Civil Disobedience Definition

The extremely simplified definition of civil disobedience given by Webster†s Dictionary is â€Å"nonviolent opposition to a law through refusal to comply with it, on grounds of conscience. † Thoreau in â€Å"Civil Disobedience† and Martin Luther King in â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† both argue that laws thought of as unjust in one†s mind should not be adhered to. In Herman Melville†s â€Å"Bartleby,† a man named Bartleby is thought of by many to be practicing civil disobedience. His actions are nonviolent, and he refuses to comply with anything his boss says. But his behavior has nothing to do with morals. Bartleby is merely a lonely guy who does not wish to work and has nothing to do with civil disobedience. Thoreau says that if injustice â€Å"is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then I say break the law† (Jacobus 134). He is personally giving permission for an individual to ignore anything he or she finds morally unacceptable. However, in â€Å"Bartleby,† Bartleby†s boss places no unjust laws and assigns no unjust work. He simply asks Bartleby to do easy tasks such as, â€Å"when those papers are all copied, I will compare them with you†, or, â€Å"just step around the Post Office, won†t you? And see if there is anything for me† (Melville 116). The boss, who is also the narrator, never requests Bartleby to perform any difficult chores. Martin Luther King, Jr. â€Å"s interpretation of an unjust law is, â€Å"a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself† (Jacobus 159). The injustice described here by King also does not match the characterization of Bartleby†s boss. Bartleby needs no civil disobedience since nothing could be considered unjust in the boss†s management. Even if an unjust act were placed against Bartleby, he would not have had any cares about the injustice. He was a man who needed a place to live and chose to be a law-copyist. He has no desire to do any work and no desire to interact with other humans. Anytime an order was given, the same response would reply from Bartleby†s mouth: â€Å"I would prefer not to† (Melville). Bartleby did not weigh the issues of morality and immorality in his assignments. He just does not want to deal with others. When asked to look over some work with Turkey and Nipping, he refuses. His boss offers him a home, and he refuses this as well. The ending footnote to â€Å"Bartleby† states that Bartleby†s previous profession was a subordinate clerk in the Dead Letters Office in Washington. The dead letters he handled had no association to any living person. Bartleby was accustomed to working at a place where dealing with man is unnecessary. As Thoreau says, â€Å"Dead letters! Does it not sound like dead men? † (Melville 140). Bartleby has no connection with civil disobedience. King and Thoreau†s ideas of what civil disobedience is do not match up with the actions of Bartleby. Bartleby was not trying to make a statement against unjust laws by not abiding by them. He was just a loner. All his refusals to do what was ordered stemmed from his need to be separated from humanity. Bartleby only wanted to live by himself with nothing but his own thoughts to deal with.

American Beauty †Analysis Essay

I had seen the movie American Beauty when it was first released, however it was a different experience for me this time. I was closely examining the interpersonal conflict in the movie. The movie is based around the Burnham family. Lester and Carolyn are husband and wife, and they have a teenage daugther, Janie. On the outside they appear to be a normal family. As the movie plays, it is obvious the characters are all a negative result of interpersonal conflict. â€Å"Conflict is a critical event in the course of a relationship. Conflict can cause resentment, hostility and perhaps the ending of the relatonship†(DonnaBellafiore). Carolyn is extremely self-centered and demanding. She controls the family with her underlying anger. Lester is a shell of a man. His self-concept is very low and he is depressed. This undoubtedly due to his lack of communication with his wife. â€Å"Self-concept is the idea you have of who you are and what makes you different from everyone else†( Sole,K). In part of the movie he realizes he has lost something, but he doesn’t know what. He has lost his self-esteem due his interpersonal conflict with his wife and daughter. In one scene Carolyn and Lester have arrived at a party Lester doesn’t want to attend. Carolyn tells him to act happy, but sadly she never wonders why he is not happy. In another scene the family is at the dinner table. Carolyn is talking about her day and Lester informs her that he has quit his job. She mocks him for doing so and tries to get Janie into the conversation. Lester becomes extremely angry, and they begin to blame each other for their lack of communication. Their behaviors not only affect their relationship negatively, but has weakened the relationship they have with Janie. Carolyn handles her conflict by having an affair rather than communicating her frustrations with her husband, Lester. Lester black-mails his boss, quits his job and demands a years pay and benefits. This is one way that Lester handles his anger. Janie and her relationship with her parents, especially her father, continues to deteriorate. Janie becomes emotionaly involved with the new neighbor a nd school-mate Ricky. When Janie’s friend Angela, comes over to visit, her father always gets excited and flirts with her. This upsets Janie, but Angela likes it. Angela tells Janie Lesters attraction to her makes her realize she has potential to be a model. Angela shows no empathy for Janie’s feelings of negativity towards her father. â€Å"Empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts and experience of another†(merrriam-websterdictionary). As a result of his attraction to Angela, Lester begins working out. He begins to feel better about himself as a result of getting in shape. There is a scene in the movie where Lester sits on the sofa next to his wife, Carolyn. He begins softly speaking to her and useing non-verbal cues reminding her of how much fun she was when they were younger. She begins to smile, and for a moment you believe they are going to be kind to each other. instead, Carolyn jumps up and freaks out because Lester almost spilled his beer on the sofa. Lester becomes angry as he tries to explain to her that her material things mean more to her than living. The moment of kindness between them is over-destroyed by Carolyns confusion with her priorities and her need to be in control. It is always about her. As Janie becomes more angry with her father, she befriends her neighbor, Ricky Fitz. Ricky is forth-coming and confident. However, he has been physicaly and verbaly abused by his father. Mr. Fitz is an ex-marine. When he introduces himself to people he always says â€Å"Frank Fitz Cornel in the Marine Corps†(SamMendes, producer,1999,AmericanBeauty). He has a need for people to see him as a strong man, having been a Marine. This is his great accomplishment in life. he has beaten Ricky and verbaly abused him, and sent him away for 2 years as a result of Ricky severely beating a boy, most likely a reaction to his anger towards his father. Franks wife, Ricky’s Mom, is emotionless. She has no self-concept due to Franks personality, anger and overpowerment. Their house is a cold environment. There is no normal communication between the three of them. There is a scene where Frank and Ricky meet the neighbors-JIm and JIm. They are a gay couple who have just moved into the neighborhood . Frank freaks out about the couple. His reaction shows that he is homophobic by his negative comments. Ricky agrees with his father in an effort to keep the situaton stable. Ricky is trying to avoid a beating. Ricky and Janie are building a relationship and becoming close. Ricky has also built a relationshio with Lester. He sells Lester Marijuana . Ricky goes to Lester’s house to sell him marijuana one particular night. Frank can see Ricky and lester through the window. Frank thinks what he is seeing is Ricky having oral sex with Lester. He beats Ricky when he comes home. Ricky runs to Janie and asks her to run away with him, s he agrees. At the end of the movie, Lester is in the garage. Frank approaches him, as he walks through the pouring rain. He has an expression of pain and fear on his face. Lester approaches Lester (thinking lester is gay) and wraps his arms around him in a hug. Lester tries to be comforting, but then Lester tries to kiss him. Lester pulls back expressing to Frank that there must be some kind of understanding. Lester is not a gay man. Frank walks away with tears in his eyes. Ricky and Janie are up in her room planning their departure, and Carolyn is on her way home. She has been taking shooting lessons and carrys a gun in her glove compartment. Suddenly a gun shot is heard. Carolyn has justed pulled into the driveway, we wonder was it her who killed Lester? Jamie and Ricky find Lester shot in the head. Frank Fitz has shot Lester. He would rather have him dead than risk sharing Franks secret with anyone. Frank was a gay man. He spent his entire life covering up this reality, and in the process destroyed his wife and abused his child. After shooting Lester, Frank goes home to his room filled with guns and military memorabilia, and shoots himself. The families in this movie had such poor interpersonal communication that they destroyed each other. It was a schock for me to see such a lack of communication cause such destruction.

A Brief Comparison of Psychoanalytic and Person-Centered Therapy

Within the field of counseling and therapy there are endless theoretical stances, each of which develop different perspectives on humanity and establish varying counselor roles. Consideration of the implications of these various orientations is essential in the process of choosing the appropriate therapy for an individual. As an illustration, examine the stark contrast between psychoanalytic therapy and person-centered therapy. The core of any theoretical approach in psychology lies in the unique interpretation of human nature.Sigmund Freud; founder of the psychoanalytic movement, had an extremely deterministic view of the human experience (Corey, 2009). According to Freud; a combination of unconscious, irrational motivations and instinctual drives that lie outside of one’s conscious control serve as the basis for one’s personality (Corey, 2009). These irrational forces include Eros; the innate â€Å"life instinct† responsible for sexual energy and our desire to survive, and Thatanos; the innate â€Å"death instinct† responsible for aggression (Burger, 2008).In addition, Freud placed a heavy emphasis on the role of childhood experiences and sexuality in personality development. Psychoanalytic theory asserts that most of the conflict experienced in adulthood is a result of repressed unconscious material from childhood (Burger, 2008). The psychoanalytic view of human nature is quite contrary to the humanistic outlook. Carl Rogers; founder of the humanistic psychology movement, developed a more optimistic view of human nature.This approach asserts that at the core of each individual lies a â€Å"positive center†, which is composed of trustworthiness and capability (Corey, 2009). Person-centered therapy is centered on the belief that people have an innate â€Å"actualizing tendency† which drives an individual to strive for growth and personal fulfillment (Corey, 2009). Although past experiences are not ignored in therapy; t he emphasis on growth, development, and competence proposes that traumatic past experiences can be overcome by finding meaning and purpose in one’s life (Corey, 2009).Given their varying interpretations of human nature and psyche, person-centered therapists and psychoanalytic therapists establish very different roles in their practice. Because the goal of psychoanalytic therapy is to bring repressed unconscious material to light, the therapist utilizes a â€Å"blank-screen approach† (Corey, 2009). Although they initially establish some rapport with the client; psychoanalytic therapists assume an anonymous stance for the majority of therapy by behaving in a neutral, impersonal manner (Corey, 2009).The goal of this approach is to foster transference; in which clients project repressed emotions onto the impartial therapist (Corey, 2009). The main role of a psychoanalytic therapist is that of an interpreter. Therapy employs various techniques intended to evoke unconscious memories such as transference, dream-analysis, projection tests, and free association (Burger, 2008). These repressed memories are often ambiguous and puzzling to the client; thus therapists provide guidance in understanding and confronting the meaning of this material (Burger, 2008).In contrast, the goal of person-centered therapy is to create a nurturing environment which fosters the client’s actualizing tendencies and growth (Corey, 2009). The relationship between therapist and client is equal, meaning that the therapist can hold no dominant role (Corey, 2009). Rather than advising and interpreting, the therapist simply serves as a model for the patient. In order to be appropriate models, three characteristics are required of person-centered therapists (Corey, 2009).Firstly, they must have congruency in their own lives by being genuine and honest with themselves. Person-centered therapists must also accept their clients with â€Å"unconditional positive regard† (Cor ey, 2009). This vital concept assumes that therapists can accept their clients without any judgment, and deeply care for people beyond the obligations of their occupation. Lastly, therapists must have a true empathetic understanding of their clients. Person-centered therapists should be able to relate to their client’s feelings and experiences as if they were their own (Corey, 2009).Cumulatively these three qualities create an open relationship in which the client is free to express themselves and grow as an individual. Due to the intrinsic differences between psychoanalytic and person-centered therapy, it is necessary to examine their strengths and weaknesses in application. Freudian psychoanalytic therapy has been modified greatly over time due to many flaws in the therapeutic process. The most notable of these shortcomings is the intense emphasis on childhood experience in personality development (Burger, 2008).Critics claim that psychoanalytic therapy ignores the signific ant role of post-developmental and current life circumstances on mental health. In addition, the therapeutic process in lengthy and costly; limiting its application to those in well-off socioeconomic standing (Corey, 2009). There are however many beneficial uses of contemporary psychoanalytic therapy. Some argue that because all people are affected by childhood experiences, therapy can be applicable cross culturally; assuming therapists possess a multicultural awareness (Corey, 2009).In addition, brief psychoanalytic therapy is a promising new therapeutic approach that aims to limit the time and cost of psychoanalytic therapy while maintaining the focus on the inner psyche; thereby broadening its availability (Corey, 2009). Person-centered therapy is currently a more widely utilized form of therapy, but it is not without weaknesses. Critics argue that from a multicultural perspective, the internal locus of evaluation stressed in therapy may not be fitting for some collectivist cultu res; who value the opinions and standards of other group members over their own (Corey, 2009).Others contend that the non-directive stance of the therapist may not be sufficient for those seeking guidance from therapy. Although some aspects of therapy may be flawed, humanistic psychology has been responsible for some major breakthroughs in the field of human resources internationally. Humanistic psychologists have traveled to over 30 countries worldwide in order to assist different cultures in their adoption and modification of humanistic theory and therapy; in hopes of promoting global communication and understanding (Corey, 2009).Those who promote person-centered therapy also assert that the key therapeutic conditions of empathy, understanding, and honest caring are essential in promoting growth universally (Corey, 2009). References Burger, J. M. (2008). Personality. (8th ed. ). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Corey, G. (2013). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psych otherapy. (9th ed. ). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

The Universal Freckle, or How I Learned to Be White by Dalton (on Assignment

The Universal Freckle, or How I Learned to Be White by Dalton (on e-Reserve) - Assignment Example Certainly, everybody of us enjoys a privilege of one sort or the other in our lives. I, for example, have privileges over my servants, who then have many privileges over those living below in the poverty line. Likewise a woman in an Eastern society is more likely to enjoy privileges over their male counterparts since their men maintain a deeper reverence for the female genre altogether. Thus yes, I have been observing privileges around me all the time. Yes, ‘White Privilege’ is a term used to identify the advantages the white skinned people enjoy over darker one – in other words: Racism. Throughout the article the writer tries to undo the knots that hold racism and ethnicity together; something which has been validated by the UN convention that â€Å"there is no distinction between the terms racial discrimination and ethnic discrimination†. Though the world today is more evolved and mere colors do not define the privileges we enjoy today, but nonetheless the concept of racism has had a huge impact on the social structure of our society. Since every American stands equal today – as guaranteed by the constitution – the concepts of black and white had been pushed to a corner and we hardly find examples of racial discrimination today. The most contradictory products of racial discrimination came in the form of the teachers the writer had at school. At one school an African American teacher dare not cross the line and hit a white child drawing a clear border between the blacks and the non-blacks; while at another a Chinese teacher uses more productive measures and tries her best to blend the class into an equal force. Racial discrimination has always remained a heated debated and a serious problem of our society. Taking into account the writer’s experience with the German woman-shopkeeper, we all should rather pave our way towards unity and stand as one equal force. Divisions and

Katrina Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Katrina - Research Paper Example ring information; holding rehearsals, simulations, and drills; training campaigns; engaging citizens; creating non emergency agencies; as well as changing laws and updating resources† (152). The findings of Quarantelli also deserve special attention as his observations clearly show how communities, organizations and individuals may respond to disaster preparedness. The paper also throws light on the lessons that Hurricane Katrina bring to the Federal disaster preparedness plans. It is worthwhile to analyze Quarantelli’s findings on how individuals would respond to disaster preparedness. He holds that even though â€Å"individuals tend to have little interest in disaster preparedness in advance of disasters† they tend to help each other once disasters occur; similarly, individuals are likely to respond rationally to any serious ‘explicit warnings of impending hazards’ (Brunschot and Kennedy 151). It is thus evident that individuals actively take part in initial search and rescue efforts after a disaster occurs. However, evacuation seems to be problematic in many cases where people are uncertain about the safety of their loved ones. Similarly, Quarantelli’s findings about community preparedness are also noteworthy. He observes that even though mass media and reporting of disasters have considerably increased community-level mitigation plans â€Å"preparedness at the community level is often uneven and problematic† (Brunschot and Kennedy 151). Quarantelli also points out that there is a lack of coordination of various agencies at the community level preparedness. He also pinpoints how community issues such as poverty still haunt the victims in the aftermath of disasters which make their conditions worse. His findings also show how unprepared and unplanned are most organizations towards disaster mitigation plans. In fact, none of the findings of Quarantelli seems to be surprising as they go in tune with the recent disaster management experience of the

Motivating and Lying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Motivating and Lying - Essay Example tivation deals with the causes of people’s behavior, it attempts to explain why we behave in the way that we do.† There are instances when a person needs words of encouragement to feel better towards the things that surrounds him. Often, the motivational statements are true however there are times when the statements are false or considered as a lie. When the statement is not yet discovered to be false, the person who the statement was addressed would definitely feel uplifted, inspired and motivated. However, when the falsehood of the statement is exposed, either the person whom the message was addressed to will feel betrayed or used depending on the extent of the events that happened prior to exposure or the statement will be taken as a form of non-sense and the effects of it can be disregarded. Most commonly, it is the instinct theory of motivation which is used especially in the professional aspect of a person’s life. As expressed by Comer & Gould (2012) that â€Å"behavior is motivated by instincts.† Once said it is safe to conclude that there is that concealed motivation within a person. Either these motivation bundles just need some push to be opened or a tickle to function at the right moment. Or there are instances that when a person sees a good opportunity that is when motivation attacks and the person is given more enthusiasm towards certain events. It will be quite disappointing though when a falsehood in a motivational statement is found however when in the long run the â€Å"lie† resulted into a positive action from the person and began to make changes in one’s life, it would not matter anymore because it made realization within the self of one’s capabilities and

Thermodynamics Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Thermodynamics - Speech or Presentation Example For instance, a rotating flywheel in motion possesses a ‘rotational energy’ which may also be treated a kinetic energy. Once a brake is applied to stop it, then the flywheel comes to rest the moment its kinetic energy is converted to potential energy which the device stores from the previous state of motion. First of all, an internal energy of a thermodynamic system pertains to the sum of all the microscopic energy forms. So, even if the fluid is at rest in a tank, it may possess an internal energy such as with respect to its position in the tank (i.e. altitude/height from the ground), its mass, and the effect of gravity ‘g’ which altogether makes a potential energy for the fluid. Q1.4c A m3 of air at B bar is expanded in a cylinder until the volume is C m3. Calculate the final pressure and the work done if the expansion is polytropic and n = 1.4. If the temperature before expansion is DÂ ° C and Cv = 245 J/kg-K, Find the heat energy transferred during this process. Use R = 810 J/kg-K and draw a P/V diagram for the process. Use your individual values for the above calculations. Fuels of low quality may contribute to rough engine operation. When considering upgrade in the fuel standard to improve engine performance, one must take into account the fuel characteristics which should be reduced or rid of excessive high or low volatility, contaminants, formation of gum, and inadequate octane. Basically, thermal efficiency refers to the difference between the energy content of the fuel consumed and the useful power extracted from the engine. A good thermal efficiency is one with high compression ratio and where fuels used are greatly calorific or at energy much larger than engine power under extraction so that this difference is equivalent to the energy of combustion that is converted to mechanical work which

Short response#5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short response#5 - Essay Example mund Freud and Albert Einstein helped in the launching of modernism via the use of scientific and irrational methods that were new at that time (Hunt 753). This modern era was characterized by new revolutionaries in science as scientists continued their research and discoveries. According to hunt, these discoveries came to shake the foundation of traditional scientific certainty as they posed a challenge to the widely accepted knowledge regarding the nature of the universe (754). At first, these new discoveries were not accepted well, but later on, people came to see their significance as they transformed the foundations of science. According to Porter, many achievements in the modern scientific sector made it easy to for medicine to be regarded as the motor and measure of progress (71). Medicine was used a solution to many deceases affecting humans and also for booting the immunity of the body. Additionally there was the introduction of contraceptives that helped in keeping in check the population growth rate. All these features promoted the development and progress of the society as avoiding diseases and controlling birth rate meant a more stable and developed society. Many European philosophers seemed to doubt the ability of traditional science to solve the social problems that kept coming up in the modern society. There was this belief of positivism that promoted the use of scientific methods to uncover enduring social laws. However, challengers of positivism pointed out that the ever changing human experience was not a basis for constant or enduring social laws (Hunt 753). In addition, the progress of science had its problems in cases of medicine whereby diseases seemed to be more challenging than anticipated. This made critics to question the role played by medical science in improving health, and if it played any role at all (Porter 72). Furthermore, the use of birth control stirred a lot of controversy as many critics saw it in a different light. Since

Capital One Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Capital One - Essay Example On December 04, 2008, Capital One acquired a well known bank called Chevy Chase Bank. As per the deal, Capital One purchased the bank by paying $445 million in cash and 2.56 million shares of Capital One worth $75 million (Gaithersburg Local, 2008). Companies are directly affected by the external environmental forces that consist of political, economic, legal, social and technological elements. Changes in these external forces directly affect the company which necessitates it to modify the corporate strategies accordingly. In 2008-09, the world economy was shaken by a recessionary turmoil and the financial sector was the worst hit. Functioning exclusively in the banking business, the company is at a high leveraged state. When market conditions are favorable, their revenue as well as profitability increases quite rapidly but when the market conditions are hostile, the company faces a sharp fall in business. The economic condition has revived in the developing countries but the developed countries like UK and US will take more time to come out of this economic shock. Therefore economic condition is one of the vital forces that Capital One needs to consider. In terms of technology, Capital One enjoys a sound position. The political condition is quite stable in US hence this will not be a major concern. After the economic recession in US, the government is in the process of introducing certain changes in its legal framework to exercise a better control on the financial market. Hence, Capital One will need to understand the changes in the legal policies and should make the desired modification. Apart from the above mentioned forces the competitive force prevailing in the US market needs to be taken into consideration by Capital One. The retail banking industry is highly attractive which lures new entrants into this industry. The lenient strategy maintained by the government of US is an added advantage for the new entrants. The new entrants have not only

Correlational Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Correlational Methods - Essay Example rticipants included 734 male students and 1030 female students (with a mean age of 14.12 years) that were enrolled from middle schools, as well as high schools within the Canadian capital region. Participants’ confirmed and finalized self-report measures to evaluate the rate at which family meals as well as risk factors related to BMI increase, which was resultant from objective measures of weight and height (Goldfield et al., 2011. 539). The study examines the literature on causes that contribute or correlate to obesity in adolescent children. It examines several different studies examining causes like exercise, diet, family history, education, income, breastfeeding, and gender thought in impacting BMI and obesity. The authors discuss the range as well as the number of studies that found certain types of relationships with high BMI within children and if gender is the cause. This study also determined that the correlation between family meals, as well as BMI, is greater in females than in males, and is consistent with the regression analyses. The study findings showed that families eating meals together could be a protected reason against obesity within female adolescents, but not male adolescents. Yes, because after controlling for suggested confounding variables, a higher rate of family meals was linked to lower BMI within females, but not males. A Z-alteration test of equality regarding adjusted correlation coefficients indicated an important trend (p = 0.06), signifying that the association amid family meals, as well as BMI, is stronger in females than in males and is consistent with the researchers regression analyses (Goldfield et al., 2011). The researchers findings suggest that eating together as a family could be a protective factor alongside obesity in adolescent females, but not in adolescent males. In summary, results from this study have significant implications for health care practitioners and parents advocating for more regular family meals

Buyer Behaviour Analysis - The Psychology of Buying Coursework - 2

Buyer Behaviour Analysis - The Psychology of Buying - Coursework Example The marketing strategy utilised by Mercedes-Benz is mainly customer based. The company reviews the changes in the needs and preference of the customers with respect to technological advancement (Finkbeiner, 2006, p.242). The major products of Mercedes Benz have customization to fit the exact customer needs. This is because; the company produces cars with high focus on a particular group of personalities in their mind. For example, the convertibles mainly target the young while larger models have specific production for official use. The company mainly specialises in the production of highly stable tracks, buses, coaches and luxury automobiles. The company history in producing quality cars puts it among the best automobile companies in the world alongside BMW, Toyota and Audi (Finkbeiner, 2006, p.244). The company’s products are mainly common among the presidents of different countries because of the reputable history in the manufacture of safest cars in the world. Mercedes Benz mainly focuses on a particular group of consumers ranging from businesspersons, managers, celebrities, politicians and the general population. This implies that each product from Mercedes Benz mainly meets the needs of a given group of consumers. Initially, the company did not face much competition across the world in terms of Luxury cars, coaches and buses. This is not applicable in the modern market since competition has increased tremendously, as a result, of the emergence of new vehicle manufacturers such as Ford and Toyota (Finkbeiner, 2006, p.241). Consumer behaviour has a definition as the consumer’s trends when buying a particular product in terms of the factors such as their needs, perceptions, attitudes, motivation and choice. Various aspects in which the product the consumer intends to purchase mainly determine consumer behavior. For example, a customer may have an interest in buying a car for luxury purposes while another

Intertestamental Period Essay Example for Free

Intertestamental Period Essay INTRODUCTION The overarching goal of the Christian church is to model a Kingdom lifestyle and in so doing facilitate a change in the world towards a lifestyle approved of God. That goal is accomplished by (1) being in the world, but not of the world, (2) being one and (3) using Kingdom methodology to achieve God’s objectives. But achieving the goal using that strategy is made difficult when it must be done in the midst of competing lifestyles. Especially when there is a desire to fit in rather than being ‘peculiar’. During the Intertestamental Period, also called the Second Temple Period by some authors, the Jews experienced cultural and environmental pressures which forced them apart and set the stage for the ministry of Jesus. The following is a brief summary of those pressures. 1. The Jews were bounded on all sides by other cultures and this caused them to compromise their life style to fit in with the world giving up any real distinction between a righteous lifestyle and a worldly lifestyle. Bruce stated that â€Å"the Greek way of life was attractive to many, and slowly but surely it continued to make headway among large sections of the population, including even the great priestly families in Jerusalem. This tendency was inimical to the true calling of Israel, and tended to break down the wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles in the wrong way, by blurring the sharp distinction between Israel’s revealed religion and Greek heathenism.† 2. The Jews moved from ‘being one’ to being ‘standalone competing sects’. It is readily observable that this caused infighting and an inward focus that was detrimental to their inherent mission. This problem was highlighted in later years when Jesus said â€Å"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.† 3. The Use of Political Means to Achieve Kingdom Ends Instead of being in the world, but not of the world, the Jews readily became part of the world by entering into the political system of the culture in an attempt to develop some level of security and ensure their prosperity. The use of political maneuvering was used during the entire 400 year period. For the most part it would be impossible to distinguish the political wrangling of the Jews from that of any other self-interest groups of the day. 4. The combining of church and state in the office of High Priest. The High Priest was supposed to monitor and ensure the spiritual welfare of the Jews. However in during the Intertestamental period, governmental authority was vested in that position by the ruling factions. We can observe the same thing in some churches today. We have Pastors who are not only empowered with the spiritual welfare of the church but are also given carte blanche authority over the governance of the church. And balancing those requirements is difficult at best. We must also consider the varying conquest strategies used by the nations that existed around the Jews. The Semitic nations, which included the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Ammonites, the Moabites and the Esau-ites deported those they conquered to be settled in foreign lands. Additionally, they had a policy of destroying the religion and culture of those they conquered. The Japhetic nations, which included the Medo-Persians, generally sent the conquered back to their homelands and granted some religious and political self-rule. The Hamitic nations, which included the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Philistines and the Phoenicians, deported those they conquered and destroyed their culture and religion. Several sources were used to conduct this analysis and as can be expected, various divisions and time periods were used. For the purposes of this paper, we will divide the time period into the following divisions and use these associated dates: (1) 722-433 BC Antecedent Events; (2) 559-331 BC Persian and Medo-Persian Rule; (3) 368-323 BC Hellenistic (Greek) Rule; (4) 323-166 BC Ptolemies and Seleucids Rule; (5) 166-63 BC Jewish (Maccabean and Hasmonean) Self-Rule; (6) 63 BC AD 663 Roman (Herod) Rule. It is noted that the Intertestamental or Second Temple Period ended with the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. ANTECEDENT EVENTS722-433 BC There are events that took place prior to the Intertestamental Period that must be considered in this analysis. In 722 BC, Sargon the king of Assyria captured the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and deported the higher Jewish classes to Babylon. These deportations created spiritual crises for the Jews. But in addition, a lot of the cultural aspects of being a Jew were destroyed. According to Kostenberger, the monarchy was destroyed and the sanctuary which was the central focus for the Jewish faith was lost. The Jews, who apparently had a penchant for fitting in with foreign cultures found themselves in close proximity to Gentiles. This created moral and ceremonial problems for those living outside of Judea. In 587 BC, the exact same situations occurred when Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon captured the Southern Kingdom (Judah), destroying the Temple and Jerusalem. In 583 BC Cyrus, king of the Medo-Persian Empire, came to power and sent the captives home but only fifty thousand returned to rebuild the Temple. It is suggested that an equal number simply stayed in place opting not to return to an uncertain situation. With the goal of rebuilding the Temple, the Jews forbid the Samaritans to participate due to their mixed race heritage. Offended by this, the Samaritans became obstructionists delaying the building and eventually built their own temple further increasing the schism between the Jews and the Samaritans So we enter the Intertestamental Period with the Jews dispersed in several locales, experiencing and in some cases embracing foreign cultures to the detriment of their culture and faith and having been ruled and subjugated for generations. PERSIAN AND MEDO-PERSIAN RULE559-331 BC Historical Developments The Jews were delivered from their previous captivity by the Persians and for the most part were left undisturbed by the Persians. But they had new and enthusiastic rivals among the Samaritans who had not only delayed the building of the Jewish Temple, but had initiated their rival temple on Mount Gerizim, overlooking the ancient city of Shechem. Impacts on the Jews The remnant of Jews that returned was idolatrous and had lost any sense of reverence for the Scriptures. During this period, idolatry was purged from the Jews. They gained a new sense of reverence for the Scriptures. The Jews developed a firm grasp for the concept of monotheism and completed the Temple reaffirming it as the center of worship. HELLENISTIC (GREEK) RULE368-323 BC Historical Developments It can be defended that the Hellenistic (Greek) Rule Period actually started with the rule of Philip. Philip had brought the whole of Greece under his rule, and intended to lead the combined forces of his empire against the Persians. Some view this as a Macedonian event, but Philip had already embraced the Greek culture. One of Philip’s first acts was to have his young son, Alexander trained in Greek culture. However before Philip could complete his military efforts, he was assassinated and it was left to Alexander to complete his plans. Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Babylon, Palestine, Syria, Egypt and western India. Alexander’s Empire did not last long. In 323 he died of a fever at Babylon, before he had completed his thirty-third year. But even before his death, his followers carried the Greek language and culture all over the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia. Impacts on the Jews Caught between opposing forces the Jews lost all sense of security once again. They were immediately between two warring factions being pulled in both directions. This may have been one of the times when the Jews felt an overwhelming desire to fit in to avoid destruction. Hellenization, or embracing the Greek culture, was so powerful that from a cultural standpoint, the Greeks conquered Philip, Alexander and even the Romans when they showed up. The conquerors assumed the Greek language and eventually brought about the translation of the Old Testament into Greek (the Septuagint). Doing so also caused a rift between the Jews who were more traditional. PTOLEMIES AND SELEUCIDS RULE323-166 BC Historical Developments Pursuant to his death Alexander’s generals quarreled over who would succeed him. Alexander’s Empire was eventually divided into several parts. Of these parts only two are of any real concern as they had a major impact upon the Jews. These are the Macedonian kingdom of Egypt, with its capital at Alexandria ruled by the Ptolemies, and Macedonian kingdom of Syria with its capital at Antioch ruled by the Seleucids. By 300 B.C. we find two Macedonian dynasties firmly established in these capitals. Palestine lay between these two kingdoms. Impacts on the Jews Hayford indicates that the Jewish faith was seriously undermined by being in close proximity to Hellenism. The Jews started to neglect Jewish religious rites and customs. But this is not to say that the Jewish faith is inherently weaker than Greek culture. For the Jews, adherence to Greek culture was easier and it was simply more acceptable. But it did cause a schism between the Jews. Two sects emerged which included the Hellenizing party, which was pro-Syrian and the Hasidim party, which eventually became the Pharisees. Once again, we see a division among the Jews. JEWISH (MACCABEAN AND HASMONEAN) SELF-RULE166-63 BC Historical Developments As they were pulled in both directions by two Macedonian dynasties, a Jewish revolt erupted. A Syrian official pushed for a heathen sacrifice in the Jewish village of Modein. Led by the priest Mattathias and his sons Judas, Jonathan and Simon this revolt eventually led to Jewish independence. The Jews retook Jerusalem, cleansed the Temple and restored worship starting a period of Jewish self-rule. However, this was a period of self-rule with major factions competing against each other. Impacts on the Jews In addition to the conflicts with the Syrians, the position of high priest took on political overtones with the high priest being chosen not by Aaronite lineage but by political strength. It is even suggested that bribes were being paid to secure the office. This caused further schisms among the Jews strengthening both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. ROMAN (HEROD) RULE63 BC to AD 663 Historical Developments The self-rule of the Jews ended in 63 BC when Pompey took Syria and entered Israel. Under Roman rule Antipater the Idumaean was appointed procurator by Julius Caesar and was later succeeded by his son Herod. Herod was a converted Jew and yet was one of the most heinous leaders the world had ever seen. A summary of his reign would include marrying the Asmonaean princess, Marianne to secure the support of the Maccabeans; murdering Marianne and her two sons at the behest of his mother; executing his mother Alexandra; murdering forty-three members of the Sanhedrin; Hellenizing the country by erecting a Greek theatre in Jerusalem; restoring the Temple to increase his popularity with the Jews; murdering his son Antipater; and finally committing the slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem. Impacts on the Jews These atrocities by Herod led to the development of three other sects developed during this time which included the Zealots, the Herodians and the Essenes. So near the end of the Intertestamental Period, we find the Jews more fractured than ever before, under the rule of a foreign power and turning to some very questionable means in an attempt to bring about God’s ends. MAJOR PROBLEMS AND RESPONSE 1. With the collapse of the Persian Empire, which had a very lenient attitude toward self-identity and religious freedom for those they had conquered, the Jews had to deal with a series of Greek kings who had a strong belief in their cultural superiority. The Jews were bounded on all sides by other cultures the principle of which was the Greek culture. Bruce calls this ‘the progressive Hellenization of Palestinian Judaism’.. The Jews started to compromise their life style to fit in with the world. In so doing, they give up any real distinction between a righteous lifestyle and a worldly lifestyle. The Jews made the decision to assume the Greek culture in whole or in part with some of them totally abandoning the faith. Others developed a sort of bi-faith practice where they embraced some of their Jewish faith as well as some of the Greek culture. This alone put them at odds with some of the more hardline practitioners of the faith. 2. The Jews moved from ‘being one’ to being ‘multiple standalone sects’. The rise of the Jewish sects resulted from the clash between Hellenism and the Jewish religion and culture. Taylor states that the Hellenism elements were dangerous to the purity of the Jewish faith and formed the new temptation to unfaithfulness just as idolatry had been to their forefathers. The Sadducees Under Jewish self-rule the Sadducees emerge as the party closely associated with the leading priestly families. It is thought that their name was derived from the priest Zadok, whose descendants are commended as faithful priests in Ezek. 44:15. The Sadducees observed only the Pentateuch and were the major supporters of the Hasmonean dynasty. As the ruling aristocracy in Jerusalem, they had a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and with pressure from other sects there was a need to align themselves with the non-Jew ruling powers. They held a majority on the Sanhedrin and were allied with the Pharisees in having Jesus crucified. They held to a literal interpretation of the Law, liberal religious views and feared trouble with Rome. The Pharisees The Pharisees were the largest and most influential Jewish sects. They practiced a form of righteousness that observed a complex system of oral traditions in an effort to flesh out the implications of scriptural commends for everyday life. They were dedicated to teaching both the written and the oral Law attaching great importance to traditions. Consequently they practiced ritual prayer, fasting and tithing. They strictly kept the Sabbath and many other rules for everyday life; devised legal loopholes for their convenience. Their main goals were the restoration of religious freedom and the cessation of the connection between politics and the high priesthood. Their popularity among the people increased steadily. Most of the scribes, or popular teachers of the law, belonged to the Pharisaic party. Politically, the Pharisees were the power brokers between the masses and the aristocracy. They were scrupulous about the Law and viewed themselves as separate from those who were lax about keeping it. The Zealots The Zealots were almost a military arm of the faith and were increasingly interested in political freedom. Their means were very aggressive and won the bulk of Jews to their cause They advocated the violent overthrow of Rome, refused to pay taxes and regarded any loyalty to Caesar or Rome a as sin. Their opposition to Jesus may have come from His discourse â€Å"They say unto him, Caesars. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars; and unto God the things that are Gods.† The Essenes The Essenes were one of the smaller sects and little is known of their origins. Their solution to the pressure and sects was to completely withdraw from society. They formed a sect that completely lived in seclusion. They turned to a philosophy that said we’re not of the world; neither will we be in the world. The Herodians The Herodians were a sect of influential Jews who were wholly politically minded. They still called themselves Jews but had pretty much left the faith. Even with his long list of atrocities, they completely supported Herod and by implication the Romans. This was their method of surviving when facing the pressures and challenges of the occupation and the various sects around them. 3. The Use of Political Means to Achieve Kingdom Ends The Jews, having lost belief in the ability of their faith to support them in their occupied and factional state turned to the use of secular politics to control their environment. Eventually, they came to pay little attention to the spiritual ideals of Israel. Their chief aim was secular power and aggrandizement. This can only be viewed as completely giving up the idea of being God’s people and in effect just throwing in the towel. 4. The combining of church and state in the office of High Priest. Carroll speaks of the evils involved with combining church and state. First you have religious power and governing power all handed to one individual. This can open to door to the state then having a say in who should receive those powers. Having this much power up for grabs sooner or later will result in the position becoming a matter of barter and sale. CONCLUSION These are major problems facing the Jewish people, but of them all, the greatest has to be the continued fracturing of the people into smaller and smaller self-interest groups. So the greatest threat to the Jewish people during the Intertestamental Period was not the warring factions around them. Not even the heinous actions of a tyrannical leader, but rather their own willingness to cease ‘being one’. There is an African Proverb that states â€Å"when there is no enemy within, the enemy without can do us no harm.† The Jews, in their attempts to meet the challenges around them were doing themselves great harm. But the Intertestamental period is a preface to the coming of Jesus. And it would be difficult to find a better time for the One who would unite all things under Himself. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bruce, F.F. The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 64. Carroll, Benajah Harvey. Between the Testaments, A Class on Biblical History. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas. 1914. Gene Taylor. 2005. Between the Testaments: A Study of the 400 Years of Biblical Silence and the Relevant Empires. http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/taylor/between.pdf [Accessed July 25, 2013]. Hayford, Jack W. 1995, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Kostenbergen, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum and C. L. Quarles. 2009, The Cradle, The Cross and the Crown. Nashville: BH Publishing Group. [ 1 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 12. [ 2 ]. John 17:20-21 [ 3 ]. Benajah Harvey Carroll. Between the Testaments, A Class on Biblical History. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas. 1914, 6-8. [ 4 ]. Andreas J. Kostenberger, L. Scott Kellum and C. L. Quarles, The Cradle, The Cross and the Crown, (BH Publishing Group, 2009), 63. [ 5 ]. Benajah Harvey Carroll. Between the Testaments, A Class on Biblical History. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas. 1914, 6-8. [ 6 ]. Jack W. Hayford, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 507. [ 7 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 10. [ 8 ]. Jack W. Hayford, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 507-508. [ 9 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 10. [ 10 ]. Jack W. Hayford, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 508. [ 11 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 11. [ 12 ]. Jack W. Hayford, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 508. [ 13 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 11. [ 14 ]. Jack W. Hayford, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 509. [ 15 ]. Ibid, 510. [ 16 ]. Ibid, 510. [ 17 ]. Ibid, 511. [ 18 ]. Benajah Harvey Carroll. Between the Testaments, A Class on Biblical History. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas. 1914, 42-43. [ 19 ]. Jack W. Hayford, Hayford’s Bible Handbook: The Complete Companion for Spirit-Filled Bible Study Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 511. [ 20 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 11. [ 21 ]. Gene Taylor. 2005. Between the Testaments: A Study of the 400 Years of Biblical Silence and the Relevant Empires. http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/taylor/between.pdf [Accessed July 25, 2013], 33. [ 22 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 63. [ 23 ]. Andreas J. Kostenberger, L. Scott Kellum and C. L. Quarles, The Cradle, The Cross and the Crown, (BH Publishing Group, 2009), 72. [ 24 ]. Ibid, 95. [ 25 ]. Gene Taylor. 2005. Between the Testaments: A Study of the 400 Years of Biblical Silence and the Relevant Empires. http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/taylor/between.pdf [Accessed July 25, 2013], 35. [ 26 ]. Ibid, 34. [ 27 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 64. [ 28 ]. Andreas J. Kostenberger, L. Scott Kellum and C. L. Quarles, The Cradle, The Cross and the Crown, (BH Publishing Group, 2009), 72. [ 29 ]. Gene Taylor. 2005. Between the Testaments: A Study of the 400 Years of Biblical Silence and the Relevant Empires. http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/taylor/between.pdf [Accessed July 25, 2013], 35. [ 30 ]. Mt 22:21 [ 31 ]. Gene Taylor. 2005. Between the Testaments: A Study of the 400 Years of Biblical Silence and the Relevant Empires. http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/taylor/between.pdf [Accessed July 25, 2013], 35. [ 32 ]. Ibid, 35. [ 33 ]. F.F. Bruce, The Period Between The Testaments: I, Political Development. Department of Biblical History and Literature in the University of Sheffield, 1949, 64. [ 34 ]. Benajah Harvey Carroll. Between the Testaments, A Class on Biblical History. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas. 1914, 11.

Behavioral Systems Theory Utilization and Application

Behavioral Systems Theory Utilization and Application A body or collection of knowledge that is of most use in giving definitions and explanation to the profession of nursing is referred to as a nursing theory. Theories are based on assumptions made up of models, concepts, definitions, and propositions. Croyle (2005) defines a good theory as one that is logical, supported by a past research in the same field, consistent with everyday observations. Florence Nightingale is seen as the forerunner of nursing theories although she never really came up with any theory in action today. She wrote a book about her nursing experiences giving way to numerous nursing theories. This paper is about the utilization and application of a nursing theory in addressing a clinical issue. Of particular interest is Dorothy Johnsons Behavioral systems model (Johnson, 1980). This paper attempts to identify a clinical problem in the society and apply the principles of Johnsons theory in finding the solution to the problem. The issue identified is aggressive beha vior in the elderly living in long-term care nursing homes. In the nursing profession, theories form a very vital part of the system. The main aim of nursing theories is description, explanation, and prediction of nursing phenomenon. A good theory in this field therefore ensures better patient care, professionalism, and better communication between nurses and above all provides guidance on further research and education in the field. A good theory has provisions for foundations of the nursing practice to help in the generation of further knowledge and giving good direction to the field. A theory shows what we already know and what we need to find out thus in nursing, it plays a central role in caring for patients. Theories thus go a long way in the development of the profession. Dorothy Johnson is the proponent of the Behavioral Systems model. Born in Georgia on the 21st of august 1919, she received her A.A in 1938 from Armstrong Junior College. In 1942, she graduated from the Vanderbilt University with a B.S.N. she got her M.P.H. from Harvard University in 1948. She was involved in teaching pediatric nursing at Vanderbilt University before joining the University of California in Los Angeles. Johnson (1980) states that the eight subsystems of behavior are interdependent, interactive and integrated at the same time. According to her, humans are behavioral systems made up of the following seven subsystems: the achievement deals with setting and attaining goals while the affinitive forms relationships with others. The aggressive/protective has the function of responding to threats and providing protection to ones self while the dependency subsystem obtains necessary feedback about the self and goes ahead to recognize the need to depend on others. Whereas the eliminative part expresses feelings to the outside world and is involved in the elimination of wastes from the body system, the ingestive is involved in the intake of the ever so valuable nutrients and acquiring knowledge. The sexual subsystem is for recreation, development of gender based identity and having sexual relationships with others. In other words, the seven subsystems need to be in good conditions and in actio n for a normal healthy human being. Interaction between the seven subsystems is in turn interrelated and connected such that they influence each other in delivering their various duties. However, the seven subsystems do not go it alone as they are also acted on, significantly, by external factors. For Johnson, the environment is the main external factor as it includes anything and everything outside the person in question. The physical, socio-cultural and to some extent even the economic factors form part of the external actors on the subsystems. Aggressive behavior is a social issue and the society forms the major part of the external environment. The main role played by nurses is thus helping the affected individual return to the normal balance of the seven subsystems. To achieve the possible ultimate functioning behavior, the nurses at the care facilities have to make the social environment of the patients comfortable so they feel at ease. When the subsystem fails to develop fully and/or does not get sufficient supply of something, it easily falls out of balance. At other times there is discrepancy meaning that the subsystem is not doing enough to attain the end goal, which is being in the best state. Conflict between the components of the subsystem is not good for the body just as much as one of the subsystems being dominant in action over the rest. They are the major causes of imbalance in the subsystem that results in people not feeling well and consequently falling ill. In the case of aggressive behavior, the aggressive subsystem is dominant over the other subsystems. When this energy is not channeled in the right direction clinical issues arise. These can be witnessed in form of violence, or aggressive language (Croyle, 2005). Regulation of behavior is the best way for the person to get back the balance hence is well again. The nurses at the care facilities for the elderly have to pay attention to any changes in the behavior of their patients. Alteration of the internal as well as external environment while n some cases stimulation of the recovery process goes a long way in aiding the patient to return to the normal balance. The unfamiliar environment in the facilities sometimes causes aggressive behavior, especially amongst the elderly in the care facilities. Elderly people at the facilities need the nurses to help with the aggressive behavior (Croyle, 2005). It is Johnsons belief that the basic responsibility of the nurse is to support the patient restore balance when lost and in case of imbalance then, achieve the status quo, which would mean return to normal balance. Nurses, therefore, need to be patient with patients with aggressive behavior if they are to get to the cause of the problem. Most aggressive behavior is caused by anger and emotional stress. It is thus upon the nurse to create conducive external environment for the patient to open up. Thanks to research and the advancement of science, it is now easier to identify and pinpoint where the problem comes from. In her analysis and development of the theory, Johnson did not fail to mention the contribution and effects of the environment to the body. Here the environment is divided into external and internal, the internal being the subsystems while the external include anything outside the body. On health, the theory holds that a healthy person is one with a perfect balance and stability in the operations of the seven subsystems. The nurse has a role to play in the regulation of the balance whenever there is instability in the system. External and internal environments are the main causes of aggression or aggressive behavior. Various parts of the body contribute differently to aggressive behavior. The brain is the major controller of aggressive behavior. The brain is in charge of controlling expression of both automatic and behavioral components of aggression. This includes violent behavior and vocal expression. The brain picks up signals from both the external and internal environments and expresses them in form of aggression. Whenever the individual feels threatened or uncomfortable, they become aggressive in their talk, throwing insults, and demeaning words. It becomes worse when they turn violent to release the anger they have inside. By elderly people, we mean those from the age of 65 and above, most of which have retired. These people are normally seen as a bother to their loved ones as their needs increase from the normal. They thus need more care which cannot be provided at home so they are often taken to nursing homes where they can get the proper care. Because of old age and stress from retirement. These people have difficulty coping with the changes around them and their behavior changes. Some become aggressive while others develop mental problems making long-term nursing homes the best to take proper care of these individuals. There are numerous long-term care facilities ranging from mental institutions for the mentally handicapped to nursing homes where there are available facilities to assist them in their daily livelihoods. Most of these facilities are homes to the elderly and those with terminal illnesses. Of the seven subsystems, the aggressive part of their systems is more active than the rest. They thus face life-changing issues and try their level best to deal with the emotional as well as mental challenges. Nurses in these facilities are particularly faced with dealing with mental issues that come with aggression. Behavioral problems often arise from the patients effort to deal with his emotions or simply express them. The behavior ranges from repeating questions or phrases, humming, pacing up and down, to repetitive behavior. Aggressive behavior includes throwing things, punishing language and even hitting (Parker, 2001). Nurses in these institutions have to pay keen attention to such aggressive behavior and identify which of the seven subsystems is not functioning properly thus help these patients restore balance in their systems. It could be dependence, the attachment, or the aggressive causing a change in behavior. The dependence in the sense that the patient who was used to taking care of himself now finds it frustrating when he has to rely on others for all his needs. The attachment comes in when the patient struggles to form new relationships at the care facilities and being kept away from the existing relationships. Normally the patient plays a role in the behavioral system model of treatment but in dealing with mental complications, especially the ones accompanied by aggressive behavior. Most of the effort is required from the part of the nurse who has to be patient with the patient. Ones the subsystem causing the change in behavior has been identified, the nurse goes ahead to ensure conducive external environment to aid the patient to full recovery. The patient has to feel comfortable in the care facility because any irritation or discomfort agitates them. The patient is incapable of controlling their feelings or emotions and may be aggressive in expressing what they feel. The nurse therefore has a duty to stimulate the internal environment to be peaceful through the external. It is not easy to take care of mentally ill patients because the problem lies within their minds. The best way to help the patient is by finding out what changed in their past behavior. What happened before they became ill is crucial in determining the problem and adjusting the environment in an attempt to direct the patient to recovery of the balance in the subsystem. Depression is one of the commonest common mental-health problems in health facilities. Loneliness, fear of death, helplessness, frustration, anger, and hopelessness are some of the challenges of post-retirement faced by the elderly. Depression has many symptoms one of them having trouble falling asleep (Parker, 2001). These symptoms are often seen as complications and most people try treating them instead of observing change of behavior in the individual and restoring balance. Depression can be solved by improving the external environment of the patient. Mavis et al (2011) states that anti-depressants are available and can be used to treat depression. He continues to state that the elderly always have difficulties with their carers thus adding more problems to the recovery process. The nurse should involve the patient in support groups; give medication to stimulate recovery of the internal environment, and involving them in activities that spark their interests. Individual therapy and interaction with loved ones is vital for the recovery of these patients. Depression is a mental complication and just like others, it affects the mind. The nurses have a responsibility to try to stimulate the mind in the right direction to encourage quick recovery and development of the mental system. Mavis (2011) confirms that some of the causes of depression include illness, loneliness, an adverse life-event, and even some medication. According to him, depression is an insight to more cognitive problems that the elderly have to deal with. This is where the environment comes in. the internal, (subsystems), have to be kept in balance. The external environment helps the patient fit in properly and be free with the nurses. The patient opens up easily to discuss problems when the surrounding is to his comfort. Nurses have to help them fit in to the care centers. In conclusion, the behavioral system theory is very useful in the treatment of mental illnesses. The mind is affected by the bodys subsystems and ensuring restoration of balance in the subsystems will go a long way in treatment of mental illnesses especially among the elderly. Not being able to express their feelings to the carers is a big problem to the resolution of aggressive behavior. Improving their environment and making the patient comfortable calms them down and thus improve the internal environment as well.

How does breastfeeding affect a babys physical development

How does breastfeeding affect a babys physical development Breastfeeding is deemed by many, as being the most important nourishment for a child. Breastfeeding provides a better and more balanced form of nutrition for the babies. Breast milk contains the accurate amount and quality of nutrients that perfectly lay within the babys primary dietary needs (Canadian Paediatric Society). To protect, promote, and keep the practice of breastfeeding alive the following research question is going to be looked at in depth throughout the report; how does breastfeeding affects and aids a babys physical development? There are countless physical benefits of breastfeeding for a baby. However the main focus of this report will be looking at the link to digestion, obesity, and dental health of the child. Breast milk is the best food for babies, the reason being is, it provides the exact combination of fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes required at various stages of growth of the new born (Kristen Burgess). Along with these features the most important part is that it is easily digestible for an infant (Leena Palande, 2010). A babys digestive system is immature and cow milk and other proteins found in formulas are heavy on the digestive system. Breast milk posses as a less load on the infants digestive system since a babys less developed digestive system requires highly absorbable nutrients. Human proteins are also more digestible as compared to the cow or other proteins that are found in the formula. Breast milk assists in proper maturity of the babys gastrointestinal tract; the stomach and the intestine as a functional unit (Jon Ahrendsen). Breast milk includes a particular protein called immunoglobulin, which operates like a defensive sealant in the digestive tract. Breas t milk also possesses a unique substance known as epidermal growth factor (EGF). It encourages the development of the cells lining in the babys intestines in addition to other surface cells, for instance the cells of the skin. These are some of the qualities of the breast milk which aid to develop the babys digestive track in a health and a strong way. Secondly, studies have found out that there is a reduced risk of being obese, among the breastfed children. Its best results were observed amongst teenagers, which show that the obesity-reducing effect of  breastfeeding  expands numerous years into a childs life. One more research revealed that the threat of becoming overweight was decreased by four percent for every month of  breastfeeding. This influence stables past nine months of  breastfeeding. The protecting benefit of  breastfeeding  is possibly caused through a number of factors. Firstly, infant formula includes approximately twice the amount of protein per serving as breast milk. This surplus quantity of protein might motivate insulin discharge in an unhealthy way. Secondly, the biological reaction to breast milk is different from that of formula. When nourishing a baby, the mothers milk encourages the babys liver to discharge a protein that aids to normalize metabolism (Breastfeeding Medicine). Feeding formula a s an alternative to breast milk, multiplies the babys concentrations of insulin in a persons blood, delays the insulin reaction, and even childhood is linked to the adverse concentrations of leptin, a hormone that slows down the hunger and restrains the body fat. Other than that premature introduction of solids (before 6 months) to the babies might also increase the danger of childhood obesity. Lastly breastfeeding also has one of its significant impacts on the dental health of the baby. Studies have found out that breast milk contains high levels of protecting chemicals and manufactures comparatively little acid in the mouth. Amongst breastfed children, the longer the period of nursing the lower risk of malocclusion; an undesirable relative positioning of the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed. Breast-fed kids have an enhanced overall dental health. Ones Breastfed have comparatively well-built teeth which are in good shape as well. They hardly ever require orthodontic work; the region of dentistry worried about the avoidance and correction of irregularities of the teeth, for example braces. In general children who are breastfed possess better dental health than those of formula-fed children (Target Woman). The main reason behind this benefit is the nutrients included in the breast-milk as well as the exceptional sucking action requisite by the breastfeeding. This benefit has a very long term effect on the baby. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of tooth decay. There are fewer chances of cavities  among the breastfed infants. One of the finest treatments for childrens tooth decay requires the mother to continue breastfeeding, at the same time enhancing her diet (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry). As the babies jaw muscles are energetically exercising while suckling, their steady pulling promotes the development of well-built jaws in addition to straight, healthy teeth.  Suckling at the breast is great for a babys tooth and jaw growth (Leslie Burby). All of the above facts clearly prove that breastfed infants are to a benefit when it comes to having healthy teeth. These were some of the thousands of significant influences of breastfeeding on a baby. It is very clear through the reports and studies that have been carried out throughout the world that breastfeeding does play an extremely important role; in the development of the digestive system, in reducing the risk of obesity and in providing a better dental health to the baby. Almost all of these affects do stay into a childs life for a long period of time. These qualities are incredibly essential for a babys successful development. Although physical development of a child is such an extremely important topic, but still there is not a huge study done on this topic in particular. As the above research has been done through numerous different web sites, peer reviewed articles and books. It is highly suggested that there should be a much more firmed research done, from the perspective of the physical effects of breastfeeding on the child. In specific, as there are so many benefits of breastfeedi ng on the child, why not the government banned formula for the mothers who chose not to breastfeed their children. Work sited Davis, J N,  Weigensberg, M J,  Shaibi, G Q,  Crespo, N E,  Kelly, L A,  Lane, C J,  Ã‚  Goran, M I  (April 2007).  Influence of breastfeeding on obesity and type 2 diabetes risk factors in Latino youth with a family history of type 2 diabetes.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Diabetes Care. Canadian Paediatric Society , PS. (n.d.).  breastfeeding. Retrieved fromhttp://www.cps.ca/caringforkids/pregnancybabies/Breastfeeding Jon Ahrendsen, JA. (n.d.).  advantages of breastfeeding. Retrieved from http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_more Target Woman, TW. (n.d.).  Benefits of breastfeeding. Retrieved from http://www.targetwoman.com/articles/benefits-breastfeeding.html Kristen Burgess, KB. (n.d.).  Why breastfeed my baby?. Retrieved from http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/why-breastfeed.html Leena Palande, LP. (2010, nov 18).  Advantages of breastfeeding. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-of-breastfeeding.htm American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, AAPD. (n.d.).  Breast milk andcavities.Retrievedfromhttp://www.curetoothdecay.com/Baby_Bottle_Tooth_Decay/breast_milk_cavities.htm Leslie Burby, LB. (n.d.).  101 reasons to breastfeed. Retrieved from http://www.asnatureintended.info/breastfeeding.html Evenhouse, E.,  Ã‚  Reilly, S.  (Dec 2005).  Improved estimates of the benefits of breastfeeding using sibling comparisons to reduce selection bias.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Health Services Research.   Breastfeeding Medicine (May 2010). Early childhood: breastfeeding, solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, an excerpt from the white house task force on childhood obesity: report to the president.  

Anthropology :: Anthropological Culture Essays

Anthropology Works Cited Missing Anthropology is a discipline studying flux and change in human communities and definitions of identity, mirroring the dynamic play of modernist reconceptualizations of meaning. As an academic discipline, anthropology demands a realization of the interconnectedness between human groups, a heightened abstraction of vocabulary and tools with which to articulate these connections, and self reflexive sensitivity to its history. In this same vein, modernism, as a movement of avant-garde ideas and art forms, draws community to study of itself, demands its own vocabulary of critique, and harkens back to the history of events that prompted the movement. Perhaps the clearest reflection of modernity in anthropology is found in dynamic cities and the birth of â€Å"industrial mass societies† (Rodrigues and Garratt 94). Just as modernist ideas were stimulated by rivers â€Å"of images and sounds jostling for attention† in the city, so to did this urban growth invigorate modern anthropology (33). Pursuing new forms of recording field work and transcending common modes of thought, modern anthropologists enjoy a veritable playground of new anthropological themes and circumstances. Evolving consumer items, fashions and entertainment demand an exponential reconfiguration of vocabulary to fit new inventions of community and individual identity. Methods of describing human beings through enhancing quantitative data and statistical information create more distinct categories of people, and provoke internal deconstructions of purpose and intention in field work. Reconfigurations of self within city communities blooms with exposure to different systems of living and thinking. In these reconfigurations, anthropology confronts the â€Å"glaring blind spots† of gender and race representations within the discipline, as modernity did through post-modernism (128). Today, women and minorities are anthropologists vital to the field, and anthropologists embrace a fuller reconceptualizing of their own identity in political-economic and socially roles. Self-reflexive, anthropologists reinterpret their motives within new communities again and again, just as modernist artists challenge audiences to reinterpret assumptions and motives of art, music and literature.

The Death of Bloody Mary Tudor and Good Queen Beth :: essays research papers

" 'BLOODY MARY,' a sour, bigoted heartless, superstitious woman, reigned five years, and failed in everything which she attemptcd. She burned in Smithfield hundreds of sincere godly persons, she went down to her grave, hated by her husband, despised by her servants, loathed her her people, and condemned by God. 'Good Queen Bess' followed her, a generous, stout-hearted strong-minded woman, characteristically English, and reigned forty-five years. Under her wise and beneficent rule her people prospered she was tolerant in religion and severe only to traitors, she went down to her grave after a reign of unparalleled magnificence and success, a virgin queen, secure in the loyalty of her subjects, loved by her friends, in favour with God and man. " So we can imagine some modern Englishman summing up the reigns of these two half-sisters who ruled England successively in the sixteenth century -- an Englishman better acquainted with history-books than with history, and in love with ideas rather than facts. It is interesting, therefore, to pursue our investigations a little further, and to learn in what spirit each of these two queens met her end, what was the account given by those about them, what were the small incidents, comments, and ideas that surrounded the moments which for each of them were the most significant of their lives. Death, after all, reveals what life cannot, for at death we take not only a review of our past, but a look into the future, and the temper of mind with which we regard eternity is of considerable importance as illustrating our view of the past. At death too, if at any time, we see ourselves as we are, and display our true characters. There is no use in keeping up a pose any longer. We drop the mask, and show our real faces. We should expect, then, if we took the view of the ordinary Englishman, that Mary Tudor would die a prey to superstition and terror, the memory of her past and the prospect of her future would surely display her as overwhelmed with gloom and remorse, terrified at the thought of meeting God, a piteous spectacle of one who had ruled by fear and was now ruled by it. Elizabeth, on the other hand, dying full of honour and years, would present an edifying spectacle of a true Christian who could look back upon a brilliant and successful past, a reign of peace and clemency, of a life unspotted with superstition and unblameable in its religion, and, forward to the reward of her labours and the enjoyment of heaven.

Active Versus Passive Mind Debate Essay

Étienne Bonnot de Condillac an 18th-century French philosopher contended that the senses are the foundation for all ideas and other functions carried out in the mind. Another prominent French philosopher, Renà © Descartes supported the Rationalistic theory; an explanation of behavior based on logic that has nothing to do with the senses. Condillac’s Sensationalism premise and Descartes theory of Rationalism serve as fuel for the classic active versus passive mind debate. The passive mind theory suggests that all learning occurs through the experience of sensations, in the absence of voluntary mind control processes, while the active mind theory claims the exact opposite; that individuals actively focus certain mental processes on the subject matter and the senses play no part in the process. Descartes also believed that sensory data was inclined to be false and was therefore useless, suggesting that mathematical deduction was the only path to the truth. Justin Skirry 2008 I believe that both theories have some validity. The problem arises for me with the use of the word all by Condillac, and the use of the word only by Descartes, which is what takes the theories from the moderate part of the continuum to the extreme. Sensory learning is of course a proven fact, but it is also a fact that active learning occurs as well. It is not unusual for a philosopher to be both a sensationalist and a rationalist at the same time. I tend to trust my deductive powers of reasoning more than my senses, because many outside forces can alter the senses. Take emotion for instance, I am aware of the role unchecked emotions can play in faulty decision-making. I have learned not to make important decisions when I am in a highly emotional state.

American involvement In N. Africa during world war II (Revised)

The second world II was a world wide conflict which started in 1939 and ended in 1945. The war was fought in different places in the world. One was fought in Asia at around 1937, the other in Europe in 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Germany. Another one was also fought in African continent. It led the world nations to split into two that is. Allies (Britain and America) and the axis (Germany and Italy) The Second World War started when Hitler invaded Poland on September first in 1939.About million Australians fought in the Second World War in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, North Africa, Mediterranean and against Japan in South East Asia as well as in other parts of the Pacific. The main focus in this paper will be to discuss on the US military involvement in North Africa during the Second World War. In 1942, November, United Kingdom military forces in conjunction with US military forces staged war against the French North Africa. It was the result of the long con tentious argument between American planners of war and those of Britain.The turbulence of this argument was calmed by the American president’s Franklin D Roosevelt intervention. American dream about the Second World War in 1942 was to attack and defeat Germany before proceeding to Asia to see the harm the Japanese were causing to Pacific territories. In the same year, the Soviet Army was far much pressed by the Germany-panzers division who were leveling attacks on Russia. Some American planners thought it was not necessary to attack North Western Europe.They planned that come 1943, the American army would be well prepared, trained and equipped to meet the Germany’s aggressive troops. The American planners believed that its army’s knowledge and resources could help them to accomplish their mission of bringing Germany troops down. The British military leaders under the field marshal Alan Brooke (Dennis P. 2002; 78) adopted a different approach. They never thought it wise to start launching their attacks in 1942. The main reason why they were opposed to this idea was because taking such a move would force United Kingdom to bear much of the military burden.At this time, they could not have afforded to have a division in the army because they were experiencing a fierce fight against Germany which had already inflicted a lot of harm to their army. Most of their military had met stiff resistance of the Wehrmatch in France during the disastrous 1940 campaign. At this time their forces under field marshal Erwin Rommel, they had done practically nothing to end or reduce the German military process in North Africa and in Libya. After the war, Brooke found the strategy of the Marshal very incompatible and that he did not appreciate what the operations in France would mean.He could not figure out how the Germans could reinforce their attacks about three to four times faster than theirs and he could not understand how they could suffer from the shortage of sea transport if the Mediterranean was not opened. The British opposed this idea though America promised to provide the invading forces. They wanted the Americans to clear the axis force in the Mediterranean shores of North America and open up that great inland sea for the allied convoys to move in.This culminated into a deadlock that made Brooke to consider switching the America army’s emphasis from European theatre of operations to the pacific, but Roosevelt the then president of America could not accept such an idea that was central to their war strategy. This emphasy from Britain never worked to the Americans instead it led Roosevelt to do something that Winston Churchill would never dream of doing. In fact he intervened and overruled his advisers who used to advise him on war matters. This was in the summer of 1942.He ordered his generals to direct their forces to the French North Africa to support the British proposal for landing along the coast of North Africa. He did this so that he could divide the attention Germans were giving to European war. He wanted to divide the concentration of German because he thought that if he did not do that, then he would come to face German some where in Europe. He knew that his move would be embraced by Britain though it was only done due to political necessity and national interests. At this time the British soldiers had no choice but to gang with USA in attacking Morocco and Algeria.From this time the attention that German had on war in Europe, half of it shifted to the battle in the Mediterranean. The plan was well strategized. About 65,000 men under lieutenant General Durlght D. Eisenhower were to be transported by the allies to invade Casablanca, Roan and Algers. These were the possessions of the French North Africa. Everything went according the plan and they had a lot of quick success that was attributed to the fact that the Axis attention was focused elsewhere. This time the Germans were trying to sub jugate Stalingrad and the Caucasus.In Egypt at the same period, the Rummel’s African Korps renewed their offensive attacks on the British area of interests. The British forces under Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery organized his army to liaise the move of the Rummel’s the Montgomery’s force entered into a fierce battle with the axis forces. The axis powers had no hope of winning this war and by early November Rummel’s armies yielded back to Libya. The move they took was against the wishes of Hitler who had ordered them to keep soldering on. Hitler never at any time contemplated of defeat. He would rather die that witness such humiliations (Ambrose S.2001; 58) At the onset of November 1942, the allied forces had started to build up their ships at Gibraltar. The German spies were aware but they down played the idea as simply as another large supply convoy for reinforcing Malta. The Germany’s companion had a different view; Italy was not so sure of this though Germany never thought about this seriously but had been ignoring Italy’s decision. In November eighth 1942 the foreign German foreign minister Ulrich Joachim who was also known as Von Ribbentrop was so sure about the American troops who had landed in Algerian as well as in Moroccan ports.These allied forces leveled attacks that had positive results as it was expected, the allied forces thought that the dissident French military officers who had supported them would turn against them however, this did not happen but to their surprise the Vichy French government just as it happened in Dakar and in Syria in the following year, they fought against the Allied forces though they did not manage to keep off the invading Germans in France and in Tunisia in the same year, that is 1942. The Vichy French military men couldn’t have resisted the German who were very adamant and determined to crash the French’s down.The Vichy’s weapons were not up to the standard when compared with those of the Germans. They used tanks while he German possessed combat aircrafts though they were not enough. The Germans never trusted the French Vichy government and that was why they could never let them to modify their war technology. They thought that French’s would rise up against them if let to acquire modern weapons. Due to lack of proper weapons the Vichy French’s were unable to keep sustained resistance against the Allied forces who comprised of British soldiers and America soldiers(Atkinson R 2003;152)In the initial stage of the war, America thought the French North Africa would not attack the Americans though this is not what happened. Though they tried to resist they could not resist the American’s advancements. They had no effective troops that would manage to keep Americans at bay. Though the American’s landings defeated the Frenchs, not all of them were successful. In fact a landing at Fedela costed the transpor t Leonard wood its 21 landing crafts and many lives perished. Also in another landing, the transport Thomas Jefferson 16 crafts was destroyed completely beyond revival.The most affected landing was of the transport canal which lost 18 out of its 25 crafts and in the second wave; five of them were ruined leaving only two boats that could carry troops and other supplies. There was serious landing opposition at Mehdia by the French forces. The landing was not safe and was very dangerous. By November 10th, the Americans under major general Lucian Truscott were able to capture the airfield from the hands of French military men. This was as a result of a very heavy naval gun fire between French’s and Americans but later after the negotiations between French leader and the allies in Algeria, fighting stopped.On 8th November 1992, the infantry division had already actualized its dreams in almost all areas apart from St. Cloud where they met a very strong French force. During this tim e the combat was spearheaded by Roosevelt who was by then who was brigadier general. However, the landings begun to be interfered with by the rising surfs on 8th of November, the landing activities were to be suspended. In the following day the Vichy government tried to counter attack but they met a lot of resistance from Allied force who had support from air bases and naval baseOran was secured from the hands by the American though the French looked like they would never go but an armistice was signed when the confronting parties came together. The most operation assignment that the allied forces faced was at the port of Algiers. The French had enough ground force plus 52 fighter aircrafts. They also had 39 bombers. The port was heavily guarded so there was no way the British’s and Americans could have an easy access to the port. The American troops of the 168th regimental combat landed on the West while the 39th combat team went to the East of the port and they raided the p ort.They used two British destroyers which carried the royal navy personnel and the American troops. Before they could succeed, one of the destroyers was destroyed and it had to go back immediately while the other one succeeded and crossed the barriers. These forces that succeeded captured the power station and petroleum tank firm and the Frenchs responded to this attack immediately. After some time when the 168th combat group failed to turn up, the American commander was forced to surrender his troops. The North Africa mission was called â€Å"operation torch† and the city that was their target was Casablanca and was under the command of Eisenhower.These nations (Sam M. 2006; 102) were fighting for the control of the Suez Canal that linked Africa with the Middle East. Suez Canal was the inlet of oil from the Middle East and other raw materials from Asia. Due to the mechanization of their armies, oil was a very crucial commodity and because Britain which had already a mechani zed army it totally relied on oil from the Middle East. Britain used Suez Canal as a link to her overseas dominions. This was all made possible by the Mediterranean Sea hence, the struggle. This struggle started at around 1935 when Ethiopia was invaded by Italy which by then had made Somali land its colony.The move frightened Egypt which was not yet a British colony. They started getting worried of its imperialistic aspirations thus in order to protect its interest and country, it allowed Britain to station its army in its territory so as to keep off any advances from Italy. Thereafter, Britain and France took upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining naval control over the Mediterranean with the main British’s base at Alexandria, Egypt. The British and American troops met little resistance at Algiers, Oran and Casablanca on 8th of November 1942. The war took place in the North African desert.By the time the war took place the Italian dictator Mussolini had a better e quipped army than that of the Britain and America. He had about a million soldiers who were based in Libya while Britain had only 3600 soldiers who were based in Egypt. They were supposed to protect the Suez Canal and the oil fields in Arabia. At this time the Italians were a threat to Britain. They had already started showing interest in the red sea and Suez Canal supply routes. The North Africa campaign in the beginning was hampered by lack of enough supplies on both sides but later they got equipped.Tough battles took place which either rendered one group to advance against each other along the supply routes. Many of these fights took place in the Far East region out of the Mediterranean where they enjoyed free transport (Breuer W. 1985; 26) In April 1941, the allied forces were under the leadership of General Bernard Montgomery. While the British troops worked to keep Germans forces at bay to the West, the US forces were supposed to confront the Frenchs in North Africa underâ₠¬  Operation Touch† The main reason for this reason for this operation was to take over Morocco which was already a French colony, to take Algeria and Tunisia.They wanted to offer support to their colleague in the Libyan Desert. They also wanted to make Mediterranean shipping route free to their ships and for other major operations in North Africa. They hoped that they would force the axis of out of the region. They also wanted the axis to reduce their concentration on the Russian forces or in other words, they wanted the Axis forces to divide their war attention between North Africa and Russia. The attack took Germans by surprise because they did not expect it to happen. Later, the French stopped being hostile to the allied forces and allowed them to nave access to Tunisia.Rommel led his armies to various defensive operations. One of the most key operations was of the Kasserine pass where American defenses were crashed by Germans modern tanks. This operation saw 1000 allied troops dead and hundred of them were held prisoners by Germans. They also lost most of their fighting equipments. Though the axis powers thought they were winners, to the allied forces was an awakening call. They went back to their drawing board, assessed their weaknesses and came up with the way forward (Funk A. L. 1974; 86)Americans never gave up; they sent Rommel back to conquer the Kasserine pass so that they could get the Merith line. This time, the axis forces gained advanced and suppressed the resistance that until they let 275000 prisoners free. The axis forces in Africa surrendered on may 2nd 1943 after about 350,000 soldiers were captured by the allied forces and 70,000 were casualties. After they quit from the war, the stage was left open for Italian campaign. The axis surrendered because of ruthlessness of ‘the operation retribution’ which was designed to evacuate German and Italian forces from Tunisia.About 897 were held captives, 653 escaped and were assum ed to have might drowned. In conclusion, we have seen how the North African war costed many lives. Many people perished and others were injured. Though the war was took place in Africa, it was not as fierce that one in Europe. These wars were fought by these nations to protect their national interests. No country wanted their competitors to have an access or even go near its spheres of influence. Another reason for the fight was to gain supremacy.The Allied Forces were determined to silence Germany and its colleagues which were proving to be a big threat in Europe. Their plan worked as it was expected that is, they engaged Germany to another front so as to divide its concentration on war in Europe. So, it was not war for the sake of war but war for different reasons. In this war America in conjunction with Britain were the main aggressors. They left North African countries highly damaged. A lot of people perished while others were injured. The harm this American led war did was more than what one could have expected.Reference: Dennis P. The oxford Companion to Australian Military History. Melbourne. Oxford University press. 2002; 78 Breuer W. Operation Torch: The Allied Gamble to Invade North. St. Martins Press. 1985; 26 Funk A. L. The Politics of Torch, University press. 1974; 86 Sam M. At all costs: How crippled and two American Merchant mariners Turned the Tide of world WarII. Random House. 2006; 102 Ambrose S. The good Fight: How World War II Was Won. Atheneum. New York. 2001; 58 Atkinson R. An army at Dawn The war in North Africa 1942-1943. Newyork: Henry Holt. 2003; 152