Wednesday, December 25, 2019

The Black Death in Medieval Europe Essay - 1612 Words

The Black Death in Medieval Europe The Bubonic Plague, more commonly referred to as the Black Death, ravaged Europe between the years 1347 and 1350 (Herzog, 2000). During this short period, according to Herzog (2000), 25 million people (which were about one third of Europes population at the time) were killed. In another article, Herlihy (1997), however, claimed that two thirds of Europe’s population were killed. Nevertheless, it is ascertained that thousands of people died each week and dead bodies littered the streets. Once a family member had contracted the disease, the entire household was doomed to die. Parents abandoned their children, and parent-less children roamed the streets in search for food. Victims, delirious with†¦show more content†¦As a parting shot, â€Å"the Mongol commander loaded a few of the plague victims onto his catapults and hurled them into the town† (Nelson, 1995, par. 13). Some of the merchants according to Nelson (1995) â€Å"†¦left Kaffa for Constantinople as soon as the Mongols had departed, and they carried the plague with them† (par. 13). It spread from Constantinople along the trade routes, causing tremendous mortality along the way (Nelson, 1995). How the disease was transmitted was further looked on by Nelson (1995). According to the said author, the disease was transmitted primarily by fleas and rats. The stomachs of the fleas were infected with bacteria known Y. Pestis. Nelson held that â€Å"the bacteria would block the throat of infected fleas so that no blood could reach their stomachs, and they grew ravenous since they were starving to death† (1995, par. 14). The bacteria would then attempt to suck up blood from their victims, only to disgorge it back into their preys bloodstreams (Nelson, 1995). Now, however, the victims blood was mixed with Y. Pestis. Fleas infected rats in this fashion, and the rats spread the disease to other rats and fleas before dying (Nelson, 1995). Without rodent hosts, the fleas then migrated to the bodies of humans and infected them in the same fashion as they had the rats . The disease according to Nelson (1995) appeared in three forms (refer to footnote) . â€Å"The plague lasted in each area onlyShow MoreRelatedThe Black Death And Its Effect On Medieval Europe1297 Words   |  6 Pages​The Black Death had profound effects on Medieval Europe. Although most people did not realize it at the time, the Black Death had not only marked the end of one age but it also denoted the beginning of a new one, namely the Renaissance. Between 1339 and 1351, a pandemic of plague called the Black Death, traveled from China to Europe affecting the importance of cities, creating economic and demographic crises as 2/3rd of the European population was eradicated. ​ In the beginning, the ItalianRead MoreThe Key Causes Of The Black Death In Medieval Europe944 Words   |  4 PagesThe Black Death was one of the largest epidemics the world had ever seen, having wiped out mass amounts of people the plague came to completely shift European medieval society into the modern era. The black death showed no regard as to who it affected, it affected rich and poor, man, women and children all the same. The plague was so widespread among Europe that death was increasingly frequent. Such an epidemic caused people to have a completely new idea of life and death. In this essay I intendRead MoreThe Deadly Black Death Plague Of Europe1054 Words   |  5 Pages Background Information The deadly Black Death plague of Europe arrived in 1346 A.D. , during the middle ages from the Middle East as commonly thought and was also known by other names such as â€Å"the pestilence .â€Å" The infectious deadly bacteria moved rapidly within Europe accounting for approximately 50% of mortality while disseminating northward along major trade routes of ships, lasting until the early 1350’s (Ross, 2015). The plague presented before traditional existenceRead MoreEssay on The Black Death1474 Words   |  6 PagesThe Black Death was an extensive epidemic that spread across Europe from 1346 to 1353, killing over an estimated one-third of Europe’s entire population (Medieval World 56). Although historians are not entirely sure of its origin, the Black Death spread quickly across both Europe and Asia with a death toll that augmented rapidly. The plague also had unusual and deadly symptoms, causing â€Å"panic everywhere, with men and women knowing no way t o stop death except to flee from it† (Kohn 28). The chaosRead MoreEssay on Medieval Outlook on the Bubonic Plague1448 Words   |  6 PagesThe Medieval Outlook on the Bubonic Plague The Black Death was a major factor in the history of Europe as well as the history of the world. Rivaling the effects of an immense bioterrorist attack, the Black Death was responsible for the taking of over 25 million lives. Creating economic, societal, and medical changes, the Black Death forced Europe to essentially recreate its entire groundwork. At the time of the Black Death, medicine remained very archaic, and European society scrambled to findRead MoreChristians, Jews, and the Black Plague1707 Words   |  7 PagesRelations between the Christians and Jews of medieval Europe were always influenced by their unequal social and economic statuses and the religious competition that existed between them. While the Jews served a purpose in the Christian religion, this purpose meant that the more populous Christians that had come to dominate Europe only tolerated the Jews. No premise of equality existed, and the Jews came to depend on relationships with lower-level rulers to secure their relative safety. RumorsRead MoreThe Black Death and The Song Ring Around the Rosie1288 Words   |  6 Pagesis actually a grisly song about the Black Death in Europe. The Black Death was a serial outbreak of the plague during the 1300s. During the Black Death, more than 20 million Europeans died. One-third of the population of the British Isles died from the plague. Moreover, one-third of the population of France died in the first year alone, and 50% of the people in France’s major cities died. Catastrophic death rates like these were common across all of Europe. However, just like the poem â€Å"Ring AroundRead MoreA World Lit Only By Fire1083 Words   |  5 Pagesstart of the Renaissance known as the medieval period, or Middle Ages. The church had the most power in Europe and people struggled with surviving events such as epidemics. Consequently people had very short lives that may have not served them well. Every person in Europe during this time would eventually hear, â€Å"Bring out your dead!† as the gravediggers’ carts rolled down the street each night after an outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. Life during the medieval period was brutal and harsh with everythingRead MoreThe Black Death910 Words   |  4 PagesIn a time when God was everything, death came among the rich, poor, sinners, and religious people in western Europe. Could this be retributi on for the people’s sins and God has a plan, or would this be the fatal disease that would lead people to question their faith in God? Giovanni Boccaccio saw first hand what the Black Death did to his country, how disease flooded throughout and death was inevitable. Everything was changing, people were losing faith, the preservation of food, and simple customsRead MoreRemembering the Black Death1519 Words   |  6 PagesThe Black Death was a vicious disease that plagued many medieval people during the 1320s-50s. The plague killed close to 100 million people of the world’s population of 450 million. Its name comes from the blackish color the bacteria would turn various parts of its victim’s skin. During the Black Death, the superstitious cures and preventative measures taken against the plague made the plague even worse for many people. The Black Death, which originated in China, spread throughout most of

Monday, December 16, 2019

Gun Control vs. Crime Rate - 1547 Words

Jessica Vickers Dr. Jonne Akens Engl 1302 25 February 2013 Gun Control vs. Crime Rate According to the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, â€Å"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.† In this very amendment lies the main issue of gun control. â€Å"To many, the language of the amendment appears to grant to the people the absolute right to bear arms. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that the amendment merely protects the right of states to form a state militia.† (Kimberlin) Gun control, or the controlling of firearms, is any act or proposal by any local, state, or federal agency to inhibit, deter,†¦show more content†¦The gunman then ran and took his own life (Benner, 2012). The latter side of the debate shows how civilians are capable of stopping a crime before the police are able to arrive. â€Å"Some even claim that more guns will help to control the crime and prevent m ass shootings from occurring.† (Wicked) After being subjected to so much information, how is the reader to know which side is right? According to Wicked, â€Å"This can be a difficult question to answer and requires detailed analysis to come to an informed decision. Studies that have been done on the issue of gun control have found many things that gun control affects and many things that it does not affect. One key item that studies have found is that gun control laws affect the use of specific guns in violent crimes, but do not affect the rate of crime itself.† The controlling of firearms by either banning the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacture of, as well as controlling the amount of ammunition available and the storage of that ammunition, is irrelevant to the reduction of violent crime. When debating the effect that a particular law, or ban of item, has on the rate of violent crime, it is beneficial to look back at the effect that laws and bans similar to these have had on the crime rate throughout history. The 1994 Assault Weapons ban which Dianne Feinstein proposed and that of which Congress passed would be a prime example. â€Å"This ban specifically selected fire armsShow MoreRelatedGun Violence Vs. Gun Rights Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesDecember 2016 Gun Violence Vs Gun Rights The debate between gun control and gun rights is one topic that can affect all culture and lifestyle implications. It goes beyond just the notion of I like guns vs. guns are dangerous. Some of the main arguments for and against gun control and gun rights are that Gun are dangerous to those who have some sort of mental disorder vs gun are to protect and service this nation. Which will of course bring up arguments for more restrictive gun laws. As societyRead MoreGun Rights And Gun Control994 Words   |  4 PagesIn recent times, gun control is becoming a social issue in the US after the many incidents or accident happened related to the gun owner’s kill’s people at the social places. Gun rights means the every person have right to take or carry guns for their self protection is created controversial issue related to criminal justice that needed the requirement for the gun control to stop people from killing each other. Moreover, on 2 Dec, 2015, two suspects those opened fire in a California social serviceRead MoreGun Control Regulations Do Not Deter Violence And Crime1356 Words   |  6 Pageskilled by gun violence in 2013 alone.† After the Sandy Hook shooting, in Newtown, Connecticut with a death toll of 26, Congress has still failed to pass these regulations which 90% of Americans wish to have. While tightening the gun control may not guarantee the complete absence of mass shootings or gun violence and crime, it has definately been shown to significantly reduce these rates. America is in need of tighter gun control laws because current regulations do not deter violence and crime, and theRead MoreThe Shootings : The Deadliest Mass Murder Ever Committed On An American High School Campus1644 Words   |  7 Pagesautomatic guns, killed 13 innocent people and injured 24, all due to the unrestrictive gun laws in the US (â€Å"Where’d They Get Their Guns?†). The Columbine massacre is just one example of the many horrors that guns inflict upon U.S. society. Currently, over 31,000 US citizens die each year due to gun-inflicted wounds (Welcome to WISQARS). Many receive no media attention, but in those that do, the guns are usually obtained by unlawful means. More laws regulating the purchase and sale of guns should beRead MoreGun Control Of The United States1698 Words   |  7 Pagesnew laws on how people purchase weapons should require background checks. Gun Control in the United States of America is a topic that has had lots of criticism and support by many citizens. The critical people of this topic believe that the guns do not kill people, it is the people that kill people. The supporters of this topic believe that guns lead to violence and a feeling of power over others. They also believe that if guns were eliminated from the public, then violence and death would decreaseRead MoreThe Effects Of Gun Violence On People Of Lowers Classes920 Words   |  4 Pagessubject of gun violence. The study being propo sed is to determine the effect gun violence has related to different areas and that of lower class areas. This proposed study will utilize the statics and the scenario’s in which the officers I am interviewing have been in and have a large relation with. This study was proving the study, which I am writing about, in the fact that gun violence has a large impact on people of lowers classes even including the children. The children in homes with guns are moreRead MoreGun Control Of The United States1704 Words   |  7 Pagescountry do to keep further shootings from happening. Numerous individuals trust that forcing new laws on how people buy weapons should require background verifications. Gun Control in the United States of America is a topic that has had lots of criticism and support by numerous citizens. The critical people of this topic trust that the guns don t murder people, is that people kill people. The supporters of this topic trust that weapons lead to violence and a feeling of power over others. They additionallyRead More Gun Control in America Essay1426 Words   |  6 PagesGun Control in America The American Constitution and the Bill of Rights are amazing documents in their wording. Its writers showed astonishing foresight in some ways, and understanding that they could not accurately predict the future in others. These documents grant specific and vague powers to different departments of the Federal Government. The wording allows for changes to be made in its content and interpretation. One example of all these qualities, is the Second Amendment, and its interpretationRead MoreGun Control Thesis Statement Essay781 Words   |  4 PagesStatement: Gun control decreases crime. If gun control is regulated, then we will have less crime. Access to firearms makes killing easy, efficient, and impersonal, which increases the lethality of crime. Josh Sugarmann, the Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center has once said, We recoil in horror and search for explanations, but we never face up to the obvious preventive measure: a ban on the handy killing machines that make crimes so easy.†Allowing untrained people to carry guns puts othersRead MoreArgument Against Gun Control1340 Words   |  6 PagesAgainst Gun Control The argument on firearm regulation has been a heated discussion for many years. On one side of the debate, we have people in favor placing restrictions on guns, while, on the opposite end of the spectrum, we have people fighting the regulation of guns. People in favor gun restrictions believe gun control can reduce crime ,while, the people against gun control believe having the right to bear arms is an effective crime deterrent

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Detailed Analysis of Financial Performance of BHP Billion and CBA

Question: Analyse the companies 2012 and 2013 financial performance using appropriate financial measures. Investigate whether the two chosen companies link their SPMS measures (or targets) with executive rewards or compensation plans. Your analysis and discussion should explain how the companies have either succeeded or failed to strengthen their competitive advantage over the 2-year period you have examined. This is part 2 of an assignment. Attached All files necessary. Answer: Introduction Businesses aim at achieving competitive advantage in respect to their operations so that they can easily sustain high performance and easily outperform their competitors. They strive to achieve higher performance levels with a view to achieve growth and success. However, an important factor that must be considered in achieving highly efficient performance conditions is mainly the strategic measurement of their performance. This report is aimed at analysing two companies such as BHP Billiton and Common Wealth Bank of Australia (CBA) with a view to assess their financial performance over two years period from 2012 to 2013. Apart from this, the analysis also focuses towards the linkage as established by these two companies with respect to their strategic performance measurement system and their executive rewards or compensation plan. Analysis of Financial Performance of these Companies This section is aimed at analysing the financial performance of BHP Billiton and CBA through the application of ratio analytical tool. The important ratios as calculated are including in the appendix section and their interpretation indicates that the major ratios as considered are profitability ratios for both these companies for the two years period such as 2012 and 2013. The analysis of these ratios indicate that gross profit margin have showed a declining performance in respect to BHP Billiton in 2013 as compared to previous year, as it declined from 34.5% to 30.4%. However, in respect to CBA, it showed an improving performance, as it increased from 34.29% in 2012 to 40.11% in 2013. Similar is the situation being noted with respect to net profitability performance, as it declined in case of BHP Billiton in 2013 as compared to previous year, whereas in respect to CBA, it showed an improving trend. In order to evaluate the return as achieved by the companies in their performance, the calculation of return on assets has also been performed and on the basis of performance of analysis, it is assessed that management at CBA has been highly effective from the point of view of utilising its assets in generating positive returns. This is mainly because there has been a rise in the return on total assets percentage from .98% in 2012 to 1.02% in 2013 in respect to CBA, but with respect to BHP Billiton, it declined from 12.01% in 2012 to 8.01% in 2013. This shows that the overall profitability performance of CBA has been effective as compared to that of BHP Billitons performance over the two years period. Analysis of Linkage of SPMS Measures by the Two Companies with Rewards or Compensation Plans This section of analysis is now focused towards assessing the existence of linkages between SPMS measures of the two companies with that of its rewards or compensations plans. In achieving better level of performance, it is essential that there should be the establishment of linkage of strategic performance with that of the rewards and compensation strategies. An analysis of CBA indicates that there has been higher level of emphasis being placed with respect to aligning the strategic performance measures with that of the rewards and compensations plan of the company. As for instance, there has been specific remuneration policy that has been pursued by CBA which is aimed at aligning the rewards with that of the business strategy of the organisation. There has been clear establishment of linkage between the individual performance and group performance, and individual reward. The superior performance is being rewarded with a view to accomplish the organisational goals in a positive man ner. This specific existence of rewards management policy that is closely aligned with the strategic goals of the company has been a source of competitive advantage to the firm. This is mainly because the linkage of reward with individual and groups goal within organisation provides an efficient measure in achieving improved overall organisational performance. Apart from the case of CBA, an analysis of BHP Billiton also indicates that the company the strategic performance measurement system for the purpose of enhancing the performance of all the employees within organisation. An analysis indicates that there are a range of performance measures that are utilised by BHP Billiton in aligning and monitoring the performance of its employees such as health, safety, environment and community measures, capital spend and schedule, financial outcomes and also the measures in terms of rewards and compensation strategy designed specifically to monitor individual and group performance. There are specific performance measures in relation to financial and non financial performance related areas. The strategic goals are aligned with that of the rewards and compensation strategy and this allows for positive overall encouragement and contribution on the part of each and every employee of the organisation towards accomplishing organisational goals. The need and importance of linking the performance measures with that of the compensation strategy is clear to the management at BHP and this particular factor is the major driving factor behind the consideration of a performance linked pay. This has therefore been a major contributing factor towards accomplishing the attainment of competitive advantage by the company. Conclusion A critical assessment has been carried out in respect to the financial performance of BHP Billiton and CBA and the performance of analysis indicated that the performance of CBA has been highly effective in terms of its profitability. The analysis also indicated that there have been direct overall linkages being noted with respect to the strategic performance management systems and the rewards and compensation strategy in both these organisations. This is evident from the fact that they have specific compensation strategy that is closely linked to their strategic goals. As a result, the efforts of individual and groups are directed towards accomplishing the organisational goals in a positive way. References BHP Billiton Annual Report, (2013) [Online]. Available at: file:///C:/Users/shankey/Downloads/205166_755194131_BHPBillitonAnnualReport2013.pdf [Accessed: 09 January 2015].CBA Annual Report, (2013) [Online]. Available at: file:///C:/Users/shankey/Downloads/205170_873985727_2013CBAAnnualReport19August201.pdf [Accessed: 09 January 2015].Chandra, P. and Prasanna, (2011), Financial Management, 8th ed., Tata McGraw-Hill Education.Droms, W.G. and Wright, J.O. (2010), Finance and Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers: All the Basics You Need to Know, 6th ed., Basic Books.Gomez, (2009), Financial Markets Institutions and Financial Services, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.Graham, J.R. and Smart, S.B. (2011), Introduction to Corporate Finance: What Companies Do, Abridged Edition, 3rd ed., Cengage Learning.Khan, M.Y. (2004), Financial Management: Text, Problems And Cases, 2nd ed., Tata McGraw-Hill Education. Appendix

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Literary Heroes Beowulf And Odysseus Essays - Beowulf, Geats

Literary Heroes: Beowulf And Odysseus Literary Heroes: Beowulf and Odysseus Reading through Beowulf I began to compare it to the last great epic I read, Homer's The Odyssey. While The Odyssey and Beowulf are each examples of both historic and modern ideas of heroism, the acts of Beowulf's hero seem to fit better within its context. Beowulf exhibits many obvious heroic qualities, such as his strength and confidence in battle. These along with more subtle diplomatic actions serve to define him as both a great warrior and leader. Beowulf shows both wit and patience in his swift retort after Unferth challenges his skill. Later, after proving himself by dismembering Grendel, he accepts Unferth's sword to face Grendel's mother. This offering can be seen as an act of apology or forfeit on Unferth's part and reveals another side of the hero: forgiveness. Beowulf did not deny Unferth his repentance, nor did he ridicule him upon his conceit. In contrast with Beowulf's concrete depictions of good versus evil, The Odyssey focuses more on the gray areas of punishment and revenge. A main theme throughout the poem is vengeance, either by the gods or by man, and the unforgiving world of The Odyssey reflects in its hero's actions. Indeed upon Odysseus' return to Ithaca he is almost bloodthirsty, choosing not to reveal himself as king to drive away the suitors, but instead to bide time in the guise of a beggar until he can slaughter all who've wronged him. Beowulf's wrath is swift and justified. He plays no games with his opponents. Beowulf even shows respect to his foe and honorably faces them with no undue advantage. A classic example of the honor usually associated with heroes lies in Beowulf's decision to use neither sword nor armor when facing the monster Grendel in Heorot. Beowulf instead opted, in the name of fair play, to fight the monster on it's own terms. Unsurprisingly Beowulf conquered his foe in true idolic form, tearing Grendel's arm from his torso with only the strength of his grip and the power of his arms. This is what we cheer for in such stories, this is the satisfying victory over evil by the true embodiment of good: the hero. Odysseus' confrontation with the great Cyclops, Polyphemus, looks cowardly and dishonorable by comparison. Where Beowulf bravely stood and fought Grendel with only his bare hands, Odysseus waits for Polyphemus to slip into an alcoholic coma before blinding him. Later he uses this handicap to escape. In contrast to the nobility of Beowulf in the battle with Grendel, Odysseus' dealings with Polyphemus seem almost petty. Odysseus chooses to check his honor at the door in favor of trickery and deceit. Beowulf embodies all the things we usually associate with heroism: diplomacy, confidence, strength, intelligence and more. His nobility and benevolence is displayed aptly in his dealings with Unferth, in his road to the Geatish throne, and his actions upon obtaining it. Beowulf's epic battles, and even his dramatic death at the hands of the great dragon, serve to paint a portrait depicting the true literary hero. This unbridled heroism does carry with it a few negative connotations, however. For example, it is ironic that while we only follow Odysseus through a fraction of his life in comparison with Beowulf's, the development and evolution of his character is far more evident. It is clear that Odysseus learns from his mistakes and grows as a person through his adventures, while Beowulf undergoes only superficial evolution, growing from boy to man. In the end, our society's schema of heroes are aptly fulfilled to a certain extent in both poems; but while The Odyssey tries more to humanize the hero, Beowulf firmly solidifies its hero's super-human niche in the annals of history. Book Reports