Critical Essay - essays

Critical Essay - essays The novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is one which deals with important human issues. It is about the demise of a white lawyer's defence of a black man in a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy, which resulted in the black man's struggle for justice. This essay will examine the different ways in which the theme of prejudice is shown and how the writer explores its significance. In the mid-1800s, when slavery of the blacks was abolished after the American Civil War, the blacks were seen as inferior to the whites in the South of the United States of America. in the early 1900s, when this novel was set in, the South still clung on to their old values and traditions. One way in which the theme of prejudice is shown is through racial prejudice. In the town of Maycomb, there is a clear detachment of the black and white community. The white children, Scout and Jem Finch and black caretaker Calpurnia visited together a black church but were rudely greeted, "I wants to know why you bringin' white children to nigger church." This vague greeting could have shown that the people of both races wanted to become detached, not just the whites. Another way in which prejudice is shown is through family groups and class division. Aunt Alexandra is aware of maintaining the name of the Finch family and therefore does not want Calpurnia to raise the children. She attempted to convince Atticus, "you have a daughter who's growing up to think of" but Atticus retaliated. She clearly is discomforted by the upbringing of the white children through a black woman. Finally, another way in which prejudice is shown is through certain individuals. Boo Radley, who was locked in his house for many years, is virtually unknown to the public. Therefore rumours are spread that he is psychopathic. Calpurnia explained to the children, "There goes the meanest man ever God blew breath into." Though there was no evidence to prove that he was, thi ...

Converting Text to Numbers Using VBA in Excel

Converting Text to Numbers Using VBA in Excel Question: How do I convert cells filled with character numbers to numeric values so I can use the values in Excel math formulas. I recently had to add a column of numbers in Excel that were copied and pasted from a table in a web page. Because the numbers are represented by text in the web page (that is, the number 10 is actually Hex 3130), a Sum function for the column simply results in a zero value. You can find a lot of web pages (including Microsoft pages) that simply give you advice that doesnt work. For example, this page ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291047 ... gives you seven methods. The only one that actually works is to retype the value manually. (Gee, thanks, Microsoft. I never would have thought of that.) The most common solution I found on other pages is to Copy the cells and then use Paste Special to paste the Value. That doesnt work either. (Tested on Excel 2003 and Excel 2007.) The Microsoft page provides a VBA Macro to do the job (Method 6): Sub Enter_Values()   Ã‚  Ã‚  For Each xCell In Selection   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  xCell.Value xCell.Value   Ã‚  Ã‚  Next xCell End Sub It doesnt work either, but all you have to do is make one change and it does work: For Each xCell In Selection   Ã‚  Ã‚  xCell.Value CDec(xCell.Value) Next xCell Its not rocket science. I cant understand why so many pages have it wrong.

Analyse a case-study of community radio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Analyse a case-study of community radio - Essay Example ed definition as embodied in its draft Community Radio Order (Ofcom, 2004), community radio is defined by the core elements that comprise it, as its actual definition differs from place to place. Based on its key elements, community radio: â€Å"is intended primarily to serve a particular community (either people who live or work or undergo education or training in a particular area or locality†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢neighborhood’, or people who have one or more interests or characteristics in common†¦ ‘community of interest’) â€Å"is not provided in order to make a financial profit, and uses any profit produced to secure or improve the service or for the delivery of social gain to members of the public or the target community; and These elements that comprise community radio render this service especially positioned to create unique benefits to the community, which have been recognized in Parliament during deliberations on the Communications Bill (Ofcom, 2004). These benefits include: training and work opportunities for the locality, contribution to local education, advancement of social cohesion, service to neighbourhood or interest groups, dissemination of knowledge about local authority and other services, establishment of access of local people to the project. These, in turn, foster a sense of truly belonging to a tangible community, imbibing residents in the locality with a sense of self-esteem, confidence and community pride. Invaluable is the exchange of ideas and the creation of a venue for voices to be heard, particularly those belonging to minority groups, who would usually have limited or no access at all to media (Gà ¼nnel, 2008, p. 87). While seen as competitors of each other because of overlapping citizenship, commercial radio differs essentially from community radio in many ways. Commercial radio is challenged by the need to maintain audience share vis-à  -vis other media, meet demands for targeted audiences, and simultaneously provide sufficiently mainstream

Classroom Instructional Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Classroom Instructional Strategy - Essay Example Student uses his thinking, learning, and practical skills to follow a course of study or a lesson plan that is being implemented by the teacher. The term teacher's pedagogy is used to refer to the different teaching methods that a teacher will use. When a teacher determines the method of instructions there are a number of factors he or she has to consider these are: Another important aspect is the teacher's ability to deal with the different abilities of the students and the disabilities of the students. Sometimes the teacher has to do more than just teaching in the classroom that is going with students to field trips, supervise study halls, help in organizing school functions, and act as a supervisor in extra curricular activities. There is a possibility that a teacher while teaching might use a combination of some of these 13 ways. Though a combination might not necessary be more effective but in most of the cases it is. Another way a teacher can teach is by implementing every method not in the same class but in different sessions, meaning that in one session the teacher uses Lecture accompanied by a discussion and in his next session in the same class he can use Case Studies. As said before a combination would be more effective I will use a combination of method 2, 8 and 13. ... Another way a teacher can teach is by implementing every method not in the same class but in different sessions, meaning that in one session the teacher uses Lecture accompanied by a discussion and in his next session in the same class he can use Case Studies. As said before a combination would be more effective I will use a combination of method 2, 8 and 13. That is using Lectures accompanied by a discussion including feed back sessions and Presentation to explain things in a much a better way. Selected Teaching Method I choose these three methods due to a couple of reason. The first being that a lecture might be boring but in fact an effective listener can understand a concept much better when things are explained to him with examples during a lecture. Apart from this he can make notes while a lecture is being delivered, this helps a student in revising the matter he studied in the classroom. A discussion after the lecture makes sure in telling the teacher that how much the students learnt and what part was difficult for them. Feed back sessions not only tell the teacher how much the student has learnt but also help a student in realizing how well he or she is doing in a subject and what amount of effort he needs to put in the future. Presentations help a student in noting down important concepts of the course. Apart from this presentations help in teaching as it is said computer aided teaching has always been handy for a teacher as well as the student. Now I will discuss the advantages of these teaching methods and how must a teacher prepare for these methods. Lecture with Discussion This method makes sure that the students are involved in what is going on in the class, students can also raise questions and queries on things that they don't

The main problem of the study Essay Example for Free

The main problem of the study Essay This chapter presents the main problem of the study and some information surrounding the problem. It also includes the significance and scope and limitation of the study. Background of the Study Tobacco is one of the boosting industries in the world because of smokers. In the Philippines, cigarette is a major product which contributes much for the country’s economy. Smoker population worldwide has already reached 1.1 billion. Today, smokers are not just those who are aged 18 and above but also the high school students who start smoking at age 12. Almost all new smokers are children −3,000 teenagers start smoking every day. More than three million children under age 18 use tobacco products. Peer pressure, satisfaction, and curiosity are some factors that encourage a child to try smoking. It is hard to eliminate the use of cigarette in the world. Tobacco cigarette is being used since 1600s by Europeans. Read more:  Scope and Limitation Examples A cigarette is a small cylinder of finely cut tobacco leaves rolled in thin paper for smoking. It produces smoke that causes irritation to the nose of secondhand smokers. Nowadays, a new technology called Electric Cigarette also known as E-cigarette has been developed. It is an inhaler that vaporizes a liquid solution. It can be a replacement for tobacco cigarette for prevention of sickness. E-cigarette is also preferred by some teenagers because of its smell and different flavors. Most users of E-cigarette are those who have enough money because it is too expensive than the tobacco cigarette. However, long-time smokers still prefer the original tobacco cigarette. Even though cigarette is not highly recommended, it is still the number one drug in the Philippines. Statement of the Problem This research study will determine the facts about smoking focusing on the differences of tobacco cigarette to electric cigarette and its effects to  one’s body. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions: 1. What is tobacco cigarette? electric cigarette? 2. What are the differences between the two in terms of: a. chemical contents b. effects to the body c. effects to secondhand smokers? d. effects to the environment? 3. How can the users or non users avoid smoking? 4. What are the possibilities that e-cigarette will be a total replacement for tobacco cigarette? Significance of the Study There has been a growing population of smokers from time to time. This study was created with the main objective of giving the researchers the difference between electric cigarette and tobacco cigarette. The results of the study would be a great help to smokers by having enough information on possible results of too much exposure to smoke and its effects to non-smokers.  For public health workers, result of the study would be useful because they can be a mode of disseminating pieces of information about smoking. In overall prospective, this study will contribute a greater understanding in relation to smoking. Scope and Delimitations This study is focused on determining the facts about smoking: e-cigarette and tobacco cigarette and its effect to one’s body. It is about the differences and some specific disadvantages. The researchers do not want to encourage nor to discourage the use of both products but would simply try to state the facts and let the readers decide for themselves.

What Should And Shouldnt Computer Be Allowed To Run :: essays research papers

What Should and Shouldn't Computer Be Allowed To Run Computers have always scared people. Not just because they can be confusing and hard to operate, but also because how they affect peoples everyday lives. What jobs should highly advanced computers be able to run? This question can involve ethics, privacy, security, and many other topics. What jobs can and can't we leave to the computer? As computers grow more and more advanced, not to mention complicated, so grows the number of job applications that can be filled by computers. But can we leave a job such as doctor to a highly advanced computer system? There are a great deal of moral issues involving that. What would happen if the doctor made a mistake? Could you sue the computer? What about the computer programmer? One error in the program could mean death for a patient. One job that I'm sure many people would give to a computer if they had the chance would be a lawyer. This eliminates the problem that occurs when someone with money is in trouble. They buy the best lawyer money can buy, but the person without any money cannot afford the great lawyers the other guy has. With this system, one single lawyer program could be provided to everyone so that the process of dispensing justice is much more fair. What about a judge and jury? Could a computer replace them? Is it right for a computer to pronounce sentence on an individual? Because computers don't have any kind of actual thought or will, some jobs would be perfect for computers. Security would be a good job for a computer to handle. People like their privacy and don't want to be watched over by someone all the time. If computers could tell if a crime is happening without a human to point it out, it might be alright to install these systems everywhere to detect crimes taking place without interfering with someone's privacy. I'm not talking about "Big Brother" from 1984, but something that would be fair to everyone. There is also the problem of changing jobs due to advancements in computer technology. There will be the same number of jobs available, but not at the same levels. More education will be needed for these new jobs. Computers might take away quite a few jobs from people doing manual labor on an assembly line, but at the same time, if something breaks down, there will have to be someone to come in and fix it.

Leadership Learning Journal Essay

As I reflect upon the readings of our text book and the leadership self-assessments I have learned a great deal about myself in regards to leadership. I have a lot of leadership experience but there are some areas I need to work on and improve. I’m not as resilient as I thought I was because one of the outcomes of the tests was that like most people I cope well with some type of adversity, but not others. Naturally I don’t agree with that outcome because I feel I handle almost everything but as I dig deeper into it and keep an open mind I can kind of see that. According to DuBrin (2010) most of my leaders have been transformational leaders based on the definition and the self-assessment results (p. 77). I’m a participative leader, with average situational perspective, have a high quality leader-member exchange, and works well by myself but also works well with others. Another trait that I learned I need to work on is I’m only average when it comes to the knowledge and skill to motivate others whereas I thought I excelled and continually motivated others. While reading the chapters we have so far and the various discussion boards I have learned that there are many ways to be an outstanding leader and that there isn’t really one style that works for everyone and all of the time. As a leader you have to consider the people your leading and what their abilities are when choosing the best style because a style that might have worked at your last company might not work at your next one. One of the biggest eye openers so far was when we had the discussion assignment on path-goal theory. I thought that there was no way that method would work. Boy was I dead wrong because when it was stated by Vandegrift & Matusitz (2011) that they conducted an analysis that applied the principles of path-goal theory to a renowned music recording company, Columbia Records and that this theory was used by them and was credited to their success I knew then that I had to stay open to any and all theory’s (p. 350). I don’t typically like to read other then article on sports but so far this course has been very informative and will help me in the future to hone my leadership skills.

Ethics in International Environments Essay

The different changes that are happening in the society greatly affect the norms and practices of people, especially those that are involved in the business sector. The existence of globalization has paved the way for business organization to expand their marketing operations outside their local countries and try targeting new consumers that are situated in foreign nations. However, in doing so, business organizations have to take into consideration the differences among nations, especially when it comes to values, beliefs, culture, legal system, and many others. In line with this, respecting and properly addressing the differences among countries also entails properly applying the decisions and business strategy of the company in such a way that it upholds business ethics. Business ethics refers to the applied or professional ethics that is used in order to identify the morality or rightness of a decision or action in ethical issues that arise in business organizations (Crane & Matten, 2007). In line with this, the case study of the British American Tobacco Australia (BATA) in marketing their Winfield brand in Asia should carefully consider the ethical implications of their market expansion to the welfare of the consumers in that part of the world and also the overall effects of it in the robustness of the company. Brief Summary of the Case Study The British American Tobacco Australia (BATA) is maker of Winfield, an Australian brand of cigarette. Winfield is available in countries such as: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, UK, and Europe. The main competitive advantage of Winfield as compared with other brands is the reputation that it has wherein it boost quality along with the concept of ‘more for less’, without being regarded as a ‘cheap’ brand. The brand has showed strong financial growth starting from its launch in Australia and other international market place. However, the stricter tobacco advertising restrictions has made it difficult for the organization to market and communicate to the consumers in order to sell Winfield. Due to this, the organization decided to enter the Asian market because their tobacco laws are not as strict as compared with the United States and Australia. BATA wants to maximize the potential of the Asian market before it begins banning cigarette advertising and tobacco smoking. In order to expand in the Asian market, BATA has to practice the multi-domestic marketing strategy. The multi-domestic marketing strategy entails that business organizations have to tailor made a marketing standard that adheres to the culture and personal preference of the target foreign market of the company (Kurtz, 2008). In relation to this, business organizations also have the ability to maintain the standard quality of the product by making sure that despite the differences in the marketing strategy, it still adheres to the core value and objective of the brand (Kitchen & Schultz, 2001). Ethical Issues BATA has to address different issues when it comes to entering the Asian market. First, the organization has to identify as to what degree standardize policy on cigarette advertising and promotion has to be applied across borders. Second, BATA needs to find ways in order to establish a balance between ensuring ethical marketing activities and still gaining from the freedom of communication in some international market places. BATA has to reconcile whether a global marketing strategy or multi-domestic marketing strategy is the most effective marketing model that will benefit the organization (Kurtz, 2008). The organization has to face the ethical issue that comes with marketing and selling their cigarettes in the Asian market. BATA has to deal with the ethical dilemma that marketing Winfield in Asia might place the lives of people in danger because of ill effects of tobacco smoking. In addition, the organization also has to take into consideration the exposure of the marketing of Winfield to minors. Moreover, the reputation of the company should also be given utmost consideration because their image of giving quality products with a desire to give satisfaction to customers might be threatened by a wrong marketing move. Formulation of Alternative or Possible Solution In order to properly address the ethical issues that exist and others more that might arise, BATA has to analyze their decisions and actions through the Social Contract Theory (SCT). The Social Contract Theory pertains to a wide range of theories that try to explain the idea of how people willingly give a part of their right in order to form the state with the main purpose of ensuring social order. Every individual has their own respective rights, which they freely surrender a portion of to a higher authority usually the government, in order to prevent chaos and preserve order in the society (Crane & Matten, 2007). In the context of international business ethics, the Social Contract Theory allows the establishment of a framework that will help address the ethical issues in relation with Winfield. The Social Contract Theory solves ethical issue by means of the following: (1) establish core principles that are related to the organization; (2) provides recommendations for various communities; (3) examine the appropriateness of marketing practices; (4) enables the theoretical foundation of norms and values (Crane & Matten, 2007). Based on the Social Contract Theory, the possible solution entails BATA should identify specific and effective core value system for the organization. In order to properly identify the decisions and actions that the organization recognizes as ethical or unethical an outline of the core value system of the organization is necessary. Another important step is for the organization to implement the multi-domestic marketing strategy that will give importance to the specific preferences of different foreign markets. The organization has to tailor-made their marketing strategy to the needs of respective foreign countries. The appropriateness of the marketing practices of the organization should also be assured by means of establishing a separate department in the organization that will oversee that the marketing of Winfield adheres to the culture, preferences, and law of the foreign market it is being catered. Moreover, the norms and values of the company should be uphold by means of making marketing ads and other promotional materials that targets adults rather than minors. In addition, BATA should place warnings about the ill effects of smoking to the health of people in the very packaging of Winfield and also, in their marketing campaigns even if the law of the foreign country does not require such. BATA has to protect the reputation of the organization and one effective way of doing so is by effectively practicing corporate responsibility (Blownfield & Murray, 2008). The organization has to be mindful of their duties and responsibilities to their consumers and the society as a whole. Recommendation The Utilitarian approach to ethics is a kind of normative ethics that assesses the morality or rightness of action based on its outcome. In utilitarianism, a decision or action is ethical when it yields the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people (Crane & Matten, 2007). Based on utilitarianism, BATA has to give importance to the welfare of their consumers and not only the organization’s profit in order to make their business processes ethical. By means of establishing the core value system of the organization and also by making sure that the promotion of Winfield is focus on adults together with the corresponding health warning, BATA can be able to give the greatest benefit or happiness to almost all stakeholders that are involve. The organization will gain more profit and further develop their company by means of entering the Asian market. In addition, BATA’s greater corporate responsibility will further boost the reputation of the company. In the side of the consumers, they will have more variation when it comes to cigarette choices. The consumers are also properly informed by the company of the health risks of smoking, which will give them informed-consent on deciding whether they will smoke or not. References Blowfield, M. , & Murray A. (2008). Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. Crane, A. & Matten, D. (2007). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. New York: Oxford University Press. Kitchen, P. J. , & Schultz, D. E. (2001). Raising the Corporate Umbrella: Corporate Communication in the 21st Century. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Kurtz, D. L. (2008). Contemporary Marketing. New York: Cengage Learning.

Ten Facts About the U.S. State of Oklahoma

Ten Facts About the U.S. State of Oklahoma Population: 3,751,351 (2010 estimate)Capital: Oklahoma CityBordering States: Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas and MissouriLand Area: 69,898 square miles (181,195 sq km)Highest Point: Black Mesa at 4,973 feet (1,515 m)Lowest Point: Little River at 289 feet (88 m)Oklahoma is a state located in the central southern part of the United States to the north of Texas and the south of Kansas. Its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City and it has a total population of 3,751,351 (2010 estimate). Oklahoma is known for its prairie landscape, severe weather and for its fast growing economy.The following is a list of ten geographic facts about Oklahoma: The first permanent inhabitants of Oklahoma are believed to have first settled the region between 850 and 1450 C.E. In the early to mid-1500s Spanish explorers traveled throughout the area but it was claimed by French explorers in the 1700s. French control of Oklahoma lasted until 1803 when the United States purchased all of Frances territory west of the Mississippi River with the Louisiana Purchase.Once Oklahoma was purchased by the United States, more settlers began to enter the region and during the 19th century, the Native Americans who had been living in the region were forcibly moved away from their ancestral lands in the region to the lands surrounding Oklahoma. This land became known as Indian Territory and for several decades after its creation, it was fought over by both the Native Americans who had been forced to move there and new settlers to the region.By the end of the 19th century, there were attempts to make Oklahoma Territory a state. In 1905 the Sequoyah Statehood C onvention took place to create an all Native American state. These conventions failed but they began the movement for the Oklahoma Statehood Convention which eventually led to the territory becoming the 46th state to enter the Union on November 16, 1907. After becoming a state, Oklahoma quickly began to grow as oil was discovered throughout several regions of the state. Tulsa was known as the Oil Capital of the World at this time and most of the states early economic success was based on oil but agriculture was also prevalent. In the 20th century, Oklahoma continued to grow but it also became a center of racial violence with the Tulsa Race Riot in 1921. By the 1930s Oklahomas economy began to decline and it suffered further due to the Dust Bowl.Oklahomas began to recover from the Dust Bowl by the 1950s and by the 1960s. Massive water conservation and flood control plan was put into place to prevent another such disaster. Today the state has a diversified economy that is based on aviation, energy, the manufacture of transportation equipment, food processing, electronics and telecommunications. Agriculture also still plays a role in Oklahomas economy and it is fifth in U.S. cattle and wheat production.Oklahoma is in the southern United States and with an area of 69,898 square miles (181,195 sq km) it is the 20th largest state in the country. It is near the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states and it shares borders with six different states. Oklahoma has a varied topography because it is between the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau. As such its western borders have gently sloping hills, while southeast has low wetlands. The highest point in the state, Black Mesa at 4,973 feet (1,515 m), is in its western panhandle, while the lowest point, Little River at 289 feet (88 m), is in the southeast.The state of Oklahoma has a temperate continental throughout much of its area and a humid subtropical climate in the east. In addition, the high plains of the panhandle area have a semi-arid climate. Oklahoma City has an average January low temperature of 26Ëš (-3ËšC) and an average July high temperature of 92.5Ëš (34ËšC). Oklahoma is also prone to severe weather like thunderstorms and tornadoes because it is geographically located in an area where air masses collide. Because of this, much of Oklahoma is within Tornado Alley and on average 54 tornadoes hit the state each year.Oklahoma is an ecologically diverse state as it i s home to over ten different ecological regions that range from arid grasslands to marshlands. 24% of the state is covered in forests and there is a variety of different animal species. In addition, Oklahoma is home to 50 state parks, six national parks, and two national protected forests and grasslands. Oklahoma is known for its large system of education. The state is home to several large universities which include the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma. To learn more about Oklahoma, visit the states official website.ReferencesInfoplease.com. (n.d.). Oklahoma: History, Geography, Population and State Facts- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0108260.htmlWikipedia.org. (29 May 2011). Oklahoma - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma

Battle of Verdun in World War I

Battle of Verdun in World War I The Battle of Verdun was fought during World War I (1914-1918) and lasted from February 21, 1916 until December 18, 1916. The longest and largest battle fought on the Western Front during the conflict, Verdun saw German forces attempt to gain the high ground around the city while drawing the French reserves into a battle of annihilation. Striking on February 21, the Germans made early gains until increasing French resistance and the arrival of reinforcements turned the battle into a grinding, bloody affair. Fighting continued through the summer and saw the French commence counterattacks in August. This was followed by a major counteroffensive on October which ultimately reclaimed much of the ground lost earlier in the year to the Germans. Ending in December, the Battle of Verdun soon became an iconic symbol of French resolve to defend their country. Background By 1915, the Western Front had become a stalemate as both sides engaged in trench warfare. Unable to achieve a decisive breakthrough, offensives simply resulted in heavy casualties with little gain. Seeking to shatter the Anglo-French lines, the German Chief of Staff Erich von Falkenhayn began planning a massive assault on the French city of Verdun. A fortress town on the Meuse River, Verdun protected the plains of Champagne and the approaches to Paris. Surrounded by rings of forts and batteries, Verduns defenses had been weakened in 1915, as artillery was shifted to other sections of the line (Map). Despite its reputation as a fortress, Verdun was selected as it was located in a salient in German lines and could only be supplied by a single road, the Voie Sacrà ©e, from a railhead located at Bar-le-Duc. Conversely, the Germans would be able to attack the city from three sides while enjoying a much stronger logistical network. With these advantages in hand, von Falkenhayn believed that Verdun would only be able to hold out for a few weeks. Shifting forces to the Verdun area, the Germans planned to launch the offensive on February 12, 1916 (Map). The Late Offensive Due to poor weather, the attack was postponed until February 21. This delay, coupled with accurate intelligence reports, allowed the French to shift two divisions of the XXXth Corps to the Verdun area prior to the German assault. At 7:15 AM on February 21, the Germans commenced a ten-hour bombardment of the French lines around the city. Attacking with three army corps, the Germans moved forward utilizing storm troopers and flamethrowers. Staggered by the weight of the German attack, the French were forced to fall back three miles on the first day of fighting. On the 24th, troops of XXX Corps were compelled to abandon their second line of defense but were buoyed by the arrival of the French XX Corps. That night the decision was made to shift General Philippe Petains Second Army to the Verdun sector. Bad news for the French continued the next day as Fort Douaumont, northeast of the city, was lost to German troops. Taking command at Verdun, Petain reinforced the citys fortifications and laid out new defensive lines. On the final day of the month, French resistance near the village of Douaumont slowed the enemy advance, allowing the citys garrison to be reinforced. Changing Strategies Pushing forward, the Germans began to lose the protection of their own artillery, while coming under fire from French guns on the west bank of the Meuse. Pounding German columns, French artillery badly bled the Germans at Douaumont and ultimately forced them to abandon the frontal assault on Verdun. Changing strategies, the Germans began assaults on the flanks of the city in March. On the west bank of the Meuse, their advance focused on the hills of Le Mort Homme and Cote (Hill) 304. In a series of brutal battles, they succeeded in capturing both. This accomplished, they began assaults east of the city. Focusing their attention on Fort Vaux, the Germans shelled the French fortification around the clock. Storming forward, German troops captured the forts superstructure, but a savage battle continued in its underground tunnels until early June. As the fighting raged, Petain was promoted to lead the Centre Army Group on May 1, while General Robert Nivelle was given command of the front at Verdun. Having secured Fort Vaux, the Germans pushed southwest against Fort Souville. On June 22, they shelled the area with poison diphosgene gas shells before launching a massive assault the next day. French General Philippe PetainGeneral Robert Nivelle30,000 men (Feb. 21, 1916) Germans Erich von FalkenhaynCrown Prince Wilhelm150,000 men (Feb. 21, 1916) Casualties Germany - 336,000-434,000France - 377,000 (161,000 killed, 216,000 wounded) French Moving Ahead Over several days of fighting, the Germans initially had success but met increasing French resistance. While some German troops reached the top of Fort Souville on July 12, they were forced to withdraw by French artillery. The battles around Souville marked farthest German advance during the campaign. With the opening of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, some German troops were withdrawn from Verdun to meet the new threat. With the tide stemmed, Nivelle began planning a counter-offensive for the sector. For his failure, von Falkenhayn was replaced by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in August. On October 24, Nivelle began attacking the German lines around the city. Making heavy use of artillery, his infantry was able to push the Germans back on the east bank of the river. Forts Douaumont and Vaux were recaptured on October 24 and November 2, respectively, and by December, the Germans had been nearly forced back to their original lines. The hills on the west bank of the Meuse were retaken in a localized offensive in August 1917. Aftermath The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War I. A brutal battle of attrition, Verdun cost the French an estimated 161,000 dead, 101,000 missing, and 216,000 wounded. German losses were approximately 142,000 killed and 187,000 wounded. After the war, von Falkenhayn claimed that his intention at Verdun was not to win a decisive battle  but rather to bleed the French white by forcing them to make a stand at a place from which they could not retreat. Recent scholarship has discredited these statements as von Falkenhayn attempting to justify the campaigns failure. The Battle of Verdun has assumed an iconic place in French military history as a symbol of the nations determination to defend its soil at all costs.

AW3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

AW3 - Essay Example Additionally, the basic intention of this research is to offer a comprehensive overview of the key qualities and indicators of successful global IS, and an explanation of considerations that must be addressed when taking an information system to the global level. Global information systems could be described as information systems intended to gather, process, incorporate, communicate and evaluate the whole â€Å"body of knowledge† concerning to a specific field. Since, this type of information systems is used to support some application necessitating this knowledge in an â€Å"on-demand† mode through ultimate information quality evaluations (Rolland & Monteiro, 2002). According to Ouksel & Sheth (1999), the paradigm of global information system has the similar intentions and operational structure but having a completely different tasks as compared to geographic information systems. In addition, this type of information systems offers the context of worldwide setting, either for its development or utilization procedures. Additionally, these information systems are extremely concerned with distributed computing and distributed systems that can be located at global level. Since, through the current progresses in computer software and hardware technology, it is probable to develop the relational data management systems those can consistently uphold storage of huge amounts of information concerning to a specific field of science. Biehl (2007) stated that the novel interoperable is offering the ways of standardizing data communications that are based on the XML (i.e.: extensible markup language) technologies, advanced production software like that expe rt systems, as well as safe web based networks have produced extraordinary prospects intended for defining and establishing a new model of huge global information systems in science. Thus, the development of the global information systems has improved the scientific discovery procedures, knowledge communication and