s Canterbury Tales And The Wife Of Bath s Tale1167 Words   |  5 Pagesalways tries to improve a part of society in a moral basis. The reason it targets a part of society is because didactic literature has an audience of origin that the moral applies to. For example, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales: â€Å"The Wife of Bath s Prologue† and â€Å"The Wife of Bath s Tale† , which is written by Geoffrey Chaucer, takes place during the late 5th and early 6th century during King Arthur’s reign of Great Britain. During this era, society was structured in a totally different manner than theRead MoreEssay on Ideal Women vs Real Women in Beowulf and The Wife of Bath1486 Words   |  6 Pagesfemale who is respected and admired, being the wife of King Hrothgar, Queen of the Danes: â€Å"Applause filled the hall./Then Wealhtheow pronounce in the presence of the company† (1214-1215). There is a great contrast between Grendel’s mother and Wealhtheow. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The wife of bath’s Prologue and Tale, it is one of the many Canterbury tales that can bring us awareness of the women’s role in the middle ages. Even though Alisoun, who is the wife of bath is a female traveling with a groupRead More Womens Roles in Epic of Gilgamesh, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Canterbury Tales1481 Words   |  6 PagesChanging Womens Roles in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Canterbury Tales Over the course of time, the roles of men and women have changed dramatically. As women have increasingly gained more social recognition, they have also earned more significant roles in society. This change is clearly reflected in many works of literature, one of the most representative of which is Plautuss 191 B.C. drama Pseudolus, in which we meet the prostitute Phoenicium. Although the

Factors That Could Influence A Child Or Young Person’s Development Free Essays

A2. A personal factor that may influence a Childs development would be being born with or later developing a brain tumour. Brain tumours can often lead to epilepsy, speech and communication difficulties, and even physical disabilities. We will write a custom essay sample on Factors That Could Influence A Child Or Young Person’s Development or any similar topic only for you Order Now A child that has epilepsy can be affected emotionally through embarrassment caused by having a seizure and the effects the seizure has on the child’s body i.e. They may lose control of their bladder. A night time seizure makes it difficult for the child to pay attention during lessons the next day, due to fatigue. An absent seizure (looking vacant/day dreaming) may disrupt their ability to process and remember information temporary. This can lead to difficulties with their reading, writing and maths. The child may get frustrated and annoyed as anything learned just prior to an absent seizure has to be repeated, due to short term memory loss. Other affects; Anti-seizure medications also may cause problems with mental processing and can cause fatigue or hyperactivity, especially when trying to get the dosage right for the child’s needs. Children who can appear to be seizure-free may be experiencing epileptic discharges in the brain (epilepsy type waves occurring when there is no physical sign of a seizure). However a child may show signs by being restless, distracted easily, and not being able to focus on the task at hand. Behavioural disturbances: – Fear, stress, embarrassment, frustration and even outbursts of anger. Having a buddy system in place and peer support may help build low self esteem. Being consistent and using clear direct instruction, repetition and praise and encouragement all helps. Another personal factor is asthma which is a chronic illness that can start in infancy. It can affect a child’s physical development they may not grow as tall as their peers due to having to take their preventative inhaler that contains steroids. Also having frequent time away from school can impede on their social skills as well as falling behind on lessons. An asthma attack can be brief or it can last for several days. An attack can be very scary  and exhausting. Although asthma is not curable, it can be controlled by taking medication and by avoiding contact with environmental â€Å"triggers† for asthma. Triggers that can induce an asthma attack are;  allergens (substances to which people are allergic), such as pollens, foods, dust, mould, or animal dander irritants in the air, such as dirt, cigarette smoke, gases and air pollution odours in the household, such as household cleaners, perfumes, paints, varnishes, fabric softeners, laundry detergents and cooking fumes respiratory infections, such as colds, and flu  exercise Emotional stress such as excessive fear or excitement weather conditions – very cold, windy or sudden changes in the weather medications, such as aspirin or certain cough medicines This illness can cause behavioural and emotional effects in a child. They could experience lower self esteem due to not taking a part in sport activities, fear of trying for fear of an asthma attack. This can then have an impact on peer relationships, not being able to share fully in reached goals, or share in group camaraderie. Loneliness can occur possibly even depression. External Factor The external factors, which surround the child as opposed to being of the child can influence the child’s development in different ways, for example, the family environment can be a huge influence on the child’s development. A break-up of the parents can be massively disruptive for children, this may cause them to become withdrawn, or lose interest in school and education. Loss of focus and inability to concentrate, outbursts of emotion, lack of sleep. Not being able to cope emotionally because of all the changes at home. i.e. Home routine disrupted arguments, loss of one parent in the household can cause grief, insecurity, fear, anger, self blame. Not being able to express their feelings verbally. Which can lead to unpredictable behaviour, isolating themselves from people, having angry outbursts, and even self harming? All can affect a child in areas of their development especially socially, emotional, communication and even  intellectually. Another external factor is poverty and deprivation, lack of food will cause lethargy and inability to concentrate at school. It may affect the child’s growth and health. Low self esteem due to not having the latest fashion in clothes, ill fitting clothes, bullying due to the way they look. Not having books, the latest gadgets and games etc will impede on their fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordination especially in their early years. Socially older children may make the wrong choices and even turn to crime to get what they don’t have. There may be low expectations due to their parents being uneducated or not being good role models. How to cite Factors That Could Influence A Child Or Young Person’s Development, Papers

China and Russian Mongol FRQ free essay sample

The Mongolian rule had a very direct impact and influence in China and Russia in terms of political and economical structure. Although the Mongols were not as evident in the Golden Horde region, they still impacted Russia just as much as they did in the Yuan district in China. In both China and Russia, the Mongols left their mark by placing high taxes on peasants, taking full control over trade through the Silk Road, and increasing international diplomacy through various methods, creating Pax Mongolica. Although Mongolian rule fell long ago, its influence can still be seen today. In Russia and China, the Mongol era brought a change in political power. The Khans, or â€Å"Great Leaders†, ruled both places, although not equally. China was directly ruled by the Mongols, seeing that China hosted them in the Yuan province, while Russia was given a sense of self rule. The Mongols still claimed taxes and sought goods from Russia, but did not actually occupy it as they did in China. We will write a custom essay sample on China and Russian Mongol FRQ or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The lack of occupancy in Russia eventually led to the downfall of the Mongol rule there seeing that there was no opposing force to govern them, thus putting power back to the Russians, and creating what we know Russia as today. Not only was the political aspect of China and Russia influenced, but the economy was influenced as well. The conquests of Kublai Khan and his successors joined the Eastern world with the Western world by the use of the Silk Road, which served as a trade route. The Silk Road connected trade centers spanning across Asia and Europe reaching from the Golden Horde to the Yuan province. The trade route, while under strict protection of the Mongols, increased Eurasian trade of goods, beliefs, and disease. The Silk Road spread silk, porcelain, and gun powder from China as well as Buddhism, and the plague. The goods that came and went through the trade route were taxed heavily along with the peasants that resided in each region. The high taxes served as income for the Mongols to use towards warfare, necessities, and indulgences. The Silk Road, by bringing in and sending out new ideas and goods, spread international diplomacy. In the case of China, the Silk Road brought in ambassadors from the Middle East amongst other regions, thereby increasing and instilling a sense of Pax Mongolica. In conclusion, the Mongols influence on China and Russia shaped them into what they are today.  The Mongols achieved their greatness by taxing the poor in order to support their army, making the Silk Road their own, and accumulating international diplomacy and instilling Pax Mongolica.

Aztec and Inca DBQ free essay sample

Both the Aztecs and the Incas demonstrated outstanding cultural, intellectual, and religious developments in their societies. These Empires maintained a high level of cultural development due to their social, architectural, and religious aspects. The social effects of the Aztec and Incan Empires clearly emphasized the amazing cultural development that occurred there. The Mendoza Codex (Document 1) is an example that shows the daily activities and customs of the Aztec society. It shows the type of work done by people depending on their gender. The men were taught how to fish and hunt while the women were taught how to work with crafts. The point of view is the author(s) that wrote the Mendoza Codex and believed what was right for each gender. The page from the Codex Mendoza (Document 6) shows how advanced the Aztec marketplace was because of the great variety of goods they contained. The point of view was probably from the author(s) that wrote the Codex Mendoza and saw the items that were being sold there. We will write a custom essay sample on Aztec and Inca DBQ or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the memoirs of the conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo, he describes the quality and vast amounts of goods sold at the Aztec marketplace (Document 7). He states how the items were displayed and the policies that enforced order throughout the marketplace. Bernal Diaz is the author of this document and does show bias because he compared the Aztec marketplace to the marketplace of Portugal, and is truly only interested in gold, silver, and slaves, rather than everything else that is offered in the marketplace. The picture of the Chinampa system shows the importance of the agricultural method of the Aztecs as well as how the geography of the area promoted its use (Document 8). Much force needed to be exerted by the workers in order to harvest the crops because of the soil-dredged islands. Although it required a lot of labor, it resulted in great benefits since they produced many crops. The author’s POV is most likely a historian who studied the agricultural aspects of the Aztec society. The picture of the Incan Bridge shows the intercommunication between people from different parts of the area to do so with ease (Document 10). The bridges not only encouraged communication between people, but also aided them to gather crops from one side of the area to the other, and the increase trade between the two parts of the Incan Empire. The POV is most likely an artist who liked the fact of a bridge to connect the two parts. The picture from the First New Chronicle and Good Government, illustrated by Felipe Guanan Poma de Ayala, depicts how  the ruler had servants to assist him whether it be in his duties or his palace (Document 11).The POV is a writer, Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala who wrote this manuscript to and included this picture to show how the ruler was depicted in the society. Architecture also contributed to the development of culture in the Mesoamerican societies. The picture of the carved glyph on the Tenayuca Pyramid in Mexico City exhibits the skill and precision that architects had in constructing a building (Document 2). Although all these sculptors had were rocks to carve into the rock, they did so in a way that was very proficient and showed their expertise in architecture. The POV is a historian/photographer who was interested in the architectural developments in the Aztec society. The twelve cornered stone, shows the great amount of skill and effort the Incan architects had and needed in order to make such reliable and dependable walls (Document 9). This picture shows how precise the aligning is of the carved rocks that a knife blade cannot even fit between them. The POV is a photographer who was interested in the rock formations constructed in the palace. Apart from architecture, the Incan engineers built reliable bridges, just like the one that still stands today (Document 10). This shows the expertise in bridge making as well as how the bridge could have helped architects build their structures, by using the bridge to cross over the chasm and retrieve rocks that could be used as carving rocks or as building materials. The photograph of Machu Picchu shows the great amount of effort and skill required to create a society that could be depended on and maintained in the mountains (Document 13). The POV is a photographer that was probably astonished at how well Machu Pichu was surviving even though it was in the mountains. It consisted of about two hundred buildings, mostly being residences, and the rest being temples, storage structures, and other public buildings. This photograph also shows how the builders of this city had to create a way for the city to not fall down, which also took much thought and skill. A good additional document would be an explanation from an architect or constructor that described some of the obstacles they needed to surpass in order to erect the magnificent buildings and temples. Religion was also a great supporter for the cultural development in the Aztec and Incan Empires. The civil calendar used by the Aztecs shows the sophistication and complexity of activities throughout the course of the year, and how they paid close attention to religious  ceremonies and the agricultural cycle (Document 3). In this society the gods needed to be worshipped in order to produce great and bountiful harvests, so the veneration of gods was a necessity. The POV is the constructor of the calendar and how he was very religious to contract this picture. The chart (Document 4) describes the rituals that were associated for each month of the year and how it coincided with the Aztec calendar. The chart shows the intense religious devotion of many gods through ways of sacrificing people of certain age groups for each month. The POV is probably a calendar constructor who followed the religious duties of the gods and constructed this calendar to inform the people on the months of sacrificing’s. The photograph from the Florentine Codex by Friar Bernadino, exhibits the great sacrificial society of the people (Document 5). The picture depicts a human sacrifice. This document shows bias because to the people of Central America because human sacrifice is part of their religion and the way of worshiping their gods and giving their offerings to them, while to someone else not from this society and not familiar with the religious sacrifices, these ways are seen as heretic and the people are considered savages. The First New Chronicle and Good Government by Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala exhibits the great devotion of Incas and their leaders to their sun god (doc. 12). They were strictly believers of the Sun God and many other gods. Since the document was written by someone who is of Incan descent, it shows bias. The author sees the Kings rejection to the Christian missionary Fray Vincente, as an act of great courage, loyalty, and devotion to his god, and is seen as a religious figure to other followers of the Sun God.

Dream Journal related to Psychology

Dream Journal related to Psychology When a situation becomes dangerous, the mind will figure out a way to make it safer. After the shooting in Platte Valley, many school officials are worried about how the students are handling this event. In "The Windsor Tribune", Chris Casey's article reviews just how chaotic all of these procedures can be. Every single one of the procedures can be a physical and mental strain on the all the school officials and students. The emotional strain was also another big worry that the weld county superintendent had.When a student has lived through that type of traumatic event, many things can be racing through their mind. Their behavior may change completely after this one event; they may feel as if it is better to be shy so that they do not attract too much attention. The student may do the complete opposite and be very outgoing because they feel as if they have nothing to lose anymore, or they feel invincible.English: Alexander Blok's poem 'Noch, ulica, fonar...I believe that the emotiona l strain that is put on everyone at this time will prevail and prepare us all for a very terrible possibility. I also believe that this emotional strain would be much less than that of someone losing a very close friend that was a victim of yet another school shooting.My MemoryI had to memorize "The Dreams," a poem written by Eugene Field, for my competition in speech debate. The first way I tried to memorize it was called "chunking." It is where I would separate the different stanzas so I could learn them separately and then put it all together at the very end. For me, this worked all the way up until I tried to put the entire poem back together. I could not remember what stanza went after the...

I can read reviews dealing with the content and criticism of cultural Essay

I can read reviews dealing with the content and criticism of cultural topics (films, theatre, books, concerts) and summarise the main points - Essay Example Like on other occasions, the entrance to this museum night event is free and with the company of my friends, the self-guided tour around it will be a thrilling experience. Further, some of the friends have intense knowledge on the history of this bank from school and they will serve well in my understanding of most of the exhibitions and the wide variety of souvenirs that exist within the museum. My visit is also motivated by my great urge to criticize and make notes on what I have observed. This will serve as a great source of relevant cultural information and knowledge about a unique element of England’s culture. From the visit, I also intend to confirm some myths like earliest paper money being made of receipt that the goldsmith was left with for safekeeping2. I also want to understand why the bank of England Museum has so much association with gold to the extent that the advertisement of this event includes people lifting a gold bar worth

Women Liberation Is Still a Fiction Research Paper

Women Liberation Is Still a Fiction - Research Paper Example Women are considered more responsible and hence even the domestic front has to be looked after by women of the houses. The paper argues on the fact that women liberation is still a fiction. The indicators which give the impression of women liberation are in fact illusions. Most of the offices in the world today give the statistics of women employees. The figure is encouraging. Ii indicates that so many women have come out from the domestic front and are engaging themselves in the economic activities. In reality, the picture is completely different. It is true that women participate in economic activities but how much they are a part of the economy remains a big question. In most cases, women work as hard as men rather more than men but her contribution is not seen as a worthy one in society. The belief is such that her income is mainly for satisfying unimportant desires and hence do not have an importance that is equal to that of a man. Women today put on bold attire. This is because they are liberated from the clutches of conservatism. Through their dress, they try to show the world that they can express their desires in modern society. Unfortunately, it does not remain so easy for women. A study has proved that men were of the opinion that women should pay attention to the kind of dresses that they wear. They should not put on something which will catch the attention of men because that may cause rape and other sexual offences. (Campbell and Norris, 39). â€Å"Only through eradication of outward ornament can women atone for the vices of their sex†. (Coon, 32). Through this, it can be understood that the existing belief was that female sexuality was a vice and it can only be controlled if women control their appearances. It was expected that the proper norm for women was to put on drab dresses in order to prevent sexual exploitation.  

Interim Assessment Report Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Interim Assessment Report - Research Proposal Example Research objective Research objectives are the most important elements of a study. It is often regarded as the foundation of a research work (Babbie, 2012; Kumar, 2005). Moreover, the scope of the research is also established on the basis of the objectives of the study. This study principally aims to examine the impact of mobile search &social media on brand awareness, marketing and liberalization in Saudi Arabia. However, the study also has other objectives as well. The different objectives are presented below: - To identify the influence of mobile search & social media on brand awareness, marketing and liberalization in Saudi Arabia. To recognize how social media can drive customers towards a business and how it can help companies to embrace loyal customers. To identify the best or the most popular social media in Saudi Arabia. To explore how the indentified social media is helpful for the common people and business houses of Saudi Arabia. To identify how mobile search & social med ia can be used by business houses to investigate the business environment and simultaneously bring innovation to the business. To create an independent model to survey the business environment by employing mobile search & social media. ... In the similar context, O'Leary (2004) put emphasis on the fact that what used to be defined with ease 30-40 years back has now become exceedingly complex in the recent times. One of the obvious reasons is the rapidly changing business scenario and arrival of different type of research methods. Thus, which used to hold true 30-40 years back, not hold fully acceptable or not at all acceptable in the present days. In general, there are two broad research paradigms namely positivism and interpretivism. Positivism is often referred to as a scientific method of doing a research. A researcher believing in this philosophy considers realism as true and can be expressed from the viewpoint of an objective (Tobin &Joseph, 2006). Another significant differentiating factor between the two philosophies is that positivists considers quantitative analysis as the more reasonable and helps to draw a logical solution of the subject of concern. Researches believing in this philosophy often consider ques tionnaire survey, online polls, surveys as the best way of collecting data (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight, 2006; Scharff, 2002). The interpretivism philosophy on the other hand believes in anti-positivism concept. They do not consider reality to be stable or reality is articulated from the objective viewpoint. On the contrary, they regard reality is not stable and is constantly changing (Creswell, 2003). Furthermore, they also believe that the behavior of human being is constantly changing as the surrounding in which they exist, strongly impacts them. The researchers belonging to this category also tries to unearth the perception of people about the circumstances in which they exists (Mukherji & Albon, 2009). The differentiating

Diffusion Coefficient of 2m NACL in Water

Diffusion Coefficient of 2m NACL in Water This experiment aims to determine the diffusion coefficient of a liquid mixture, sodium chloride solution, in de-ionized water. This is done through the use of a honeycomb diffusion cell which consists of 121 vertical capillaries which are 5mm long and 1mm in diameter. Ficks Law of Diffusion is used in this experiment to calculate the diffusion coefficient of sodium chloride solution in de-ionized water. The change in concentration of the sodium chloride in the de-ionized water is measured by using the conductivity meter, since sodium chloride dissociates in water. The calculated value of diffusion coefficient was compared with the literature value derived from Eletrochemistry textbook, and the difference in values will be discussed. Some assumptions are being made to make the calculations much simpler. The concentration at the lower end of the diffusion cell is assumed to be equal to 2M, which is the molarity of the sodium chloride solution. The concentration at the upper end of the diffusion cell is taken to be effectively zero. Certain factors that affect diffusion and the calculation of the diffusion coefficient are also discussed to understand more about their effects on diffusion. However, this experiment did not place emphasis on these factors, and these factors are assumed to be negligible in the experiment as steps have been taken to minimise their presence in this experiment. Objective The objective of this experiment is to determine the diffusion coefficient of 2M Sodium Chloride solution in de-ionised water. Principles 1. Diffusion Molecular diffusion, or simply known as diffusion, is a spontaneous process that results in the net transport of molecules from a region of higher concentration to another region of lower concentration. This net transport is a result of the intrinsic thermal energy present in all molecules at temperatures above absolute zero. The phenomenon of diffusion can be mathematically described using Ficks Law (or Ficks 1st Law), which states that for a two component system consisting of A and B, the molar flux, Ni , of the individual component (i = A, B) is defined as: (1) where D is the diffusion coefficient , Ci is the concentration of component i, and is the concentration gradient in the z-direction. The negative sign indicates the flow of transport is from region of higher concentration to region of lower concentration. In the context of this experiment, Ficks law in one-dimension is considered, and there is no mean flow of mixture in the experimental set-up. Therefore, Equation (1) for the molar flux is valid for this experiment. 2. Experimental Set-up A diffusion cell is an instrument that is used to study the diffusion of liquid or gaseous mixtures. The diffusion cell used in this experiment consists of a honeycomb of 121 accurately dimensioned vertical capillaries that are 5mm long and 1mm wide in diameter. This is to restrict the diffusion to a one -dimensional diffusion. To prepare the diffusion cell for use, a small volume of concentrated solution is first placed on one side of the honeycomb, whilst the other side consists of a large volume of pure solvent (de-ionized water). The concentration within the larger volume will increase gradually as diffusion of the solute occurs. This change in concentration is monitored closely with a conductivity sensor and meter. To ensure a uniform concentration within the larger volume, the mixture is continuously stirred with a magnetic stirrer. (Figure 1) The concentration at the lower end of the tube is in fact constant and is equal to the molarity of the solution. The concentration at the upper end of the tube is effectively zero (Figure 2). Honeycomb structure with capillaries Concentration of solution outside tube is zero Concentration of solution inside tube is 2M NaCl Therefore it can be said that: (2) where M is the molarity of the solution and L is the length of the tube. The amount of sodium chloride diffusing per unit time from the capillary is approximately: (3) where d is the diameter of the capillary, n is the number of capillaries and L is the length of the capillary. Outside the tube, since sodium chloride is able to dissociate in water into sodium and chloride ions, the accumulation of the sodium chloride salt in the de-ionized water can be easily calculated by the measurement of change in the conductivity k of the solution with respect to time t. The amount of sodium chloride accumulating per unit time outside the vessel is approximately: (4) where V is the volume of water in outer vessel and CM is the conductivity change for unit molarity change and has the value of 0.41ÃŽÂ ©-1M-1 for the solution used in this experiment. Mass balance requires that the amount of sodium chloride going out of the capillaries must be equals to the amount of sodium chloride accumulated in the de-ionized water. (5) Therefore, (6) By rearranging Equation (6), (7) All the terms in equation (7) are constants and known, except for . However, to determine, we can plot a graph of conductivity as a function of time and find the gradient, which is equals to. Thus, by plotting conductivity as a function of time, the value of the diffusion coefficient D for the sodium chloride solution can be determined. Equipment and Materials One litre vessel with cell holder (Figure 3) Magnetic stirrer with variable speed (Figure 3) Magnetic stir bar (Figure 3) Diffusion cell (Figure 4) Conductivity meter (Figure 5) Conductivity leads Stopwatch (Figure 6) A bottle of de-ionized water (Figure 7) 50 ml beaker (Figure 8) 2M sodium chloride solution in a 100ml glass bottle (Figure 9) Experimental Procedure The one litre vessel was filled with de-ionized water up to 1cm below the graduation (black) mark. The magnetic stirrer was set to the lowest setting. The conductivity meter was connected to the electrodes and then switched on. The reading on the conductivity meter was noted to be less than 10-4ÃŽÂ ©-1 (1 ÃŽÂ ©-1 = 1 Siemens). The diffusion cell was completely filled with 2M (molarity) sodium chloride solution (116.9g NaCl/litre). Excess solution on top of the capillaries and on the sides was wiped off gently with a soft tissue. The diffusion cell was clamped in its position with the top of the capillaries lying parallel with the graduation mark on the vessel. The vessel was carefully filled to the graduaton mark with the provided de-ionized water bottle. The nozzle of the bottle was aimed away from the capillaries and towards the wall of the vessel, so as to minimise the turbulence caused. The timer was started immediately when the vessel was filled to the graduation mark. The reading on the conductivity was noted down at the same time. The conductivity readings were noted down every 200 seconds till 3600s. After the end of Run 1, the solution in the vessel and diffusion cell was disposed. Both the vessel and the diffusion were washed thoroughly with de-ionized water. Steps (1) to (10) were repeated to get another set of readings for Run 2. Results The results are tabulated in Table 1. Questions Plot conductivity (k) versus time (t) and determine the slope of the best fit straight line through the points. From the plot, the gradient of slope of the best fit straight line for Run 1 and Run 2 are 4 x 10-8 and 3 x 10-8 respectively. Determine the diffusion coefficient of 2M NaCl using equation (6). To use equation (6), we need the value for . The value for is determined from the graph. We will take the average of the gradient of the 2 slopes we get from the graph. = = 3.5 x 10 -8 Where, V = 1 Litre = 0.001 m3 L = 5mm = 0.005 m CM = 0.41ÃŽÂ ©-1M-1 n = 121 M = 2M d = 1mm = 0.001 m (gradient of slope) = 3.5 x 10^-8 (ÃŽÂ ©s)-1 For = 3.5 x 10^-8 (ÃŽÂ ©s)-1, How does your value(s) compare with literature values? Comment on sources of error. Table 2 is obtained from the literature of an Electrochemistry textbook. The data in the table are obtained by various experimental techniques, such as tracer diffusion determination. The diffusion coefficient of Na+ and Cl- ions in water, extracted from relevant data in Table 2, are found to be 1.33 x 10-5 cm2/s and 2.03 x 10-5 cm2/s respectively. These ionic diffusion coefficients do not take into consideration the effect of solvation of the water molecules on the ionic species. From Table 2, both the sodium ion and chloride ion have different diffusion coefficient from each other. However sodium chloride diffuses with only one coefficient, therefore we need to compute the average diffusion coefficient, DNaCl. From the equation: (8) j1 = j2 = Dc1 = [] c1 The average diffusion coefficient of the electrolyte NaCl , DNaCl = 2 (9) (1/DNa+ + 1/DCl- ) = 2 (1/1.33 + 1/2.03) x 105 = 1.607 x 10-5 cm2/s = 1.607 x 10-9 m2/s Percentage difference between experimental and literature values of diffusion coefficient = (2.246 1.607)/(1.607) x 100% = + 39.8% The experimental diffusion coefficient values of 2.246 x 10-9 m2/s is slightly higher than the literature value of 1.607 x 10-9 m2/s, and this could be due to some possible sources of error (Will be further discussed in the next section). The calculated value (DNaCl) based on Table 2, equation (8) and (9) does not take into consideration the effect of hydration of the water molecules on the ionic species. The phenomenon of solute-solvent interaction between sodium chloride and water is called hydration. The solute and the solvent both interact to form a new species, which is the actual species diffusing in the solvent Hence, it should be expected that our experiment value will be different from the literature value (DNaCl), as hydration do play a part in the experiment. In addition, the high concentration of the sodium chloride solution (2M) may result in convection, which will also affect the rate of diffusion. (Will be further under Discussions) Possible Sources of Error S/N Possible Sources of Error Solution 1. If thewalls of the capillary tubes arewet, or if the diffusion tube is filled up too slowly or wrongly, air bubbles may form underthe capillariesin the honeycomb structure. The bubbles can significantly impede diffusion through the capillaries, affecting the rate of diffusion. Ensure that no air bubbles are formed in or under the honeycomb structure. This can be achieved by filling the diffusion cell slowly. 2. Evaporation of water from the 1 litre vessel during the experiment could affect thevolume present in the vessel and hence diffusion coefficient would be affected, since the calculation of the diffusion coefficient involves the volume of water present in the vessel. The vessel could be covered with a cover or lid to minimise evaporation of water. 3. The stopwatch should be startedas close as possible to the instant when the water covers the surface of the capillaries. This is because significant changes in concentration can occur at this pointintime due to the steep concentration gradient between the 2 solutions. However, human reaction time will result in some delay. Have one person to fill up the vessel until the honeycomb structure is fully submerged in water, while another person looks from the side and starts the stopwatch once the honeycomb structure is fully submerged. This will minimise the human reaction time. 4. The solution may not be well-stirred enough, thus resulting in a higher concentration at the diffusion surface than the rest of the solution. Have more than one conductivity sensor at various locations or depth along the vessel enables us to get more accurate conductivity readings by averaging the values obtained. 5. The needle was fluctuating at some of the instant when readings were supposed to be taken, making it hard to determine the value to be recorded. By the time the needle stabilised, it has already exceeded the stipulated time (e.g. 1000s), and the reading obtained from the meter would not reflect the conductivity of the solution at that particular time but instead for another timing. A data logging system should be used where signals from the conductivity meter used for the diffusion cell can be recorded into a computer at fixed regular time interval. This helps to eliminate human error from poor judgment in the reading of results as well as allows for a more accurate reading of the conductivity. 6. The vessel may not be thoroughly cleaned from previous experiment by other students, therefore leaving sodium chloride residue at the wall of the vessel. This may add to the conductivity of the solution during the diffusion experiment when the vessel is filled with de-ionised water and therefore lead to an error when calculating the diffusion coefficient of sodium chloride. Clean the equipments thoroughly once more with de-ionised water to ensure that no residues are present on the equipment. 7. Small air bubbles could have been trapped at the opening of the capillaries of the diffusion cell before the start of the experiment. This would affect the diffusion rate of the sodium chloride solution. A porous plate can be used. It enables the solute and solvent to pass through freely, minimizing the chance where the molecules are stuck at the pores or in the capillaries. 8. Convection occurred in the experiment is a major factor that will affect the accuracy of our experiment. Effort has been made to minimized convection. However, the extent in which convection has affected our experiment values is unknown. The rotation of the magnetic stirrer could introduce convection currents in the water. The addition of dye to the vessel containing watercan be used to determine whether the magnetic stirrer is causing too much convection. This should be done before the commencement of the actual experiment to ensure minimal or no convection are present. The dye should never be used during the commencement of the experiment as it might interfere with the diffusion rate of sodium chloride solution. 9. The changes in the conductivity may be so small such that the analog meter is not able to detect the changes. The use of an analog meter also depends on how the person judges the values of the readings when the needle is in between the markings on the meter. This might result in random errors. A digital conductivity meter or data logger should be used to minimise the random errors that might be introduced if an analog meter is used. A digital conductivity meter or data logger would be more able to reflect the small changes in conductivity of the solution, giving us readings that are more accurate and more precise. 10. The temperature of the sodium chloride solution in the diffusion cell and the water in the vessel is assumed to be the same and constant throughout the experiment. However, this may not be true due to the fact that the experimental setup is exposed to the surroundings, thus it is very difficult to ensure constant temperature within the system, unlike the case of a water bath. Temperature, however, does affect the diffusion coefficient. Conduct the experiment in an enclosed environment to minimise contact with the surroundings. Measure the temperature of the water and sodium chloride solution constantly to ensure constant and identical temperature throughout the experiment. Discussions Solute-Solvent interaction (hydration) In the experiment, the species that are diffusing are not just pure sodium and chloride ions. In fact, sodium chloride and water interact to give a new species which is the actual species diffusing in the solvent. The effect of hydration can be studied by using the following flux equation: (10) j1 = D0 (1 + ) c1 (11) j1 = (1 + ) c1 where D0 is the new diffusion coefficient, ÃŽÂ ¼ is the solvent viscosity, R0 is the solute radius, and Ɔ1 is the activity coefficient. Equation (10) and (11) can be affected by hydration in two ways. These two factors are the hydrated species radius R0, and the concentration dependence of diffusion. From equation (11), the solute radius R0 is that of the hydrated species. This can be related to the true solute radius R0 by the following equation: à Ã¢â€š ¬ R03 = à Ã¢â€š ¬ (R0)3 + n() (12) Where VH2O is the molar volume of water and n is the hydration number. The third column of Table 3 shows the values obtained from equation (12). If we were to take the values of Na+ (0.5) and Cl- (-0.7) and compute the average radius R0, the radius obtained will be a smaller value as compared to the case when no hydration is considered. Therefore, we will obtain a larger D0 if we substitute a smaller R0 into equation (11). This explains why we get a larger D0 from experimental results as compared to literature values. Convection In our experiment, the sodium chloride solution has a molarity of 2M, which is a concentrated solution. Such concentrated solution may cause convection in our experiment, thus affecting the rate of diffusion. Total mass transported = Mass transported by diffusion + Mass transported by convection (13) The total mass flux n1, (mass transported per unit area per unit time): n1 = j1a + c1va where j1a is the diffusion flux and c1va represents the convection. From equation (7): (7) D = If we add in the convection term, it becomes (7.1) D = + (convection) From equation (7.1), we can see that the presence of convection in the experiment will mean a bigger value for diffusion coefficient since the total mass transported is now dependent not solely on diffusion only. Convection does play a part in the transporting of mass. In order to examine whether the effect of convection is significant in our experiment, we can carry the experiment with sodium chloride solution at lower concentrations. The diffusion coefficient obtained will then be compared against literature values. If the degree of difference between experimental results and literature values is similar to that of using 2M sodium chloride solution, then we can say that the effect of convection is negligible in our experiment, and vice versa. Temperature dependence of diffusion coefficient In our experiment, the temperature of the water in the vessel and the sodium chloride solution is assumed to be the same and constant throughout the experiment. The dependence of diffusion coefficient on temperature in liquids can be determined using the Stokes- Einstein equation: (14) where T1 and T2 denote temperature 1 and 2 respectively D is the diffusion coefficient is the dynamic viscosity of the solvent From the equation, we can see that temperature does affect the diffusivity of the sodium chloride ions. In order to ensure that this problem does not affect our experiment, we should continuously measure the temperature of the water in the vessel and the sodium chloride solution to ensure identical and constant temperature throughout the experiment. Conclusions The aim of the experiment was to determine the diffusion coefficient of 2M Sodium Chloride solution in de-ionised water. The purpose of the experiment is achieved through the use of diffusion cell and the conductivity meter to study the change in concentration along the vessel at regular intervals. The value of our experimental result is of the order of 10-9 m2/s, which is common for liquid mixtures. This implies that the method of using honeycomb diffusion cell and measuring the change in conductivity to calculate the accumulation of the sodium chloride in the de-ionized water is appropriate for the determination of diffusion in a liquid mixture in this experiment. However, one should be aware that the conductivity method is only applicable for solute which fully dissociates in water. Solutes which do not dissociate in water will not give any changes in conductivity of the de-ionized water. It was found that the diffusion coefficient determined in the experiment is 39.8% larger than the literature values. This is most likely due to the fact that the literature values did not consider the effect of hydration on the sodium and chloride ions. The effect of hydration tends to increase the rate of diffusion, and this was the case for sodium chloride solution. Therefore, if we were to take into consideration the effect of hydration on the ions in our calculation of the literature values, the diffusion coefficient calculated will be close to our experimental value. We have discussed that convection is an important factor that might affect the reliability and accuracy of the experimental results. Due to the limitations of the experiment procedure, we were unable to determine the extent in which convection affects the experiment. Dyes could have been used to detect the presence of any significant convection currents due to the rotation of the magnetic stirrer. This experiment has showed that it is very difficult to calculate the actual diffusion coefficient very accurately using mathematical models and scientific concepts that we currently have. Due to the fact that the values of diffusion coefficients for liquid mixtures are very small, of the order of 10-9 m2/s, any slight error during the experiment will result in a big difference from the actual value. This difference might be small in magnitude, but the application of this value may have large implications in actual situations, such as in chemical plants. Therefore, much effort should be utilised for future research works to accurately determine the actual diffusion coefficients under different situations and conditions.

The Ivory Coast Overview and Media Analysis Essay -- essays research p

Part 1: Country Background The Rà ©publique de Cà ´te d'Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is a country in West Africa bordering Liberia and Guinea to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The location now known as the Ivory Coast was made a protectorate of France during the era of imperialism by a treaty in the 1840's, and became a French colony in 1893. The country gained its independence in 1960, at which point it was led by Fà ©lix Houphouà «t-Boigny until 1993. During these years, the country was closely tied with its' West African neighbors economically and politically, but also maintained trade with the Western world, furthering the nations economic development. However, since the end of Houphouà «t-Boigny?s rule the countries stability has been in serious decline, brought on by a number of coups vying for power. Following the takeover by two militia groups in 1999 and 2001 that served to replace the preexisting political pow ers, the country has been subject to a civil war since 2002. Today, the government is identified as a republic with strong executive power embodied by the president, President Gbagbo. The nation?s current state of unrest has greatly hampered its economic development and social and political stability, and the violent state of the country poses a serious threat for those wishing to do business with the Ivory Coast. Part 2: Country Profile ? Population: According to UN census data in 2005, Cà ´te d'Ivoire has a population of 17.1 million individuals. According to data in 2003, 43.6% of the population is female. The largest city in the country is Abidjan, which is the center for most of the countries economic activity and host t... ...urces receive pressure from parties in power to present a specific point of view. Additionally, I believe that the widespread poverty throughout the country further inhibits the local freedom of press. My findings of limited internet access and low literacy rates suggest a lack of social mobility that may correlate with people?s inability to demand truth from local media forces. It is clear that the powers in charge have not accepted the responsibility to place value on a high standard of media, and therefore it is the role of the citizens to pursue such freedoms. Because local citizens have not been able to express these wishes, perhaps it is at this point that Western influences must intervene. Although Western influence has been hampered in the Ivory Coast by civil war, our global awareness of the situation in the country provides grounds for intervention.

Building an Ethical Organization

In the present, social organizations that cater to the critical needs of the society are very much important. Due to the numerous issues and problems of the government, these critically needs of the people are indeed being neglected or insufficiently addressed leading to some complications on the ideal conditions of the people. Due to the extrinsic responsibilities of the government as the main social controller, attention and important resources towards the welfare of the small social sectors are commonly hindered and are directed towards other issue.In general, the budget and efforts regarding some social needs are indeed insufficient thus, outsourcing strategies employing human service organization is important. In this aspect, human service organization becomes an important aspect in this dilemma. These organizations effectively addressed some of the critical needs of the people such as in terms of healthcare needs, skill development training, educational assistance, cooperative businesses, and others.Through devoting their resources, efforts, and skills towards the effective satisfaction of the important needs of the people in their community or society, private human service organizations serve as assistance organization towards the achievement of the sufficiently welfare of the people. Considering this aspect, formation of human service organization is indeed important as they serve as an effective medium in the effective development of the society.The Organization Acting a new director for a human service organization, the author of this paper particularly sees a critical need for the effective development of the educational system in the society. Education indeed serves an important function in the society mainly as the medium of the people towards acquiring valuable knowledge, effective training, an skill development which are necessary in promoting the success of each individual.Due to this significance, it becomes the objective of this desired human service organization to provide assistance program and strategies towards the educational aspect. As the director of this newly established human service organization, it will be the main priority of this institution to provide educational assistance programs for the youth. A significant element in the system of this educational assistance organization is the establishment of its target population or likely clients.The primary target of this organization is to provide assistance program mainly towards the impoverished or financial-challenged population. These are the people or community who cannot afford privately owned educational institutions, which are significantly expensive for their capacity. As such, this organization aims to provide a similarly effective educational system through assisting the normative educational curriculum from public institutions.Through which, this organization can develop the same effective educational training system for the benefits of the majority of the population. Through starting from the primary learning system of the young children of developing an effective institution and environment for preschool and kindergarten learning, this organization’s objective can be effectively started in the community. This will be continued through assisting the student while in the course of social learning curriculum to sustain the continuous training and the high-quality learning objective.Finally, the college system, which is deemed most critical for effective development will also, be given attention particularly on the financial aspect of this stage. Thus, aiding the financial needs of the student while in this stage will be important for the successful development of the individuals and the community collectively. The implementation of this aspect will have a screening stage for the effective management of the resources and efforts for this objective.Indeed, this organization aims to aid the population that is financially ch allenged in achieving effective and high-quality educational training. Mission Statement: Included in the services planned by this human service organization are the developments of primary educational and training institution dedicated for educational needs such as preschool and kindergarten schools for young children, weekend learning program for primary and secondary students, and financial assistance projects for college students.Regarding the first objective, this social organization will establish children educational facilities namely for preschool and kindergarten in targeted communities. These facilities will include professional childcare personnel who will assist the children in their early social interaction and learning development. For the second objective, educational assistance for primary and secondary students will be created which will be held in established facilities such as community centers and public schools.This will become an expansive strategy from the nor mative school curriculum to develop more critical and in-depth learning development for the public school student’s population. Third, among the primary objective is the development of the financial assistance program for needing students through the college curriculum including financial loaning system, scholarship grants, and apprenticeship program for skill development. Through this approaches, this institution can successfully promote both individual and social development through the aspect of the educational system.Values Statement: Being an educational institution wanting to provide the best possible service to its target clientele, the organization tries its best to reach the standard it has set for itself. The constancy of dealing with this particular need is certainly an essential factor that needs to be faced by the administration of the organization. The values of the clients served by the organization are the main foundation of the entire institution. The differe nt values are then counted as important elements of success in the business.To be inspired in doing so, the mission of the institution shall be carried all throughout the operation of the educational organization. As a non-profit organization, the institution aims to hone the different aspects of organization all for the benefit of the clientele to be served. References: Robert J. Starr. (1994). Building An Ethical School: A Practical Response To The Moral Crisis In Schools. Routledge Publishing. Kenneth A. Strike. (2006). Ethical Leadership in Schools: Creating Community in an Environment of Accountability (Leadership for Learning Series). Corwin Press. Building an Ethical Organization There has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of health problems in the society today. Diseases without cure like HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases whose treatment is extremely expensive are here with us. These diseases present a challenge to the current society. The problem is intensified by the fact that many of the members of the society cannot afford to foot the costs of basic healthcare let alone the expensive diseases. Another contributor to the problem is that sexually transmitted diseases are more prevalent among poverty stricken communities.The diseases have been cited as a great threat to development in the society as they kill or debilitate members of the society who are the force behind developing the economies in their communities. From this situation therefore arises the need for the provision of treatment services to the society at low costs. This is the only way to save the society from slumping back to poverty and more disease. It is in view of these problems therefore that the low cost medical services public health clinic has been proposed, and plans for its continuity been devised.This paper looks into the various aspects that are to be the mainstay of the operations in the clinic. These aspects include the scope of services to be delivered, the conduct of the personnel in the clinic and the organizational structure to be used in the organization. The public health clinic is a non profit ethical organization meant to deliver medical services to the society. The services the organization is designed to offer address the issues of lack of adequate healthcare in the society today.Since the diseases that the clinic targets demand costly treatment facilities the organization strives to ensure it provides services that are of high quality. Recovery of the health of the society is an aim of the organization and it recognizes the need to use high quality instruments in the delivery of health services. The organization theref ore will use latest technology tools and methods to make sure services the services delivered are of the highest standards and address the health problem fully.The organization, being a non profit organization, will deliberately work for the people who are suffering from serious diseases and have no money for treatment. Many non profit hospitals engage in outreach programs aimed at assisting the community. These programs directly or indirectly affect the health in the communities. The activities go beyond the traditional role of the medical organization. They create environments, both social and economic that would influence behaviors to better health and better communal well-being (Aday, 1993).In the day to day running of the clinic there shall be provision of services like immunization programs, services meant for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and providing health assurances and assets assurance. Immunization programs are aimed at preventing infectious diseases in t he population. Infectious diseases are a cause of many health problems in the society. Lack of immunization in the society causes occurrence of diseases like tuberculosis which is a leading killer disease, and polio which has no cure.The devastating effects of these diseases point to the old saying that prevention is better than cure. The program of preventing sexually transmitted diseases is meant to cut the numbers of people currently suffering from the disease in the society. The numbers of those who suffer from sexually transmitted diseases are very high and given the high costs the treatment of the diseases there is an urgent need to root out the diseases from the society. One of the aims of the organization is to steer the society from the brink of health disaster and to ensure that in the future not much diseases to cure.This program will disseminate information on HIV/AIDS prevention and synthesize the community on the risky behaviors and benefits of behavioral changes. Heal th assurance and assets assistance are initiatives that are meant to ensure that those who run the risk of getting infected with diseases. For instance, there are workers in the health sector like home based care providers for the HIV/ AIDS disease who run the risk of contracting the disease. Asset assistance is geared to giving out assets like rooms for other collaborators in the health sector to deliver health services to the community.The assets are available for groups such as counselors and for mobile disease screening practitioners. The clinic functions will also encompass keeping of birth and death records, emergency services like child delivery services, as well as offering services to the disabled. Apart from these the clinic shall venture into the field and provide educational programs. The clinic shall provide the society with information on environment protection. Environmental protection is a preventive measure on diseases caused by germs such as dysentery and diarrhea. The mission of this clinic is to protect patients suffering from AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases through superior health care system and excellent customer care service on a very reasonable price or at the structure. As it is stated in (Abidi, 2001), the clinic is focused on tackling diseases that are extremely dangerous to the community, and through its employees, endeavors to provide high quality services that are aimed at detection, and prevention of diseases as well as providing educational programs and personal & environmental health.In the organization of the clinic the employees shall be there only for serving the patients with best treatment and facilities and not for earning money. The employees shall be focused on the goals of the organization as described in the mission statement to the latter. The nurses and doctors and other clinic workers shall conduct themselves in line with the ethical attitudes delineated in the work plan of the organization. Again the employees of the clinic shall be required to follow their professional ethics in order to provide high quality services.There is a general tendency of employees to slacken in delivery of services especially if there are no monetary gains being made. This stems from the natural ambition of workers to make profits for their institutions. To avoid this problem from affecting the clinic organization, the workers shall be adequately briefed on the mission of the undertaking. Their ethical sensibility shall be called into the equation. Moreover the employees shall be well renumerated for their services.Good pay will reduce the chances of their breaking of the clinics mission and its ethical code since some may get tempted to make money on the sidelines of the organization. It is known that if the doctor is not well paid they end up starting their own clinics and these results in the doctor giving substandard services in the place of employment. Lack of good pay also increases the chances of the doctor stealing things like medical instruments and medicine from the clinics. The organizations code of ethics shall be based on international ethics medical association standards.The ethics are safeguards for the provision of good services to the patients. The organizations code of ethics shall include: Practice of the medical profession with conscience and dignity. The medical staff shall be required to carry out their duties guided by their conscience and in a manner that are dignified. Conscience will always make the practitioners do their best to avoid guilt, and conducting themselves with dignity the workers shall respect the laws of the profession. Priority is given on the life of the patient.This means that in-spite of all other things that the medical practitioner will be involved in, be it in the clinic or outside the place, they should be ready to attend to patients at any time they are called upon. The urgency involved in their duty sometimes requires that they m ust be ready to attend to patients anytime of the day or night. Respect of the secrets that are confided by patients. The staff of the clinic shall not divulge secrets they get from patients in the course of treatment. Medical practitioners get privy to many secrets of their patients which they get as they conduct oral and physical diagnosis of the patients.It is unethical for the practitioners to let the secrets out. Another ethic is to honor the noble traditions of practicing medicine in all situations. The workers shall be required to uphold to the traditions of the medical profession. The medical field is a field that is vocational in nature and those who go into it are supposed to enthusiastically adherer to the practice of giving medical services without being followed. Good cooperation between co workers. Good cooperation between the workers is a virtue tat requires deliberate effort of each member of the organization.This ethical practice gives each member of the organizatio n an easy time in doing their work. Practice no biases based on religion, nation or race etc. biased practices are some of the leading courses to the derailment of the goals of corporate undertakings. Since the services offered in the clinic are sought after by people from all walks of life it is fundamental for the doctors and nurses to carry out their activities with no bias at all. Never to use medical practice contrary to humanity laws in respect for human life.Humanity laws shall be given priority in all cases a contradiction occurs between the humanity laws and other issues. For instance when there is no money to pay for the subsidized services the medical attendant should give the treatment all the same. Self respect. Self respect goes with dignity medical personnel should show. Someone who respects themselves is more unlikely to be careless in their duty. Consecrate the life to serve humanity. Members of the organization must be dedicate to serving humanity to the best of th eir abilities (Geneva, 1948).The specific contribution of each ethic adds up to a body of work values that are in conformity with the mission of providing the best services to the patients. Within the organization there shall be a culture of collective responsibility. Since all of the work in the organization is ethically bound the members of the organization shall be dedicated to being responsible. This philosophy shall enable the members to check on each other and ensure that all work for the fulfillment of the goals and aspirations of the organization as stipulated in the mission of the organization.Non profit corporations such as those of health care are charities, and being so have exemptions from paying some taxes. The corporation therefore, must be seen to engage in charitable activities as defined in the laws of the state. By the law, non profit organizations can be pushed by government agencies to deliver the services they are supposed to give (Robert, 2006). The organizati on should strive to make sure the government has no reason to resort to using this measure on them. Participatory leadership is suitable for the leader of the clinical organization.The leader therefore shall lead in a manner likely to inspire confidence in the others. The leader shall be an example that the other workers can emulate. They should be embodiment of virtues like dependability, dedication, creativity and proper decision making. The leader is morally responsible to the patient in that they must ensure that the services given out to the patients are of the best possible standard, and that the workers under them perform their duties in accordance to the stipulated ethical code.Being an example, the leader shall effortlessly inspire the adherence to the culture of taking collective responsibility. According to Robert the governing board of hospital has the ultimate responsibility to appoint members of its staff who serve the patients satisfactorily. Then through the constitu tion of by laws the board delegates the responsibility for the patients’ healthcare to the medical staff (Robert, 2006). Relative supervision shall be in place and this will partially ensure the code of ethics is adhered to. Administration members will be in charge of overseeing the coordination of the affairs of the organization.However this duty shall be delegated to departmental heads as this are the people who can accurately see the daily happenings in their areas of specialization. The expectation, however, is that every individual employee shall abide by the ethical code out of their own volition. There shall be freedom of expression among the workers such that those who think others are not following the stipulated ethical practices can openly share their views. In matters which may include danger such as reporting a worker for gross misconduct the employees are advised to report to the relevant authorities.Protection of the whistle blower is guaranteed. It is imperati ve for the employees to know that any action they take that protects the sanctity of the code of ethics is acting ethically. Conclusion As it has been seen through out the paper the organization is dedicated to the provision of high standard medical services to the population. Adequate planning has therefore been put in place for the realization of the goal of providing world class services to the patients suffering from sexually transmitted diseases ands the promotion of general disease prevention measures to members of the society.The mission for the undertaking is the spirit all the other processes that the clinic, as discussed in the paper, needs for optimal performance. Behind the making of the organization structure, the devising of a working culture, the decision on oversight and the deliberation of a skill for leadership is the mission. The resultant organization has a workable structure and definitely will be able to function and deliver the desired result. References Abdi S. S. (2001).Knowledge Management in Healthcare: Towards â€Å"Knowledge Driven’ Decision- Support Devices. International Journal of Medical Informatics. 63(1-2):5-18 Aday, L. A, (1993). At risk in America: The health Care Needs of Vulnerable Populations in the United States. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass Robert D. & Miller, J. D. (2006) Problems in Health Care Law (9th Edition). West Publishing Company. The second General Assembly of the World Medical Association 1948. Medical Ethics Alliance [email  protected] org Retrieved; November 20 2008.

Bus Stop, a 1955 Broadway Play by William Inge

Bus Stop, a 1955 Broadway Play by William Inge William Inges comedy, Bus Stop, is filled with sentimental characters and a slow-but-pleasant, slice-of-life storyline. Although dated, Bus Stop manages to charm its modern audience, if only due to our inherent longing for a simpler, more innocent past. Most of William Inges plays are a mixture of comedy and drama. Bus Stop is no different. It premiered on Broadway in 1955, just on the heels of Inges first Broadway success, Picnic. In 1956, Bus Stop was brought to the silver screen, starring Marilyn Monroe in the role of Cherie. The Plot Bus Stop takes place inside a street-corner restaurant in a small Kansas town about thirty miles west of Kansas City. Due to icy conditions, an inter-state bus is forced to stop for the night. One by one, the bus passengers are introduced, each with their own quirks and conflicts. The Romantic Leads Bo Decker is a young ranch-owner from Montana. He has just fallen head-over-heels for a nightclub singer named Cherie. In fact, he has fallen so wildly in love with her (mainly because he just lost his virginity), he has whisked her onto a bus with the assumption that the young lady will marry him. Cherie, on the other hand, is not exactly going along for the ride. Once she arrives at the bus stop, she informs the local sheriff, Will Masters, that she is being held against her will. What unfolds during the course of the evening is Bos macho attempt at luring her into marriage, followed by a humbling fist-fight with the sheriff. Once he is put in his place, he begins to see things, especially Cherie, differently. Ensemble Characters Virgil Blessing, Bos best friend, and father-figure is the wisest and kindest of the bus passengers. Throughout the play, he tries to educate Bo on the ways of women and the civilized world outside of Montana. Dr. Gerald Lyman is a retired college professor. While at the bus stop cafe, he enjoys reciting poetry, flirting with the teenage waitress, and steadily increasing his blood-alcohol levels. Grace is the owner of the little restaurant. She is set in her ways, having gotten used to being alone. She is friendly, but not trusting. Grace doesnt get too attached to people, making the bus stop an ideal setting for her. In a revealing and amusing scene, Grace explains why she never serves sandwiches with cheese: GRACE: I guess Im kinda self-centered, Will. I dont care for cheese mself, so I never think torder it for someone else. The young waitress, Elma, is the antithesis of Grace. Elma represents youth and naivete. She lends a sympathetic ear to the misbegotten characters, especially the old professor. In the final act, it is revealed that Kansas City authorities have chased Dr. Lyman out of town. Why? Because he keeps making advances on high-school girls. When Grace explains that old fogies like him cant leave young girls alone, Elma is flattered instead of disgusted. This spot is one of many in which Bus Stop shows its wrinkles. Lymans desire for Elma is shaded in sentimental tones, whereas a modern playwright would probably handle the professors deviant nature in a much more serious manner. Pros and Cons Most of the characters are very willing to talk the night away as they wait for the roads to clear. The more they open their mouths, the more clichà © the characters become. In many ways, Bus Stop feels like antiquated sit-com writing which is not necessarily a bad thing; though it does make the writing feel dated. Some of the humor and the comradery taste a bit stale (especially the talent show that Elma coerces the others into). The finest characters in the play are the ones who dont blather as much as the others. Will Masters is the tough-but-fair sheriff. Think of Andy Griffiths amiable nature backed up by Chuck Norris ability to kick butt. Thats Will Masters in a nutshell. Virgil Blessing, perhaps the most admirable character in Bus Stop, is the one who tugs at our heartstrings the most. In the conclusion, when the cafe is closing up, Virgil is forced to stand outside, alone in the dark, frosty morning. Grace says, Im sorry, Mister, but youre just left out in the cold. Virgil replies, mainly to himself, Well... thats what happens to some people. Its a line that redeems the play - a moment of truth that transcends its dated style and its otherwise flat characters. Its a line that makes us wish that the Virgil Blessings and the William Inges of the world would find comfort and solace, a warm place to take off lifes chill.

Johntech Website

Johntech Website Overview Johntech Website does not wish to publish this Acceptable Usage Policy with the intention of curtailing the Johntech visitors’ freedom or undermine the culture of freedom of expression, openness, and trust. Johntech website intends to protect the website’s visitors from damaging or illegal actions by individuals with malicious intentions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Johntech Website specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Purpose The purpose of this AUP is to specify the acceptable behaviors for visitors of the interactive Johntech website hosted by John a technical computer expert with extensive experience in the field of computer technology. Misuse of the interactive website might lead to some users posting illegal links, using abusive language, and posting links that contain viruses. Actions like these ones might lead to complicated legal issues for both Johntech and the website users. Scope Th is policy applies to the website users who may wish to comment on any issues, inquire about various technological issues, reply to any of the posted queries, and provide any new information. The AUP also applies to vendors who might use the website for advertising purposes either directly or indirectly. Policy Johntech wishes to make it clear to all website users that no special privileges are accorded to any particular visitor. The website’s administrator does not communicate directly with any visitors except on an official capacity. Any communication with the administrator should be initiated through the website’s â€Å"contact† section. The website’s users are responsible for using their good judgment when they are posting or commenting about posted materials. The website may sometimes be unavailable for short periods in lieu of maintenance and upgrades. The users’ internet protocol addresses may be recorded and stored by the website in order to assist in the settling of any legal disputes. Unacceptable Behavior All these behaviors are prohibited; use of abusive language, posting of materials without registering with the website first, posting unauthorized download links, direct advertising, and posting more than five comments concerning a single post. Consequences The website’s administrator is at liberty to deregister any visitor who contravenes any of the above rules. All posts that contain a web link have to be authorized by the website’s administrator first. This process may take a period of up to five hours. Johntech is at liberty to reject any posts without warning or explanation.Advertising Looking for essay on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Security Audit The following information relates to the audit conducted on a personal computer on April 10, 2013. A scan of the computer’s operating system revealed that o nly two updates were missing. The first one concerned a music organizing software program, Musicmatch, and the other one concerned Mozilla Firefox the web browser. The computer has a functional and up to date antivirus program. The license of the Karspesky antivirus program installed in the computer is due for renewal in four months time. An evaluation of this antivirus program revealed it was functional. A full system scan revealed that there were no viruses in the computer. There are two user accounts in this computer. The first one belongs to the administrator and the other one belongs to the computer’s guest users. The administrator’s account is password protected while the one for visitors is not. The computer’s firewall is enabled and no other security notifications pop up in the computer’s screen. The administrator has configured a screen saver that is effective after five minutes of idle time. To clear this screen saver, the administrator needs a password. The passwords used in this computer have been in operation for the last two years and they cannot therefore be considered â€Å"strong†. The audit revealed no major security threats.

Campaign Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Campaign Analysis - Essay Example In September 2004, the campaign for real beauty was officially launched for the rise of some consciousness of all issue associate with beauties. The campaign was purposely meant to challenge the stereotypes that had been set by the beauty industry. It had numerous intentions in making as many women as possible feel beautiful every day. The campaign led to the release of the global research that explored the relationship between women and beauty and what beauty links to their happiness all across the world. It was such an effective campaign and was accompanied with much advertising that inspires the society and more especially women to think differently about the definition of beauty. The campaign was also attached with some fundraising initiatives that were aimed at helping young girls who had low self-esteem related to their beauty. The DOVE SELF ESTEEM FUND supported the fund raising initiatives. According to the campaign, every woman was to possess something beautiful and unique. Sixty eight percent of all people believe that unrealistic standards of beauty exist within the advertising world and the media. Forty-seven percent has believed that only attractive women are portrayed in the well-known cultures while eighty-five percent agree that beauty can be achieved through spirit and personal attitude. This was critically analyzed throughout the campaign period that left many individuals convinced about the associated beauty with the dove products. The associated strengths with the company include its broad market equipped with quality products. Their advertising is very much inspiring with much emotional appeal. This has created perfect public relations that give it enormous strengths compared to its competitors. The company has also a positive self-image. This act as a driving factor in motivates every undertaking within the company creates a motivating factor to all the stakeholders. They make broad

Australian Food and Nutrition Policy Research Paper

Australian Food and Nutrition Policy - Research Paper Example These diseases are now prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Lee et al (1994) investigated apparent per capita food and nutrient intake in six remote Australian Aboriginal communities. They found that in comparison to the rest of the Australian community, intake of sugars and sweetened soft drinks were much higher, and intake of whole grains, fruit and vegetables were much lower in Aboriginal communities. Furthermore, they found that white sugar, white flour, bread and meat provided over 50% of the apparent total energy intake for the people of these Aboriginal communities. The high intake of refined carbohydrates and the high percentage of energy intake from meat with excessive visible fat may help explain the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal communities. Hence there is a real need in these communities for a program that will help people modify their patterns of food consumption. A high fibre intake program is proposed to promote consumption of whole grains, vegetables and fruit in Aboriginal populatio n, in order to reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases. To improve nutrition and public health ... s action plan has been developed for all Australians, and the promotion of Indigenous health is also included; the companion document to the EWA program is the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan (NATSINSAP). The proposed high fibre intake program is intended to reinforce the importance of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grain products as outlined by the EWA program, and to improve the accessibility of these foods in remote and rural communities to meet the dietary needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Program aim The high fibre intake program aims to increase the intake of dietary fibre in Aboriginal communities by promoting consumption of whole grain products, fresh vegetables and fruit in order to reduce and eventually eliminate the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the rest of the Australian population. It is hoped that modifying consumption patterns in this way will reduce the incidence of diet-related diseases in these populations. Program objectives Increase the availability of whole grain products in remote and rural food retail sectors. Increase the availability of fresh vegetable and fruit, and also increase the proportion of caned vegetables and fruit, or dry vegetables and fruit, and juices without added sugar in remote food retail sectors. Disseminate the concept of high fibre intake among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Promote a dietary shift from high fat and high refined carbohydrates to high fibre, low fat, and low refined carbohydrate in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Rationale A great deal of scientific research has been dedicated to the study of the relationship between dietary fibre and

Strategy Development Format of JB Hi-Fi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Strategy Development Format of JB Hi-Fi - Essay Example The company has to enhance its appeal to the target audience comprising consumers in the age group of 18-23 years and hence it has to emanate a youthful image that will ensure maximum footfall from these young, energetic individuals. The IMC strategies of JB Hi-Fi are centered on the fundamental objective that it has to draw the attention of its target audience through a lively atmosphere as well as consumer-friendly and helpful personnel that are dedicated to provide unparalleled customer delight. Moreover, the company must bank on its virtual consumer interface through an efficient website and electronic catalogues to enhance its brand awareness among customers. Other genres of media such as television, magazines, newspapers and periodicals will also be of great use in communicating the brand proposition of JB Hi-Fi and will help the company maximize its market penetration as well as brand image. JB Hi Fi is one of the largest Australian retailers of home entertainment products. Th e company offers some of the world’s most popular brands of speakers, Hi-Fi, DVDs, VCRs, car sound, cameras, home theatres, portable audios and computers. JB Hi Fi is also renowned for offering the largest range of recorded music, video games, DVD movies and DVD music. Products are available in both online store as well as traditional brick-and-mortar stores. It is revealed from the primary research that a major portion of JB customers are male. It is found that almost 67% of the customers are male.

Wars of the Roses 1455-1471 Essay Example for Free

Wars of the Roses 1455-1471 Essay Within the context of the period 1337-1471, to what extent can Henry VI be held primarily responsible for the Wars of the Roses 1455-1471? When Henry VI came to the throne in 1431, people already had high expectations of him. At only 8 years old, he had already broken tradition by becoming the first king to rule over both England and France. However, when the minority council finally permitted Henry VI to rule of his own accord, he seemed to be a hopeless King, making severe mistakes that ultimately contributed to beginning of the Wars of the Roses in the period 1455 to 1471. However, there is some debate amongst historians as to whether Henry VI can be held primarily to blame for causing the Wars of the Roses, or whether other factors such as the over mighty subjects, the feuds between noble, and the actions of Margaret of Anjou were greater contributing factors to the outbreak of war. Henry VI’s personality has been criticised by many historians as being unsuited to the role of king. Contemporary interpretations of Henry are that he was terrible at ruling, as he was â€Å"utterly devoid of wit or spirit† (according to Pope Pius II). Subjects who were condemned for speaking ill of the king in the 1440s and 1450s referred to him as â€Å"a sheep†. Victorian views on Henry VI were that he lacked the qualities required for successful kingship, although at that time he was still praised for being â€Å"a pious, humane and Christian character†. The historian Antonia Fraser concludes that â€Å"these were not the attributes of a king and the truth is that Henry had no real wish to act like one†. This suggests that henry’s personality was overall, entirely ill-suited for the role of kingship. Henry’s chaplain John Blacman (writing during the reign of Henry Tudor), although writing somewhat positively about Henry VI, chooses to avoid mentioning Henry VI’S ability to rule and instead focuses on how religious Henry VI is, describing him as â€Å"chaste and pure from the beginning of his days†, and presenting him as a pious and puritanical king. The fact that Blacman puts emphasis on his pious character rather than his ability to rule, suggests that Henry VI was a poor ruler. Dockray comments â€Å"during the reign of Henry VII, at a time when the king was hoping to secure his predecessor’s canonisation†, so this source cannot be trusted. Robin Neillands concludes that â€Å"The accounts of the King’s goodness are largely based on his devotion to religion, at the expense of more pressing secular matters concerning the government of the realm†. The role of the minority council is also an important factor to consider when assessing whether Henry VI was primarily to blame. Henry V had, on his deathbed, made the fundamental arrangements for his son’s minority; Duke John of Bedford was to take charge in France as Regent (as Henry VI was too young to rule), and pursue the war against the Dauphin Charles-while hanging on to Normandy at all costs and maintaining the alliance with Philip the Good, and Humphrey Duke of Gloucester was to keep a watchful eye on England. In 1431, Henry VI was crowned king but the ministers ruled in his stead. This minority council ruled until Henry was in his mid-twenties, well over the normal ruling age, which suggests that Henry VI could not be trusted to rule the kingdom effectively. Gillingham, however, paints a very positive portrayal of Henry VI’s minority. He concludes that it was â€Å"evidence showing that in fifteenth century England there existed a stable political system, con taining in the council an institutional framework within which tensions could be contained and resolved.† K.B. McFarlane referred to Henry VI as â€Å"a baby who grew up to be an imbecile†, and the length of minority supports this view. Contemporary and Yorkist views on Henry VI were that he was a child-like, idiotic king, and that the council made all the decisions for him. The English Chronicle that was published in the 1460s stated that Henry â€Å"was simple and led by a covetous council† and â€Å"that puppet of a king†. Henry is often criticised for relying too heavily on his council, and continuing to support their decisions. Helen Castor states that â€Å"he was proving to be no more capable of leadership as an adult than he had been as an infant†, supporting the view that he was a childlike king incapable of ruing effectively. However, other historians have suggested that Henry VI did in fact take an active role in government, and can be seen as primarily to blame, rather than his minority council. The historian Wolffe claims that the documentation Henry VI signed is proof of his heavy involvement in government. His own involvement in the war in France led to defeat and humiliation, as he pursued his own French policy and made a secret deal with Charles VII to surrender Maine and Anjou, meaning that they lost all of France apart from Calais. By doing this, he had removed two key parts of the empire, making it inevitable for it to crumble. At this point, Henry VI did seem to act of his own accord, as the fact that he made the deal a secret suggest that he knew that many people would disapprove of his actions. All this suggests that Henry was fully in charge of the government and its decisions, and can consequently be blamed for the mistakes made during that time. Another example of Henry playing an active role in ruling is the increase in elevations to the peerage under Henry VI’s rule. During the first thirty six years of the Lancastrian dynasty, only nine elevations were made to the peerage. However, twenty five years later (during Henry’s reign), there were twenty five elevations to the peerage. This massive increase in elevations to the peerage made during Henry’s reign seems to indicate that Henry was in fact playing an active role in ruling. Another reason why Henry VI could be seen as primarily responsible is because his mental collapse during the period 1453-54 left the government unattended, allowing violence to flare up with no authority to deal with it. According to the historian Robin Neillands, it â€Å"flung the whole responsibility for the management of the realm entirely on the Royal Council†, and as a result â€Å"the fragile rule of law in England fell apart†. The quarrel between the Nevilles and the Percies soon escalated into violence in August 1453, despite measures that the Royal Council put in place in a failed attempt to end their quarrelling. However, it is debatable as to whether or not that Henry’s illness made any fundamental change to these events, as he’d already proved himself as incapable of solving these disputes even before his mental collapse. It also led to more conflict between Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York and Somerset. Another key factor to consider is the role of Margaret of Anjou. Henry VI married Margaret, the niece of Charles VII in 1455, when she was fifteen years of age and had no dowry. Some historians have suggested that Margaret was to blame for convincing the king to surrender Maine and Anjou in order to please her, and referred to her as â€Å"the queen who had brought nothing and taken much away†-although as Gillingham points out â€Å"it is unlikely that a fifteen year old girl could wield so much influence within a few months of her arrival at a strange court where most people spoke a language she was yet to learn†. Margaret of Anjou played a pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses, most notably after February 1456, when York’s second protectorate ended, as Margaret managed to establish a power base in the northwest, and also persuade the king to come to Chester, turning the political tide against York. She had successfully stepped into the vacuum left by Henry VI, and continued to play a dominant role in court, creating the Attainment Bill in 1459 to show the extent of her control. Overall, the balance of evidence seems to suggest that Henry was a weak ruler and ill-suited to the role of medieval kingship. He clearly lacked the qualities needed to rule effectively, and there was no clear leadership in any key sphere of government due to Henry’s long absences from power- the minority council ruled in his stead until he was in his mid-twenties, and reappeared when he suffered his mental collapse in the 1450s, and there were others ruling for him. He also failed to stop the feud between York and Somerset before it escalated into violence. He also neglected to stop the quarrels between other nobles. The balance of evidence also seems to point towards the interpretation of Henry VI being far too easily led and manipulated. Helen Castor even goes on to say that he â€Å"did little more than smile and agree to every suggestion his advisers made†. While Jack Cade’s rebellion showed the discontent of the people at that time, the fact that the rebellion was aimed solely against Henry VI’s advisors rather than Henry himself is a clear indicator of how easily manipulated he was, as his own people believed that his advisors were at fault. According to Antonia Fraser, the main demand from the rebels was the punishment of â€Å"the false progeny and affinity of the Duke of Suffolk† and a later chronicler said he â€Å"was simple and led by a covetous counsel†. However, none of this means that Henry VI should be held any less accountable, as he chose the government that was now in place. However, there are other factors that suggest that he wasn’t entirely to blame for the Wars of the Roses. Many historians have identified the family tree of Edward III as a significant factor in causing the wars of the roses for several reasons. One main reason why it could be seen as a significant factor is because it started the debate as to who had the stronger claim to the throne, the house of Lancaster, or the house of York. When Edward II died in 1377, Richard II succeeded him (as Edward the black prince had predeceased his father). However, as she was too young to rule, John of Gaunt ruled in his stead until Richard II turned 20. Richard II banished Gaunt’s heir, Henry Bolingbroke, and Thomas Mobray when they had a quarrel, but made the fatal mistake of seizing all of the wealth of the house of Lancaster. This caused Henry Bolingbroke to return to reclaim his wealth, ultimately ending in Bolingbroke taking the throne of England as Henry IV. By doing so, he ignored the claims of the Mortimer family, which followed back through a woman named Philippa, the daughter of Lionel of Clarence (the second son of Edward iii), and these claims eventually passed down to Richard, duke of York. The Yorkist line seemed to have the stronger claim to the throne than the Lancastrian line, as Richard, earl of Cambridge’s marriage with Anne Mortimer connected his line with the Mortimer line, arguably putting him ahead of the Lancastrians in the line of succession. The debate was that Anne Mortimer was a woman, making Richard Plantagenet’s claim through a female line, so the Lancastrian claim was considered stronger, and also the Yorkist claim was not pursued after 1415, as his father, Richard, earl of Cambridge had been beheaded for treason. This chain of events helped to start off the Wars of the Roses, as it was Richard Plantagenet who founded the house of York. Yet while Edward III’S family tree provided the possibility for war, there are arguably more significant factors. Edward III’s complicated family tree was a factor that drove Richard of Cambridge to attempting to place his brother-in-law, Edmund Mortimer, on the throne, as he believed that Edmund Mortimer had the stronger claim. As it was his son, Richard Plantagenet, who founded the house of York, it suggests that the family tree helped to cause the feud between the house of Lancaster, and the house of York, effectively starting the Wars of the Roses. Henry IV’s usurpation of Richard II in 1399 has been regarded by several historians as the root cause of the Wars of the Roses. In particular, the historian A.L .Rouse stated that â€Å"It all began with a revolution. The revolution of 1399.†When Henry Bolingbroke overthrew Richard II and took the throne, he â€Å"struck at the very foundations of kingship†. During that period, it was believed that the king was always chosen by God. Therefore, it was considered dreadful to overthrow a king, and Shakespeare later described the Wars of the Roses as a form of divine retribution, as punishment for the sins that their predecessors committed. This idea was used as propaganda, and the usurpation was viewed as so shocking that it created the precedent for overthrowing a sacredly anointed king. It also put forward the idea that the divinity of kingship could be passed down to someone else of a stronger bloodline, and Henry IV used this as an excuse by claiming that his ancestor was the eldest son of Henry III. However, there were other contenders to the throne who had a stronger claim than Henry Bolingbroke, and as there was much dispute in later years about who had a stronger claim to the throne, it could be argued that the cause of all these disputes originated. The usurpation of Richard II was also significant because it meant that any person of royal blood who had raised an army, and who had argued with the king could become a contender for the throne, as they could simply overthrow the king and take the crown for themselves. This meant that the throne was never going to be safe from anyone who wished to take it. This made it almost inevitable for war to break out, as any of the following rulers’ claims to the throne could be questioned, and it created political uncertainty and instability due to the fact that the Lancastrian dynasty was based on usurpation. Despite Henry Bolingbroke’s excuse that Richard II had been unfit to rule, it still caused a dispute about whether the usurpation of the throne could really be excused. However, this was not a problem during the reigns of Henry IV and Henry V, and the debate was only brought about when Henry VI’s failings became apparent- had there been a strong, capable ruler on the throne, this debate would not have been reopened. â€Å"Bastard Feudalism† also played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses. The phrase was coined by the historian Charles Plummer. K.B. McFarlane argues that the whole system of bastard feudalism did in fact have the potential to provide stability, suggesting that its contribution to the disorder and instability of that period was merely a reflection of Henry VI’s ineffective rule. This serves to reinforce the argument that it was Henry VI’s inability to rule that created the problems which arose and ultimately culminated in the outbreak of war. Certainly, had a strong king, capable of maintaining control, been placed on the throne, then the system of â€Å"bastard feudalism† would not have proved an issue. It could also be argued that the â€Å"over-mighty subjects such as York and Warwick were to blame for causing the Wars of the Roses. Some historians have argued that Henry VI’s mistrust of York was not justified, as he had legitimate grievances. He had been the king’s lieutenant in France but was replaced by Somerset who was given a larger army. Somerset was even paid  £2 5,000 for troops while York was given nothing and instead told to wait. Somerset’s younger brother was also made lieutenant of France and York was humiliated as lieutenant of Ireland. The government also owed York  £38,666 ( £12,666 of this York agreed to forgo), but they still failed to pay his wages, and even owed him a further  £10,000 due to his hereditary pension. Because of the government’s refusal to pay York the money he was owed, his debt increased to the extent that he was forced to consider selling some of his manors, as well as endanger relationships with his friends by borrowing heavily from them. York also received  £21,000 worth of â€Å"bad tallies†-which were the crown’s method of discharging its debts by handing out tallies on some regular source of income, and receiving the tallies did not guarantee proper payment. Many historians agree that York deserved fairer treatment than this- he had been active in the king’s service abroad and was the crown’s largest single creditor after loaning them  £26,000. The historian Keith Dockray claims that he â€Å"could reasonably expect a prominent role in Henry VI’s council and even, perhaps, formal recognition as the king’s heir†. Many pro-Yorkist chroniclers were of the belief that he was a good person who was being treated very poorly by the â€Å"corrupt clique surrounding the king†(Dockray). The English Chronicle states that â€Å"common people hated Somerset but loved York because he loved the commons and [reserved the common profit of this land†. According to K.B. Mcfarlane, some of the blame can still be attributed to the king, because â€Å"only an under-mighty ruler had anything to fear from over-mighty subjects†. This links back to the key problem underlying all these factors-Henry VI was a poor ruler, and so the stability of the government depended on his ability to assert authority and make good decisions. The development of bastard feudalism, caused by the growth of affinities, also helped to cause instability between the king and his magnates, as it enabled the magnates to subvert the wishes of the crown and take the law into their own hands. According to Neillands, the magnates â€Å"began to maintain bodies of soldiers, even in peacetime, and this â€Å"maintenance† was not illegal â€Å"unless the lord attempted to support his retainer in outlawry or by influencing the court of law†. As a result, violence became widespread due to Henry VI’s inability to maintain control of the system. Gillingham, however, paints a very positive portrayal of Henry VI’s minority. He concludes that it was â€Å"evidence showing that in fifteenth century England there existed a stable political system, containing in the council an institutional framework within which tensions could be contained and resolved.† However, Richard Plantagenet’s contemporaries tended to be more critical when assessing whether he deserved this treatment. The historian J.R. Lander referred to him as â€Å"an ambitious, opportunist and self-interested magnate who failed to win much committed support from his peers†. Many of York’s contemporary critics believed that he was far more motivated by self-interest rather than concern for public good, and some even called him a traitor. This is evident in a Chancery memorandum in 1456 that claimed that all disturbances since Cade’s rebellion had been â€Å"at the will of the Duke of York, descended from the Mortimers’. The fact that he is not only blamed for the disturbances after Cade’s rebellion, but there is also an accusatory remark about his lineage, clearly suggests that he had not won the support of his peers. The Coventry Parliament in 1459 even wrote a catalogue of his alleged treacheries, and the tract Somnium Vigilantes criticised his behaviour as being â€Å"subversive to the commonwealth†. The events in 1452 also support this view; York started a campaign to remove Somerset from power which failed, so he had to resort to an armed force. He also confronted the king at Blackheath with armed retainers, with a view to finally gaining his deserved position beside the king. According to the historian J.R. Lander, one contemporary writer claims that he â€Å"surrendered on the promise that Somerset would be arrested†. However, this failed, as little support from nobles and the common people led to his humiliation. These events suggest that York was indeed ambitious and self-interested with little support. When York returned from Ireland in 1450, many of the king’s servants became suspicious. Despite returning because he was worried about the return of Somerset from France, the king’s servants assumed he was there to overthrow the king due to rumours spread about during that time. This suggests that he certainly did not have the approval of the public, as they were prepared to believe in rumours rather than trusting in his character. Overall, the balance of evidence seems to suggest that Henry VI was primarily responsible for the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI’s incompetence allowed rebellion to take place, and his inability to rule effectively meant that the government was filled with over-mighty subjects all vying for power. He also worsened the disputes between the nobles and increased tensions between them, creating the perfect conditions for war to take place. Although he cannot be blamed substantially for the defeat in France, he did play a role in events by surrendering Maine and Anjou. The usurpation in 1399 also heightened all of these factors, as it encouraged the belief that God was against his rule. None of the key factors responsible for the Wars of the Roses would have been as influential on events if Henry VI had been the dominant, assertive ruler everyone needed him to be. Bibliography: The Wars of the Roses by John Gillingham The Wars of the Roses by Robin Neillands The Wars of the Roses by Antonia Fraser The Wars of the Roses by J.R.Lander Blood and Roses by Helen Castor Bosworth Field and the Wars of the Roses by A.L .Rowse Henry VI and the Politics of Kingship by John Watts