...Peoples views are divided on the Syrian conflict between those who view it as a revolution, and those who view it as a civil war. Revolution inevitably holds characteristics of civil conflict, there is a aspect of civil conflict that must not be looked at in all revolutions. There is a horrible truth about the Syrian problem which is overwhelming, that there are Syrians fighting and killing other Syrians in Syria. The civil conflict taking place in Syria is not a purely sectarian one. The western media exaggerates the extent to which the conflict can be so described. An arrogant Orientalist set of views refuses to understand the Syrians have a much different life. It revolves around death and pain. Sectarian war is the inevitable the destiny of Syrians. Not every conflict is about discrimination or for religious reason. The Spanish Civil War was a conflict between the supporters of the Republic and the fascist followers of Franco. The situation in Syria is closer to the previous example than sectarian civil war. One of the biggest reason behind civil conflict in Syria is the uprising of Syrians against a new feudal class that had enslaved them in syria. For rxample, the majority of Muslim Sunni rebels are moved by a will towards social justice and revenge against these feudalists, rather than exclusively by a sense of Sunni discrimination. In Syria, Syrians are fighting for different political reasons. Certainly some parties have religion focused political reasons...
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...CIVIL WAR JOURNALS “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, And is not either to save or destroy slavery” -Abraham Lincoln (1862) THE BACKGROUND CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR (C.W. JOURNAL #1). The Civil War wasn’t only about the fight of freedom for the black people, but also the economics, and the states against the federal rights, lead them to the call of battle. To me, they were important factors that people had their own desire of having the life they wanted. The Economic and social differences between the North and the South became more notable each day. The North needed the South, and the South needed the North. The southern economy was depending on cotton in which they needed the salves to work on. The North had the industries that purchased the raw cotton and turned them into finished goods. This created a major difference in economic attitude, and the North meant the change of society, evolved with different cultures and classes. Other fact that lead them to war was the disagreement the states had against the government. The government felt that the states should still have the right to decide if they were willing to accept certain federal acts. This resulted in the idea of nullification. When nullification would not work, the states felt that they were no longer respected and moved towards secession. ELECTION OF 1860 (C.W. JOURNAL #2). The Democratic Party split into Northern and Southern due the slavery issues. In the Northern democratic...
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...During the period of 1861-1865 that is commonly known as the Civil War, both the northern and the confederate states exhibited variegated forms of what it means to be civilized. At the bottom of it, the Civil War exhibited the most bloodshed on American soil at a singular point in time. For this reason it must be stated that both The Union and The Confederates both acted out bloodthirsty and carnal impulses. The difference that was displayed was that the liberalism and regard for expanded civil rights that was the basis for The Union’s war stance was countered by a stalwart reactionary ideological platform that The Confederacy clung to. Essentially, civility was at an all-time low during the bloodshed of the Civil war. Over 500,000 lives were claimed, however the etiquette and ideological platforms of both sides proved to be The old world charm of the South was encapsulated by John Mosby and his revenge against a Union trooper killing a young child in front of the child’s mother. Mosby exclaimed that revenge was not a primary, or even a secondary motivation. He honestly believed that he had to kill in order to stop the killing (Civil War Times, 31). This etiquette and honor displayed during the bloodshed was in contradistinction to the crass and needless killing committed by the Union soldier. This shows how oftentimes ideologies can mask the deeper, truer feelings and...
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...Introduction There have been numerous assessments of the events which occurred during the Civil War from 1861-1865, but none seem to justly satisfy the absolute, complete, and thorough accounts of James McPherson’s extremely detailed book, Battle Cry of Freedom. McPherson recounts the entire story of the Civil War, stresses on themes such as slavery and writes with a style of contingency to help create a deep study of all of the events- what did and did not happen. Battle Cry of Freedom is a masterful, fast paced retelling and remembrance that comes in the shape of a detailed resource. Published in 1988, it is critically acclaimed for its ability to provide in-depth factual storytelling. The amount of thought put into this expansive book by McPherson is researched meticulously as it calls for the skills of cogitation and contemplating. McPherson is a political...
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...Describe the different approaches to waging war of Grant and McClellan, utilizing Grant's campaign in the West and McClellan's maneuvers in Virginia. During the American Civil War, leadership within the Union’s army was constantly an issue. Within the Union, various generals were found at times to be at odds with the political leaders in Washington. This was especially evident in the relationship between General George McClellan and President Lincoln. This tension was the result of McClellan’s approach to waging war. By examining the differing approaches to waging war of U.S. Grant and George B. McClellan one can gain a better appreciation for the decision making that was necessary by leaders like Lincoln, in selecting military generals who could effectively wage war to defeat the Confederacy. By all accounts, George B. McClellan had the makings of a great general. Graduating second in his class at West Point in 1842, he served under General Winfield Scott in the Mexican War. (McPherson, 1988, p. 4) He also served with distinction early in the war by assuring that Kentucky and the region that would become West Virginia, remained out of Confederate control. (McPherson, 1988, pp. 299-301) After the Union loss at the First Battle of Bull Run, McClellan was named commander of the Army of the Potomac, and by November 1861, he was the General-in-Chief of all Federal forces. (McPherson, 1988, pp. 348-350) McClellan’s approach to waging war was one of the cautious tactician. He...
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...Analysis: The Gettysburg Address One of the greatest and memorable battles in the American Civil War in the 1860s is called The Battle of Gettysburg. Over 8000 soldiers died and were buried in temporary graves without any dignity. That’s why they were reburied at the Gettysburg National Cemetery in July 1863. Edward Everett the main orator, orated for 2 hours at the dedication of the cemetery and reflected all of the details of the battle, whereas President Abraham Lincoln held a very short speech within 2 minutes, which today is the most memorable speech in the world. Its structure and message is so striking and timeless that even students at high schools have to learn it by heart. He starts his speech at the very first beginning, namely when the United States were found in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, which he even quotes saying “that all men are created equal”. This gives his speech a good basic and foundation to rely on and picks up the idea of a great, equal nation, that contradicts by having fought such a war. However that may be, by saying they were all created equal he honors the fallen soldiers, as they honored this value as well and died for it. So you might say the civil war was fought to secure the American values such as freedom and equality. After that he goes on with talking about the present. He perceives the civil war as being a test “whether that nation can long endure”. And for him it seems like we passed the test, as many soldiers gave up...
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...(Filled with portions of dense woods and large boulders). However, on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 the successful defense of this small hill by the Union Army decisively changed the outcome of the Gettysburg campaign. The Battle of Little Round Top was essentially a brigade level battle between the left flank of the Union Army occupying...
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...Malcolm DuBose Dr. Paul A. Cimbala Seminar:Civil War Soldiers Essay 3 The extent of political ideology as a motivational factor for soldiers in the American Civil War was so great that it changed the historical narrative of the war for veterans and future southerners. In his semi-biographical book, The Making of a Confederate, Williams L. Barney uses the life of an elite Western North Carolina planter named Walter Lenoir, and his descent into the Lost Cause ideology. Barney presents Lenoir as a comparatively liberal man of the time. Educated at his home states university, prior to the attack on Fort Sumner he planned to move to Minnesota, a fairly young state that was actively recruiting Americans from other states and Europeans to solidify population dominance over the inhabitant native tribes. Barney characterizes the Lost Cause phenomenon as an attachment to the faded glory of a romanticized Confederate past. Using Williams L. Barney as a model of the Confederate soldier, his choice of subject varies from the popular trend of studying the poor southern confederate soldiers and his motivations. Lenoir, an elite southern planter was the quintessential model of who would most benefit from a victorious south. Though southern identity contains it fare share of myriad ambiguities, Barney presents a semi-biographical analysis that precisely dissects the often-proclaimed complexity of the Lost Cause narrative. With intention, Barney shows that the preservation of slavery...
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...Battle Analysis 1. Overview: a. Actium-Rome b. 31 BC c. The battle took place off the coast of Actium in the Ionian Sea 2. Historical Context a. This battle was a part of Roman Civil War between Octavian and Mark Antony. This battle would establish a Roman Emperor and one single ruler of Rome after Julius Caesar’s death. b. There were a lot of key events that led up to this particular battle being fought. Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. This led to the Second Triumvirate being formed between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aerulius Lepidus to rule Rome. They crushed the conspirators Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in 42 BC. After this happened Octavian would rule the western provinces, Antony would oversee the east, and Lepidus was given North Africa. Tensions between Octavian and Anthony became greater over the next few years. In 40 BC Octavia, Octavian’s sister, married Antony. In 37 BC, Antony married Caesar's former lover, Cleopatra VII of Egypt, without divorcing Octavia. After this, Antony worked to expand his power in the east. In 32 BC Antony divorced Octavia, making Octavian even angrier. In response Octavian announced that Antony’s will affirmed Cleopatra's eldest son as Caesar’s true heir. The will turned Roman opinion against Antony because they believed he was trying to make Cleopatra’s son the ruler of Rome. Using this reason for war, Octavian assembled forces to attack Antony and this is how the battle began. c. Octavian wanted...
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... The Domino Effect of the White Terror Have you ever tapped lightly against one domino and watched it knock down a whole line of these small squares? It is amazing how one single action can reciprocate so many other events. This is not only the case for dominoes, of course- everyday events have occurred like this too. A perfect example of the domino effect is the Communist split from the Nationalists, commonly known as the White Terror. This sudden purge only lasted around three nights, but the effects of the split would last for many decades in the future. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) split from the Chinese Nationalists in 1927 affected both China itself and other foreign nations through the triggering of major wars, changes in international relations, and the formation of modern China- one of the world’s leading economies. The effects of the split, both positive and negative, would last for many years to come. After splitting from the Nationalists, Mao Zedong led the legendary Long March- a campaign that would garner support for him and split the country into two parties. Although the route was extremely long and dangerous, the popularity gained along the way sustained the marchers. As Mao Zedong wrote in his 1935 poem The Long March, “the Red Army fears not the trials of the Long March, holding light ten thousand crags and torrents ... Min Mountain's thousand li of snow joyously crossed, the three Armies march on, each face glowing”...
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...“There is a war out there, old friend- a World War. And it’s not about whose got the most bullets; it’s about who controls the information.” Cosmo, in the 1992 Film “Sneakers” 0701. Introduction The instruments of national power (diplomatic, informational, military, and economic) provide leaders with the means and ways of dealing with crises around the world. Employing these means in the information environment requires the ability to securely transmit, receive, store, and process information in the real time. The nation’s state and non-state adversaries are equally aware of the significance of new technology, and will use information-related capabilities (IRCs) to gain advantages in the information environment, just as they would use more traditional military technologies to gain advantages in other operational environments. As the strategic environment continues to change, so does Information Operations (IO). Based on these changes, the present world now characterizes IO as the integrated employment, during military operations, of IRCs in concert with other lines of operation to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or take over the decision making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own. 0702. Background Information Operations are an evolving construct with roots back to olden times, thus it is both an old and a new concept. The late 1970 world saw the materialization of Information Warfare (IW) and Command and Control Warfare (C2W) as war-fighting...
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...Within the last century, the scale of war has made necessary a different type of leader. We no longer fight for our farms, villages, and hunting lands. Our interests have shifted from straits and mountain passes. In our current world, as a result of technological revolutions and ever growing political instability, we live in the threat of a global war. Actions have the potential to resonate in many continents subsequently influencing the economies, policies, and war strategies of nations worldwide. For these reasons, leaders must study the past and integrate history's lessons learned with the new challenges of leading within a heightened threat. Military leaders must maintain their grasp and focus on the technical mastery of warfighting, personal courage, and the ability to inspire men to fight for a common cause. Victory will lend itself to the commander who can master the terrain and find new or creative ways to employ his weapons and men. Leaders must be technically proficient with the arms they use to wage war. In a broad example, the Spartans studied the natural tendency of phalanx formations to shift right and employed special tactics to break off part of their formation and bring it upon the flank of their enemy. Even here with similar weapons and tactics, the Spartans pursued the mastery of their warfighting system and stood victorious on the field of battle. For a more detailed analysis, in 480 BC, during the Greco-Persian wars, a Spartan leader named Leonidas used...
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...Sheryl Smith Argument Mapping PAD 520 Dr. Glenn Starks October 26, 2015 Create an argument map based on the influence diagram presented in Case 1.3 and complete all the criteria provided in the exercise, beginning with claim. Claim: “The U.S. should return to the 55-mph speed limit in order to conserve fuel and save lives. Information: Authorities consider reducing highway speed from 70-mph to 60-mph could reduce gasoline consumption between 2% and 3%. Which would explain the price reduction at least by 10%. With today’s prices at 38 cent a gallon. However, a lower speed limit saves approximately 167,000 barrels of oil per day and would save approximately 6,400 lives a year.” (Dunn, William N. (2012), Para. 3. P. 24). Warrant 1: While reducing the speed limit can increase the fuel efficiency on the vehicles. Backing: Some cars are already made with fuel injection while driven between 30-mph and 60-mph. Mileage will drop noticeably if driven over 65 mph. Slowing down would reduce the amount of gasoline used as well as limitation grants. On a central standpoint these changes will cost less. Warrant 2: Reduced speed limit will also decrease the loss to of aid due to increasing gasoline prices. Backing 2: Reduce the number of victim will also reduce the governments cost of medical care. Objections: Shortening the speed will rise travel time as well as leading to traffic jams on major highways. Claim: “The U.S. should return to the 55-mph speed limit in order to conserve...
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...Gensurowsky Film analysis Steven Spielberg’s film “Lincoln” begins at the time of the Civil War when President Lincoln was demanding the war’s end. Within the first scene the brutality of the war is shown, mainly against black soldiers. Race was a huge issue at the time the film takes place and that was Lincoln’s largest struggle as he tried to keep the nation as one. The film takes place in the 1860’s and reveals that white privilege was a central belief at the time. However, the way that white people are portrayed in the film suggests that not much has changed in that respect. The idea of white privilege suggests that white people see themselves as just humans, people without a race. Privilege is a way of thinking that “generally allows people to assume a certain level of acceptance, inclusion, and respect in the world, to operate within a relatively wide comfort zone” (Rothenberg, 103). At the time of the civil war, white people took it upon themselves to decide who gets taken seriously and who is accountable to whom for what. They assumed superiority among every other race, as they were humans who had no race, they were simply humans. White people, men in particular, were entitled to any and every freedom that the Constitution allowed. In this film, Lincoln is fighting to pass the thirteenth amendment, which would free the slaves and end the devastation of the Civil War. The white soldiers are praised in the film for the battle that they are fighting, although the battle being fought...
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...over fifty-five different formal styles of poetry to choose from (Kennedy & Gioia 681-717) no two individual’s tastes will coincide, the same can be said for poets. No one will argue that Walt Whitman and Herman Melville have vastly different techniques for chronicling the events they experienced. This is especially true for the author’s interpretations of events leading up to, throughout, and after the American Civil War. Although they approached their subject from the same vantage point, that of the Union or Northern Army, both author’s writing styles could not be more different. Melville and Whitman’s family history, personal experiences, professional interactions and literary notoriety all factor into their chosen poetic style and content. The following is a critical analysis of these similarities and differences using select works from Melville’s Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War and Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. The list of recommended poems is not sufficient to adequately fulfill this requirement. For thoroughness, additional poems...
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