Celebrating Achievements and Face Advercity in Langson...

In the poem â€Å"Negro† by Langston Hughes the speakers goes into deep thought as he reflects on the different hats African Americans have worn throughout history. The speaker is very proud to be an African American as he celebrates the achievements African Americans have made throughout history although faced with adversity. The â€Å"Negro† was written by Langston Hughes who was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, but also lived in Illinois, Ohio, and Mexico. The first poem he wrote was â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers in the Crisis, which was edited by his mentor W E. B. Du Bois. That poem was written while he attended Columbia University in New York. After college he was able to travel abroad. He went to the†¦show more content†¦The speaker addresses the younger African American generation to advise them to acknowledge what they have been through and to be proud of whom they’ve become. The speaker shows that heâ⠂¬â„¢s pleased throughout the poem. The speaker uses dramatic incidents to describe his story and to grain the reader’s attention. The speaker chooses to use the word â€Å"Negro† because it was used in a negative way toward African Americans. The speaker wanted to make light of the word. The speaker uses irony in the poem by taking a word that was used to be demeaning and boasting about it. The poem style is Lyric and there is consistency throughout the poem. (Kirszner and Mandell) Merriam-Webster defines the word â€Å"Negro† as a member of a race of humankind native to Africa and classified according to physical features (as dark skin pigmentation.) The speaker would believe that the Merriam-Webster definition of the word â€Å"Negro† was inadequate. The speaker would refer to himself as â€Å"The New Negro.† The New Negro Movement was created by Walter White in the 1920’s to help encourage African Americans to celebrate their heritage and promote cultural self-expression, economic independence, and progressive politics and this is what our speaker was doing in this poem. The New Negro Movement was later to become the Harlem Renaissance. (The New Negro Movement) In wearing the different hats of a â€Å"Negro† the speaker makes note of his different roles

Famine Affluence And Morality - 1963 Words

In â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality,† Peter Singer emphasizes the potential revisionary implications of accepting utilitarianism as a guide for conduct. The moral philosophy Singer conveys in this text are most closely related and comparable to the ideas of nineteenth-century English philosopher, John Stuart Mill as Singers’ approach is utilitarian rather than deontological. Despite their similarities, the ideas of Singer and J.S Mill contain many discrepancies, especially with regard to whether they lean towards act utilitarianism or rule utilitarianism. Although Singer and Mill both adhere to a consequentialist theory as their moral philosophy, Singer upholds a more socialistic view and focuses on maximizing the happiness of a community†¦show more content†¦From there, he further adds a weaker version of the second principle as he subsites â€Å"something of roughly equal moral importance† for â€Å"something of moral significance† (506). He provides an example for this weaker principle, which is as follows: if one is in a position to save a child drowning in a pond, one should do so even though one might get their clothes muddy as that is not a morally significant cost and the child’s death would be an extremely morally bad state of affairs (506). There is potentially a third premise, which is that we can not only prevent, but alleviate this poverty induced suffering, without sacrificing something of comparable moral importance. Following the premises, Singer presents his conclusion, which is that we ought to contribute as much as we can to the eradication of poverty, until doing so harms us more than it benefits them. In other words, we should give to the extent that if we were to give more, we would cause ourselves as much suffering as we are preventing from someone else. As mentioned, while Singer’s moral philosophy is most closely related to utilitarianism, there are differences between his theory and Mill’s. Unlike Singer, whose assertion although not entirely, likely holds better under Benthamite act utilitarianism, Mill’s theory is instead linked to rule-utilitarianism. SingerShow MoreRelatedFamine, Affluence and Morality1663 Words   |  7 PagesSinger’s Famine, Affluence, and Morality Ametra Heard PHI208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor Zummuna Davis January 14, 2013 Singer’s Famine, Affluence, and Morality In the Peter Singer’s article â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, he discusses the way that people should take moral in their help toward the support of the Bengal famine crisis. Singer states three obligations that would help the Bengal region through the means of a wealthy person, and those individuals living life on a dayRead MoreFamine, Affluence, And Morality1555 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween numerous countries across the world, and enables people living in developed countries to help those who are experiencing famine, deaths and diseases in poor countries. However, the moral necessity of doing so has been controversial in human’s society for years. One philosopher named Peter Singer gives his opinion in the article â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, and presents a powerful argument supporting his claim. In this essay, I will explain his conclusion and main argument, propose oneRead MoreFamine, Affluence, And Morality906 Words   |  4 Pa gesWithin â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality† Peter Singer delves into the topic of famine; specifically, the moral obligations individuals in affluent countries have to those who are suffering. In his example, Singer focuses on the population of East Bengal, and their struggle with famine and extreme poverty. Singer proposes that with enough aid from both individuals and various governments extreme poverty can be eradicated. Therefore, the question he presents is why poor people are dying while affluentRead MoreFamine, Affluence, And Morality1991 Words   |  8 PagesWojtek Sokà ³Ã…‚ Phi 115-002 Ethics – Final Paper Famine, Affluence, and Morality Peter Singer Jimmy carter once said, We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist, one-third rich and two-thirds hungry. With the world now more interconnected than ever there might be a solution to world hunger by distribution of wealth. Peter Singer, in his article titled, Famine, Affluence, and Morality, takes this concept of unity that we have on a global scale and tries to tackle the issue of world hunger. BeforeRead MoreFamine, Affluence, and Morality Essay892 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article by Singer, P. (1972) â€Å"Famine, affluence, and morality† main argument is that to persuade his readers in what people of wealth and governments should help with famine relief, especially in East Bengal as one example given. Singer is furthermore also mention somewhat of and utilitarianism. Therefore, according to Mosser, K. (2010) â€Å"A concise introduction to philosophy† states that the â€Å"act utilitarianism applies the idea of utilitarianism to specific acts, emphasizi ng what moral isRead More Famine, Affluence, and Morality Essay2027 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality,† Peter Singer is trying to argue that â€Å"the way people in relatively affluent countries react to a situation†¦ cannot be justified; indeed,†¦ our moral conceptual scheme needs to be altered and with it, the way of life that has come to be taken for granted in our society†(Singer 230). Peter Singer provides striking examples to show the reader how realistic his arguments are. In this paper, I will briefly give a summary ofRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singers929 Words   |  4 Pages In this essay I will be arguing why a utilitarian could possibly disagree with Peter Singers Argument presented in â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality.† After reading such an interesting paper I must say as much as I disagreed with Singers viewpoints I almost found it difficult to object them with support. From a utilitarian point of view we are to maximize Happiness by reducing suffering. How can Giving possible make someone unhappy? But as I was thinking a saying came across my mind, â€Å"Two steps forwardRead MoreFamine, Affluence, and Morality Essay1371 Words   |  6 PagesFamine, Affluence, and Morality Websters English Dictionary defines morality as: the conformity to ideals of right human conduct. With this in mind, I wonder who determines right human conduct? Religion aside, there is no literary context that strictly states the rights and wrongs of human behavior. So who decides? Who determines what we ought morally to do and what we are obligated to do as a society? An Australian philosopher, Peter Singer attempts to draw the line between obligationRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Pete Singer1045 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article, â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, Pete Singer, a Utilitarian, argues that citizens in affluent countries such as the United States have a moral obligation to give up as much as they can for famine relief. Singer’s contention in his article is that the way we morally conduct ourselves ought to be reappraised. (Singer, 230). I Singer’s argument, and in this paper, I will examine the distinction between duty a nd charity, compare both deontological and consequential theories of ethicsRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singer1486 Words   |  6 PagesIn his own essay â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality†, Peter Singer puts forth some compelling arguments for affluent people to give what they have in excess, to the suffering people of the world. Before any criticism is made, here is the argument: - There are people suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care. - People suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care is bad. - If you have the power to prevent something bad from happening without sacrificing †¨anything

Measure Power- International Relations Free Essays

Answer to Question 1 Power in international relations is measured first by the economic standing of the states involved, that is, by the state’s current economic status. Immanuel Wallerstein proposed that economic power may well be the key to understanding power relations between countries belonging from the First and Third World; the latter as source of raw materials and skilled manpower and the former the producer of finished product Those countries which have a large military have the high probability of compelling other countries (which have relatively weaker armed force) to obey its political will. — A state can be powerful in three different senses: economic, geographical, and militarily. We will write a custom essay sample on Measure Power- International Relations or any similar topic only for you Order Now A large country may have a considerable bargaining power in international relations as in the case of China; a military state like the Soviet Union and an economic power like Germany. Answer to Question 2 During ancient times, power is roughly measured by the geographical size of a state. The terms â€Å"empire, kingdom, vassal state, and satraps (vassal kingdoms)† prove that saliency of state size as a factor of power. During the middle ages, the same can be applied but with much modification. Those kingdoms and duchies close to the Roman See were given special favors (such as blessings to be crowned the next king or duke), hence they become powerful. In modern times, technology and high economic output (GNP) is the measurement of power; as reasons stated earlier (only the predominant measurement of power is recognized). Answer to Question 3 Both countries have large armed forces, with a large arsenal of nuclear weapons. The United States is an economic power, while the Soviet Union has faced serious economic turndowns. US is the â€Å"leader† of NATO and USSR of the Warsaw Pact countries – the former is more solid and militarily efficient, and the latter of loose military federation of countries. Nevertheless, in world history, both countries were deemed as superpowers for their ability to compel other nations to obey its political agenda. References: Wallerstein, Immanuel. 1974. The Modern World System. 2nd volume. New York Academic Press. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_power       How to cite Measure Power- International Relations, Essay examples

Eleven Japan supply chain management free essay sample

In order for a convenience store chain to be responsive, which mean providing customer with what they need, when they need it and where they need it, some different ways to do are: a) Have large inventory in terms of quantity, variety and quick replenishment in order to be able to respond quickly to customer demand Risk associated:high cost: warehouse, transportation  high Implied Demand Uncertainty: little time to react, risk of inventory that cannot be sold b) Provide highly innovative products in order to provide customer with the best product and/or newest technology Risk associated:high cost: investment into new product high Implied Demand Uncertainty: because the product is new, demand is uncertain c) Provide high level of service quality Risk associated:high cost: staff, training high Implied Demand Uncertainty: customer expectation becomes high over time 2. For Seven-Eleven Japan, when trying to micro-match supply and demand using rapid replenishment, they can face the following risks: High cost of transportation: this choice require frequent delivery and a large number of trucks visiting a store per day, since each truck only carries certain types of product (depends on temperature of storage condition required) Human resources: store staff will have to arrange and re-arrange shelves frequently (according to meal time of a day, for instance). We will write a custom essay sample on Eleven Japan supply chain management or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This may distract them from providing other services to store customer. When demand fluctuates, products become redundant while shelf space is occupied 3. In order to develop capabilities that support its supply chain strategy, Seven-Eleven Japan has made the following decisions in terms of facility location, inventory management, transportation and information infrastructure: Facility location: high density of stores in area where demand is already known (dominant area). Stores are located around a Distribution Center (DC). Inventory management: each store carries an average of 3,000 stock keeping units (SKU) out of 5,000 SKUs that they choose from. DC does not carry any inventory, they just transfer inventory from suppliers’ trucks to Seven-Eleven distribution trucks. Transportation: Distribution trucks are categorized into four kinds of temperature-controlled trucks: frozen food, chilled food, room temperature processed food and warm food. Each truck will make delivery to a number of stores in the area during off-peak hours. When the truck arrives at the store, the driver dropped the delivery and leave, store clerk does not need to present at that moment. It is operated based on trust and convenience. Transportation provide by Transfleet Ltd., a company of Mitsui Co. that serve exclusive to Seven-Eleven Japan. Information infrastructure: the key purpose is to utilize advanced IT to simplify operation. They installed Total Information System, which connect every single store with Head quarter, suppliers and Distribution Center. The system can be briefly described with below components and functionalities: Network: Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN): linking more than 5000 stores Hardware: Graphic order terminal: used by store manager/owner to place orders. Items are recorded by shelf order. When placing order, details analysis of POS data, including sales analysis, SUKs, sales trends for 10 weeks/10 day, sales trend for new product, slow moving items etc†¦ will be provided. Orders will be sent via store computer to appropriate vendor and Seven-Eleven distribution center Scanner terminal: used to read barcode and record inventory when receiving incoming delivery from DC Store computer: linked to IDSN, POS register, graphic order terminal and scanner terminal to do all the communication and information flow POS: is used collect point-of-sale information, consisting POS cash registers and terminal control equipment. POS register is used by cashiers to record item information, time of sale plus their input about customer: age range, gender. These data is collected by 11pm each day and is ready to be analyzed on the next morning Total Information System helps Seven-Eleven to match supply and demand: shelves arrangement due to daily pattern; non/slow moving items replacement; decision to continue stocking a new item within a week. The key point is not to waste valuable shelf space. 4. When Seven-Eleven does not allow direct store delivery in Japan, but instead has all product flow through its distribution center, the benefits it can get are: Better reservation of products, hence better quality of products: because at DC, products are classified and transferred to temperature-controlled trucks, they will be in good condition when making their way to store Save on resources: because the delivery trucks that come to each store are Seven-Eleven trucks, delivery is based on trust, the store does not need to assign staff to present at delivery time. They can focus on serving store customer and receive delivery later when there are few customers. Besides, with delivery from Seven-Eleven DC and trucks, store delivery can be done via Scanner terminal, which makes information transparent and easier to be recorded and controlled. However, direct store delivery will be more appropriate when the density of store is not too high, and each store does not carry such wide variety of products Efficiency and cost saving: The number of delivery trucks required per day for each store is reduced (from 70 trucks in 1974 down to 9 trucks in 2006) 5. The 7Dream concept for Seven-Eleven Japan is a business model that provides convenience, or in other words, value-added service to customer. It will help to bring customer to the store and also improve Seven-Eleven’s reputation and brand awareness. From a supply chain perspective, this concept is likely to be more successful in Japan it is in the United States. Reasons are: The frequency that American customers visit their convenience store is not as high as that of Japanese customers Seven-Eleven stores are easily accessed to most Japanese, while this easiness varies widely in America from city to city. Due to cultural reason, American preferred to have their online purchases delivered to their house, even when they are not home at the delivery time. Both customers and couriers are used to delivery parcels being left on the door of a closing house. 6. Seven-Eleven is attempting to duplicate the supply chain structure that has succeeded in Japan and the United States with the introduction of CDCs. The pros and cons of this approach are: Pros: Enable Seven-Eleven to continue their goal of introducing more fresh food item in order to move their competencies out if traditional gas station food mart market, into a new market segment with Starbuck-like models. CDS allows Seven-Eleven to have more control over these fresh items quality, hence raise their competitive level Cons: With DSC from wholesalers and manufacturers continue to take place, there will be overlapping of delivery on some certain type of products Moreover, store staff will then have to accommodate deliveries from an increased number of trucks at different time during a day, which put a pressure on store resources. 7. Food service in United States: when having a distributor replenish convenience stores versus a company like Seven-Eleven managing is own distribution function, the pros and cons are: a. Having a distributor replenish convenience stores

MBA Sample Essay - Important Accomplishments

One of my most important accomplishments occurred during my association with a restaurant chain, for which I served as director of real estate. As a relatively new corporation, this business realized that it could only grow by opening more outlets. I played a key role in helping it achieve that critical objective. I was responsible for opening nine additional stores (there were six when I joined the company), which brought company sales from just under $10 million to $27 million by the time I left.It was my assignment to find and lease appropriate sites for our new restaurants. This was a complicated process for a number of reasons. For one, due to construction restrictions and a brisk economy, there were very few buildings available in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. This created a landlords market, with high rents and conditions not generally conducive to restaurant expansion. In this environment, I had to be especially resourceful and aggressive in order to do my job. Then, on ce I found a location that met with top managements approval, I was in charge of negotiating the deal. Such deals are complex because one is negotiating not only with landlords and attorneys but also with space planners, contractors, the city, and the health department. In the case of spaces in regional malls, I often had to work with the in-house architect and construction supervisor, as well as with the owners design review committee. It was necessary to understand and comply with the requirements of all these various entities, although negotiation was always very much a part of the process. In my earlier experience, as a broker with a major real estate firm, I operated from a different position, representing a buyer or a seller. As real estate director for a corporation, I was suddenly an in-house principal, part of a corporate team, and it was essential that I take into account how the details of each deal would affect our business. The restaurant chain is a real estate-driven b usiness, so my work and accomplishments were particularly vital to the companys success during this crucial phase of its development.Another of my most important accomplishments was helping the homeless through my work for a foundation, of which I am a co-founder. This experience was remarkable because it afforded me the privilege of making a positive difference in the lives of others. The foundation achieves its goals in a number of ways. For example, for one local Family Living Center, we brought together builders and developers (who provided their services on a volunteer basis) to upgrade existing facilities, some of which were quite old and decrepit. I coordinated the work of construction teams doing the improvements. I would define the scope of the project and then assist the general contractor in subcontracting the work. I also had to go through the city permit process, which was quite unusual due to the fact that ours was a structure for the homeless.Also, for three consecuti ve years, I was the operations man for a major 10K Race for the Homeless, which I originated and which was designed to raise both money and the publics consciousness of this problem. Each year about six months of planning and work would be required to set up the event, which involved many elements. Among other activities, I had to coordinate all aspects of the race with the city, police, and fire departments, establish the course and have it certified, secure the cooperation of affected neighborhood groups, and set up a complex management structure (to recruit and train volunteers as well as handle a myriad of other details). During the three years I was involved, participation in the event increased threefold and the amount of funds raised increased fourfold.During a recent spring, I was presented with an opportunity to make a big difference in another persons life. At that time there was a six-car pileup on a highway in northern California. Heading north on the freeway just moment s after this accident occurred and when the road was still open, I found my attention riveted to one particular car—crushed like an accordion—that was on fire with its driver still inside. I quickly pulled to the side of the highway, parked my car, jumped out, and ran to the car on fire. Its occupant, a teenage boy, was in a state of shock. I attempted to calm him down and then, with the help of another motorist, I used a crowbar to open the cars door. I extricated the driver from the wreckage and carried him to the side of the road before his car became totally engulfed in flames. The boy suffered a broken leg and hip, but he survived. My act was heralded in the newspapers and recognized by a citation from the highway patrol and the county in which the event occurred, but this hardly equaled the feeling I received from having saved this boys life. Mine was a totally spontaneous and unpremeditated act, but I regard its consequence as one of my greatest accomplishments.

Why Trenches Were Used in World War I

Why Trenches Were Used in World War I During trench warfare, opposing armies conduct battle, at a  relatively close range, from a series of ditches dug into the ground. Trench warfare becomes necessary when two armies face a stalemate, with neither side able to advance and overtake the other. Although trench warfare has been employed since ancient times, it was used on an unprecedented scale on the Western Front during World War I. Why Trench Warfare in WWI? In the early weeks of the First World War (late in the summer of 1914), both German and French commanders anticipated a war that would involve a large amount of troop movement, as each side sought to gain or defend territory. The Germans initially swept through parts of Belgium and northeastern France, gaining territory along the way. During the First Battle of the Marne in September 1914, the Germans were pushed back by Allied forces. They subsequently dug in to avoid losing any more ground. Unable to break through this line of defense, the Allies also began to dig protective trenches. By October 1914, neither army could advance its position, mainly because war was being waged in a very different way than it had been during the 19th century. Forward-moving strategies such as head-on infantry attacks were no longer effective or feasible against modern weaponry such as machine guns and heavy artillery. This inability to move forward created the stalemate. What began as a temporary strategy evolved into one of the main features of the war at the Western Front for the next four years. Construction and Design of Trenches Early trenches were little more than foxholes or ditches, intended to provide a measure of protection during short battles. As the stalemate continued, however, it became obvious that a more elaborate system was needed. The first major trench lines were completed in November 1914. By the end of that year, they stretched 475 miles, starting at the North Sea, running through Belgium and northern France, and ending in the Swiss frontier. Although the specific construction of a trench was determined by the local terrain, most were built according to the same basic design. The front wall of the trench, known as the parapet, was about 10 feet high. Lined with sandbags from top to bottom, the parapet also featured 2 to 3 feet of sandbags stacked above ground level. These provided protection, but also obscured a soldiers view. A ledge, known as the fire-step, was built into the lower part of the ditch and allowed a soldier to step up and see over the top (usually through a peephole between sandbags) when he was ready to fire his weapon. Periscopes and mirrors were also used to see above the sandbags. The rear wall of the trench, known as the parados, was lined with sandbags as well, protecting against a rear assault. Because constant shelling and frequent rainfall could cause the trench walls to collapse, the walls were reinforced with sandbags, logs, and branches. Trench Lines Trenches were dug in a zigzag pattern so that if an enemy entered the trench, he could not fire straight down the line. A typical trench system included a line of three or four trenches: the front line (also called the outpost or the fire line), the support trench, and the reserve trench, all built parallel to one another and anywhere from 100 to 400 yards apart. The main trench lines were connected by communicating trenches, allowing for the movement of messages, supplies, and soldiers and were lined with barbed wire. The space between the enemy lines was known as No Mans Land. The space varied but averaged about 250 yards. Some trenches contained dugouts below the level of the trench floor, often as deep as 20 or 30 feet. Most of these underground rooms were little more than crude cellars, but some, especially those farther back from the front, offered more conveniences, such as beds, furniture,  and stoves. The German dugouts were generally more sophisticated; one such dugout captured in the Somme Valley in 1916 was found to have toilets, electricity, ventilation, and even wallpaper. Daily Routine in the Trenches Routines varied among the different regions, nationalities, and individual platoons, but the groups shared many similarities. Soldiers were regularly rotated through a basic sequence: fighting in the front line, followed by a period in the reserve or support line, then later, a brief rest period. (Those in reserve might be called upon to help the front line if needed.) Once the cycle was completed, it would begin anew. Among the men in the front line, sentry duty was assigned in rotations of two to three hours. Each morning and evening, just before dawn and dusk, the troops participated in a stand-to, during which men (on both sides) climbed up on the fire-step with rifle and bayonet at the ready. The stand-to served as preparation for a possible attack from the enemy at a time of day- dawn or dusk- when most of these attacks were likeliest to occur. Following the stand-to, officers conducted an inspection of the men and their equipment. Breakfast was then served, at which time both sides (almost universally along the front) adopted a brief truce. Most offensive maneuvers (aside from artillery shelling and sniping) were carried out in the dark when soldiers were able to climb out of the trenches clandestinely to conduct surveillance and carry out raids. The relative quiet of the daylight hours allowed men to discharge their assigned duties during the day. Maintaining the trenches required constant work: repair of shell-damaged walls, removal of standing water, the creation of new latrines, and the movement of supplies, among other vital jobs. Those spared from performing daily maintenance duties included specialists, such as stretcher-bearers, snipers, and machine-gunners. During brief rest periods, soldiers were free to nap, read, or write letters home, before being assigned to another task. Misery in the Mud Life in the trenches was nightmarish, aside from the usual rigors of combat. Forces of nature posed as great a threat as the opposing army. Heavy rainfall flooded trenches and created impassable, muddy conditions. The mud not only made it difficult to get from one place to another; it also had other, more dire consequences. Many times, soldiers became trapped in the thick, deep mud; unable to extricate themselves, they often drowned. The pervading precipitation created other difficulties. Trench walls collapsed, rifles jammed, and soldiers fell victim to the much-dreaded trench foot. Similar to frostbite, trench foot developed as a result of men being forced to stand in water for several hours, even days, without a chance to remove wet boots and socks. In extreme cases, gangrene would develop and a soldiers toes, or even his entire foot, would have to be amputated. Unfortunately, heavy rains were not sufficient to wash away the filth and foul odor of human waste and decaying corpses. Not only did these unsanitary conditions contribute to the spread of disease, they also attracted an enemy despised by both sides- the lowly rat. Multitudes of rats shared the trenches with soldiers and, even more horrifying, they fed upon the remains of the dead. Soldiers shot them out of disgust and frustration, but the rats continued to multiply and thrived for the duration of the war. Other vermin that plagued the troops included head and body lice, mites and scabies, and massive swarms of flies. As terrible as the sights and smells were for the men to endure, the deafening noises that surrounded them during heavy shelling were terrifying. Amid a heavy barrage, dozens of shells per minute might land in the trench, causing ear-splitting (and deadly) explosions. Few men could remain calm under such circumstances; many suffered emotional breakdowns. Night Patrols and Raids Patrols and raids took place at night, under cover of darkness. For patrols, small groups of men crawled out of the trenches and inched their way into No Mans Land. Moving forward on elbows and knees toward the German trenches and cutting their way through the dense barbed wire on their way. Once the men reached the other side, their goal was to get close enough to gather information by eavesdropping or to detect activity in advance of an attack. Raiding parties were much larger than patrols, encompassing about 30 soldiers. They, too, made their way to the German trenches, but their role was more confrontational. Members of the raiding parties armed themselves with rifles, knives, and hand grenades. Smaller teams took on portions of the enemy trench, tossing in grenades, and killing any survivors with a rifle or bayonet. They also examined the bodies of dead German soldiers, searching for documents and evidence of name and rank. Snipers, in addition to firing from the trenches, also operated from No Mans Land. They crept out at dawn, heavily camouflaged, to find cover before daylight. Adopting a trick from the Germans, British snipers hid inside O.P. trees (observation posts). These dummy trees, constructed by army engineers, protected the snipers, allowing them to fire at unsuspecting enemy soldiers. Despite these strategies, the nature of trench warfare made it almost impossible for either army to overtake the other. Attacking infantry was slowed down by the barbed wire and bombed-out terrain of No Mans Land, making the element of surprise unlikely. Later in the war, the Allies did succeed in breaking through German lines using the newly-invented tank. Poison Gas Attacks In April 1915, the Germans unleashed an especially sinister new weapon at Ypres in northwestern Belgium: poison gas. Hundreds of French soldiers, overcome by deadly chlorine gas, fell to the ground, choking, convulsing, and gasping for air. Victims died a slow, horrible death as their lungs filled with fluid. The Allies began producing gas masks to protect their men from the deadly vapor, while at the same time adding poison gas to their arsenal of weapons. By 1917, the box respirator became standard issue, but that did not keep either side from the continued use of chlorine gas and the equally-deadly mustard gas. The latter caused an even more prolonged death, taking up to five weeks to kill its victims. Yet poison gas, as devastating as its effects were, did not prove to be a decisive factor in the war because of its unpredictable nature (it relied upon wind conditions) and the development of effective gas masks. Shell Shock Given the overwhelming conditions imposed by trench warfare, it is not surprising that hundreds of thousands of men fell victim to shell shock. Early in the war, the term referred to what was believed to be the result of an actual physical injury to the nervous system, brought about by exposure to constant shelling. Symptoms ranged from physical abnormalities (tics and tremors, impaired vision and hearing, and paralysis) to emotional manifestations (panic, anxiety, insomnia, and a near-catatonic state.) When shell shock was later determined to be a psychological response to emotional trauma, men received little sympathy and were often accused of cowardice. Some shell-shocked soldiers who had fled their posts were even labeled deserters and were summarily shot by a firing squad. By the end of the war, however, as cases of shell shock soared and came to include officers as well as enlisted men, the British military built several military hospitals devoted to caring for these men. The Legacy of Trench Warfare Due in part to the Allies use of tanks in the last year of the war, the stalemate was finally broken. By the time the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, an estimated 8.5 million men (on all fronts) had lost their lives in the so-called war to end all wars. Yet many survivors who returned home would never be the same, whether their wounds were physical or emotional. By the end of World War I, trench warfare had become the very symbol of futility; thus, it has been a tactic intentionally avoided by modern-day military strategists in favor of movement, surveillance, and airpower.

Environmental Problems in Africa Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Environmental Problems in Africa - Article Example Africa, specifically the Sub- Saharan states are enriched with natural resources of many kinds, yet it cannot overcome the poverty which its residents have been living in for centuries. According to the World Summit on sustainable Development (WSSD) in Africa in 2002 as mentioned in an article posted www.articlebase.com on 27 October, 2006, Africa is currently facing lack of fresh water, barren lands, deforestation, which has led to extinction of different species of birds and animals. The trade of oil through sea has resulted in water-pollution. Similarly the waste from industries is disposed off in water, which has ruined the life of different species of fish and marine-life. Trees cut to light fire for cooking and other purposes have led to deforestation. Poverty generates pollution which in turn generates poverty. This constant cycle has come into being as a result of development of factories and industries all over the world which has opened employment opportunities for those working in rural areas. Because of more and more mobility and networking among the people, there has been an increase in the need of all sorts of vehicles which consume oil to function. Oil is the basic source of income for many countries. But in the course of exploration of oil, much harm is caused to the environment. Though USA has taken some initiatives to eradicate poverty from Africa. It was mentioned in the same article as mentioned before that USA had planned to grant 4.5 billion $ to Africa over the course of next three years to launch an anti-HIV program and improve access to fresh and clean water for the Africans. These days, everybody is worried about the consequences of the destroyed natural environment which has caused a fundamental change in the social environment. Increase in pollution has made human beings take some steps to protect themselves against the evils of pollution. This has resulted in increased use of face-masks, bottled water