Environmental Assessment A Case of Bhp Billiton and ok Tedi Mine

Question: Discuss about theEnvironmental Assessment for a Case of Bhp Billiton and ok Tedi Mine. Answer: Introduction Environmental protection has been a big challenge from many mining companies. The need to balance between economic gains from mineral mining and to protect the environment is often a delicate balance. BHP Billiton and Ok Tedi are some of the global giants in mining with interest in various minerals. Over the years, BHP Billiton has consistently published its audited environmental impact performance reports. This paper looks at 2008 and 2015 environmental performance reports and evaluates the major environment assessment issues mentioned in the two reports. In so doing, it will assess through justification whether there has been any changes on the main environmental issues over this period of time. The paper will also look at the Ok Tedi mine, and the impact it has had on the environment. Discussion Major Environmental Issues on the 2008 Sustainability Report The 2008 environmental sustainability report explores a number of environmental issues. The companys focus has been striving to meet the demand for minerals while aware of its responsibility of environmental protection. In line with its mission statement and Zero Harm policy on environment, BHP Billiton often runs internal programs that seeks to set emission targets, track progress, and improve performance (BHP, 2015). The report highlights major areas of environmental concerns as; climate change and energy, water, waste, and biodiversity and land. Climate Change and Energy The company is cognizant of climate change risks associated with greenhouse gas effects and has taken necessary actions to mitigate this concern. Such steps include innovation and advancement in technological process, as well as behavioral change. Climate change is a global challenge that requires concerted efforts from governments, companies, and other stake holders. BHP Billiton has a 5 year target which seeks to reduce greenhouse emissions by 6 per cent per unit production. In the 2008 financial year report, the company noted an increase in carbon-based energy emissions by one per cent. In this period the company also experienced a five per cent intensity increase in greenhouse gas emissions for the companys global sites. This was attributed to the switching of fuels for generators in its Chile pant (BHP, 2008). Water and Waste The company uses water largely for mining, refining, smelting, and in other petroleum processes. BHP Billiton has set targets to improve on the use of recycled water while reducing the usage of high quality water. The company had a four year aggregate target to improve by 10 percent the ratio of recycled to high quality water used. The companys mining operations produces large quantities of mineral wastes which pose a great environmental hazard. During this reporting period, the company produced about 215 million tones of mineral waste and a further 192, 000 tones in hazardous non-mineral waste. This is about 7 per cent more compared to the previous year (BHP, 2008). Environmental Incidents Another major concern that the company reported in this report is environmental incidents. While there were no major environmental incidents reported, the company recorded 40 incidents with capacity to cause serious environmental harm. These incidents were cases involving chemical spills, tank failures, high rainfall cases, and uncontrolled discharge of sediments from tanks due to broken pipelines. There was however a mitigation action plan and the company were able to take prompt action to avert danger (BHP, 2008). Major Environmental Issues on the 2015 Sustainability Report The 2015 environmental sustainability report addresses a number of environmental issues while seeking to improve on targets set in previous reports. Like the previous reports, the 2015 environmental sustainability reports places emphasizes waste management, climate change, water, and environmental risks and safety. Climate Change Climate change being one of the areas of concern, the company has taken mitigation measures to reduce climate change. Being a major energy producer and consumer, BHP Billiton has prioritized energy efficiency systems and greenhouse gas emission reduction measures. In the 2015 sustainability report, the companys total greenhouse gas emission levels were 38.3 million tons of Co2e which the company still considers high although it represents a reduction of six per cent from the previous years emissions (BHP, 2015). Health Hazards The 2015 sustainability report considers the safety of the people as one of the key areas of environmental concerns. The company underpins this fact noting that the safety, health and wellbeing of its people is central to the organization. To this far, BHP Billiton strives to provide an environment that is conducive and free from injury and occupational illness (Lodhia and Martin, 2014). Despite this goal, the company recorded tragic incidents of employees in this period. Four of this cases occurred during on-site excavation activities while one occurred off-site. The company also recorded incidence of exposure to airborne contaminants and carcinogens although this represented a 40 per cent decrease from the previous years (BHP, 2015). In this period, the report records 4.93 million hours worked incidence of employee occupational illness which a sharp increase of 74 per cent recorded the previous reporting period. Due to the nature of activities at the company, cases of musculoskeletal injuries are a major concern. Musculoskeletal injuries are a result of heavy physical work, fixed work postures, manual handling, twisting, bending, vibration, lifting, and sedentary work. The report lists musculoskeletal injuries as forming the bulk of incidence reported with 139 cases recorded (BHP, 2015). Has There Been a Change in Emphasis on the Main Environmental Issues over this Time? Over this 5-year period, BHP Billiton has constantly sought to lay more emphasis on these fundamental issues. This is evident from the specific set targets on various aspects of environment concern, and the auditing process to check whether the targets were achieved. To emphasize the importance with which the company regards this environmental concern, the company developed transparent and reward processes and practices designed to measure performance based on facts. The company also trained employees especially with regard to health and safety. On climate change, BHP Billiton has been on the forefront in championing for a cleaner and safer environment. To underscore this fact, the company apart from being a member of Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, signed the Putting a Price on Carbon statement according to Taylor, and Hoyle (2014). Through innovative solutions in its processes, BHP Billiton has managed to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as evident in the 2015 sustainability report. Improvements were made in the extraction and utilization capabilities of gas drainage systems without which the company attributes could have resulted an additional 190, 000 tons of Co2e in the 2015 report. BHP Billiton processes to further reduce carbon emissions are a continuous process with the company banking on its Fuel Quality Network which seeks to let people understand the benefits of improved quality fuel (BHP, 2015). On environmental degradation the company has put more emphasis and steps to avoid degradation and protect the environment in line with its charter values. Among other steps according to Altenburg, Crocket, and Pearson, (2016) are the companys resolved not to extract minerals within word heritage boundaries. The company has also resolved not to explore where there is imminent risk to the ecosystem. This has led to over 60,000 hectares of land being conserved BHP, 2015). Discuss Whether Genuine Improvement in Environmental Outcomes has Occurred in this Time frame. BHP Billiton has made tremendous steps and improvement with regard to its environmental protection policy from where it was five years ago. Guided by its strategic plan and Zero Harm policy, the company has been frequently measuring its performance against its set targets. Among the areas that the company set to improve were on environmental degradation, water, waste management, people safety and global warming (BHP, 2008). In the 2008 sustainability report, the company had set a five year target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6 per cent per unit of product. By 2015, the company had managed to achieve greenhouse gas emissions lower than the 2008 baselines and six percent lower than the previous year (BHP, 2015). BHP Billiton has been a significant player in the campaign for clean energy. Through partnership with various stakeholders, the company has used its experience and technical capacity to assist in the development of in equitable and effective climate change policies. Within the same period, the company also made significant progress in its quest to improve on the safety of its people. This is seen from the development of a company safety intervention strategy that seeks to further reduce case of fatalities and injuries (BHP, 2015). In the 2008 sustainability report, the company had a target to increase the use of recycle water while reducing on the use of high quality water. With an aggregated target of 10 per cent of recycled water to high quality water by 2012, the company had managed to achieve 85 per cent use of water from lower quality sources (Walker, 2015). These statistics are a clear indication that the company met its target with regard to environmental protection. Ok Tedi Mine Environmental Analysis The impact of the Ok Tedi copper mine on the environment cannot be well documented although many reports according to Hettler and Lehmann, (1997) seem to indicate that the negative impact outweighs the benefits. Hettler and Lehman, (1997) point out that the Ok Tedi mine caused devastating environmental harm along Fly River and Ok Tedi River between 1984 and 2003. Kirsch, (1996) considers the Ok Tedi mine disaster to be the worst environmental harm that has disrupted the lives of about 50,0000 people as a result of discharge of untreated waste from the mine. Many locals according to Kirsch, (1996) believe the environmental hazards caused by the mine has so far outweighed the benefits received from the mine In 1999, a statement by BHP indicated that the company annually discharged 90 million tons of waste into the nearby stream, consequentially endangering fisheries, and agriculture ( Kirsch, 2007). These reports are supported by scientific research which have shown that the sediments and discharge from the mine have completely change the surrounding, leading to severe loss of aquatic life (Smith and Hortle, 1991). According to this study, mineral and non-mineral wastes were deposited over a stretch of 39 square miles. Reports according to study, estimate an area of 1,200 square miles to have been affected by the mine. Townsend, (2016) observes that it is often difficult to balance between economic and social gains associated with mining. For a country grappling with economic pressure in the 90s, the mine was a much reprieve to the government contributing 19 per cent and 11 per cent of total exports and GPD respectively. Word Bank paper No. 384, according to Marychurch and Stoianoff, (2006) provides that one of the success factors in the mining sector is for the government and private sector to support social and community projects. Both acknowledge that the Ok Tedi mine provided several social and community projects such as education, training programs, health, and infrastructure development. As a result of the Ok Tedi community funding, significant progress was made in health sector where infant mortality rates dropped Gilberthorpe Banks, 2012). Records according to Garrett, (2014) indicate that the Ok Tedi mine directly employed about 1900 people with majority from the Western Province and a further indirect employed approximated to be four times more. Several business around the area depended on Ok Tedi as a source of market for their products and services. Garrett, (2014) notes that the mining company is largely credited for the shift of the local economy from subsistence to cash based While the local community and the government benefited from the Ok Tedi mine, majority feel the mine has had many hazardous effects. This view is supported by several studies and reports which has documented the devastating effects of the mine. The sediments and waste discharged from the mine spanning over 10 years changed the local ecosystem thus affecting aquatic life (OBrien, 2015). It is with these reasons and others that many feel the Ok Tedi is a project which should have never been. Reference Lists Altenburg, K., Crocket, G. and Pearson, M., 2016. Broken hill, the national heritage list, and the management of heritage values.Historic Environment,28(1), p.98. Armstrong, R., Baillie, C. and Cumming-Potvin, W., 2014. Mining and Communities: Understanding the Context of Engineering Practice. Synthesis Lectures on Engineers, Technology, and Society, 8(1), pp.1-148 Brueckner, M., Durey, A., Mayes, R. and Pforr, C., 2013. The mining boom and Western Australias changing landscape: Towards sustainability or business as usual?. Rural Society, 22(2), pp.111-124. BHP (2008)Taking the long view Sustainability Report 2015. Available at: https://www.bhpbilliton.com/~/media/bhp/documents/investors/annual-reports/2015/bhpbillitonsustainabilityreport2015_interactive.pdf (Accessed: 30 September 2016). Blazey, P. and Perkiss, S., 2016. The empowerment of Papua New Huinea's tribespeople: Overcoming the challenges of foreign investment projects. Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, The, 22(2), p.206. Garrett, J. (2014)Assets of Ok Tedi mine come under community control. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-10/an-png-ok-tedi-assets-handover/5250694 (Accessed: 30 September 2016). Gilberthorpe, E. and Banks, G., 2012. Development on whose terms?: CSR discourse and social realities in Papua New Guinea's extractive industries sector.Resources Policy,37(2), pp.185-193. Mudd, G.M., Weng, Z. and Jowitt, S.M., 2013. A detailed assessment of global Cu resource trends and endowments. Economic Geology, 108(5), pp.1163-1183. Kirsch, S., 2012. Juridification of Indigenous Politics. Law Against the State: Ethnographic Forays Into Law's Transformations, p.23. Manz, C.T. and Tutesigensi, A., 2014. Energy in Germany: A critical review of current issues and analysis of future potential. International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, 3(4), pp.2640-2651. Luning, S., 2012. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for exploration: Consultants, companies and communities in processes of engagements. Resources policy, 37(2), pp.205-211. Lodhia, S. and Martin, N., 2014. Corporate sustainability indicators: an Australian mining case study.Journal of Cleaner Production,84, pp.107-115. Prno, J. and Slocombe, D.S., 2012. Exploring the origins of social license to operatein the mining sector: Perspectives from governance and sustainability theories. Resources Policy, 37(3), pp.346-357. Schoenberger, E., 2016. Environmentally sustainable mining: The case of tailings storage facilities. Resources Policy, 49, pp.119-128. Sarker, T.K., 2013. Voluntary codes of conduct and their implementation in the Australian mining and petroleum industries: is there a business case for CSR?. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 2(2), pp.205-224. Soysa, I., 2014. Global environmental and sustainability reporting frameworks for mining projects in developed and developing countries. Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal, 33(2), p.205.

The foreign policy of the United States

Introduction The post-Second World War United States of America had a different face from the one that existed during the First World War. The United States’ foreign policy moved from isolationism to interventionism after World War II. Therefore, this paper examines the changes in America’s foreign policy after the World War II. It also examines Kennan’s long Telegram and how the United States may implement the suggestions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The foreign policy of the United States specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More How United States’ foreign policy changed after World War II Before the Second World War, the United States of America practiced the policy of isolationism (Chandler Write, 2001); isolationism can be defined as the state policy of shunning economic or political conflicts with other nations of the world. Isolationism was the basis on which the United Statesâ€⠄¢ foreign policy was formulated before World War II. This was because the United States did not want to get involved in any form of war in case there would be an outbreak of another widespread conflict. Besides, it never wanted to be involved in any war and would do everything to thwart it while trying to remain neutral. Many individuals in the Congress and other influential personalities supported the isolationist approach to foreign policy. They established the Neutrality Act to penalize the other nations that were at war with one another (Dornbush, 2009). The experience of the United States during the Second World War completely changed the government’s attitude toward isolationism policy approach. It realized that for it to be safe from potential aggression, it needed to have strong allies. This prompted the United States to start lending its support to the Great Britain. In fact, the United States’ isolationism policy was put to test when Japan attacked the Pearl Harbor. This prompted the government to revise its stand on isolationism approach to foreign policy and hence embraced interventionism one. The United States realized that it was not safe from war and therefore needed to build alliances with potential allies. The United States’ shift in foreign policy approach was immediately witnessed when the government readily agreed to host the headquarters of the United Nations within its territories after its formation. The United Nations was formed to champion the interests of all member states. Besides, the United States also joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. After the Second World War the United States realized that it could not remain safe by keeping to pursuing only its interests, but by collaborating with other allies to defend their common interests (Chandler Write, 2001). The realist approach by President Nixon in late 1960s and President Carter’s idealist approach of late 1970s President Nixon’s rea list approach had the assumption that a nation state was actually the principle actor in the politics of the world. Furthermore, realist approach assumed that power was the definite driving force in politics.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The approach posited that the quality of a relationship between one state and another was the principle factor that shaped or modeled how a given state should respond to any of the other states. According to the realist approach, issues that were social and economic in nature were also equally crucial as those of the military (McCrmick, 2009). President Carter deviated from the President Nixon’s realist approach. Contrary to President Nixon’s realist policy approach, President Carter’s idealist approach placed more emphases on domestic affairs with reference to foreign policy. His key policy areas included the enhancement of r elations with key American allies and placing less emphasis on the then Soviet Union as the main focus for the policy of the United States of America and the support of the global human rights (Soper, 2007). While Nixon’s realist approach mainly focused on American interests outside the territory Carter’s idealist approach principally focused on the significance of domestic values. President Carter believed that the United States could be strong internationally only when it was strong back at home. Therefore, contrasting the two policy approaches, realist approach gave the suggestion that the nature of human or the structure established in reference to the international system influenced the behavior of the state whereas the idealist approach was grounded on the belief that governments of states obtained their legitimacy from the people being governed (Copson, 2007). Kennan’s objective in his long Telegram and how the United States may carry out the policy he su ggests In his long Telegram, George Kennan focused on three areas; he focused on the primary motivating factors in the foreign policy of Soviet and also the ideological and historical background of international relations as perceived by the Soviet during the postwar period. He also focused on the attainment of the Soviet foreign policy and the broad repercussion it would have for the United States of America. In his Telegram, Kennan argued that the policy of Soviet principally targeted giving strength to the relative USSR’s policy within the international environment (Miscamble, 1993).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The foreign policy of the United States specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Kennan, in his long Telegram, argued that rulers of Soviet vowed to achieve their goals and objectives by leaving nothing to chance. This included destroying perceived enemies. He further stated that Soviet rulers were ready to use both direct and indirect means to infiltrate the economic, moral and or political structures of the western states by taking advantage of the perceived contradictions that existed within the structure of capitalism. They believed that with the stability of the United States, Soviet could not be secure. Therefore, the Soviet rulers emphasized that the American social, political and economic structure had to be dismantled to ensure such security (Kim, 2010). In this case, the United States should enforce Kennan’s recommendation that it should stop the Soviet expansion. He suggested that the United States should not use force or any form of military actions to stop the Soviet from influencing it negatively. The United States should increase its diplomatic relations with the Soviet rulers and solve the underlying problems amicably. Besides, the United States should have a policy specifically dedicated to dealing with Soviet as an entity. This should be geared toward increasing diplomatic relations. Conclusion The foreign policy of the United States changed from isolationism to interventionism after the World War II. Besides, the United States needed to come up with specific policies on Soviet so as to thwart its efforts to frustrate the United States; this was one of the suggestions in Kennan’s long Telegram (Kim, 2010). References Chandler, C. Write, J. (2001). Modern world history for Edexcel specification A.: Core. New York: Heinemann. Copson, R. (2007). The United States in Africa: Bush policy and beyond. London: Zed Books.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Dornbush, K. (2009). Kaplan AP U.S. History. New York: Kaplan Publishing. Kim, J. (2010). Ends of empire: Asian American critique and the Cold War. Minnesota: U of Minnesota Press. McCrmick, J. (2009). American Foreign Policy and Process. New York: Cengage Learning. Miscamble, W. (1993). George F. Kennan and the Making of American Foreign Policy, 1947-1950. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Soper, P. (2007). The politics of American light armor development from post-Vietnam to post-cold war. New York: ProQuest. This essay on The foreign policy of the United States was written and submitted by user Amanda Sefton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

I Spent a Long Time on This Isb Essay Sample

I Spent a Long Time on This Isb Essay SampleI was looking around and found some interesting Isb essay samples, which had to be my next topic. I love a challenge and my goal was to make sure that I would have something that I could pass out in class to the other students. I used this question in my essay as a way to get the point across that the other students can benefit from it too.The problem with the first question is that it's hard to write a proper essay on it. I also found that it had a little bit of a negative connotation to it, that I wanted to change.The second question is about writing about another thing in my life. It was a little bit personal, so I didn't want to write it in a long essay. I wrote it in such a way that I can relate my story to a younger friend who I am dating right now. Here's what I wrote about her in my Isb essay sample.'I remember when I started my student's life, I never knew what to expect. One day, while walking down the hall, I saw the student's li fe. It was kind of scary, knowing how she handled herself, but it also made me admire her for all the things she has accomplished, and all the ways she made my life easy.'I believe this is a great Isb essay sample because it actually makes you remember something about your life from another person. You are able to see both the good and the bad about someone's life.After you complete an essay like this, it will give you confidence. You will be able to speak confidently on different subjects. It also shows you how much you have learned from your students.If you like to practice on your own time or even without a deadline, use the Isb essay samples as your guide. The examples are so detailed that you can easily relate them to other events. You can use these with others in your group or private tutoring sessions.

Why did the Weimar Republic fail Essay Example

Why did the Weimar Republic fail Essay Example Why did the Weimar Republic fail Paper Why did the Weimar Republic fail Paper Essay Topic: The Republic It is often difficult to analyse the Weimar Republic and decide whether it was doomed from the start due to constitutional defects, or if prevailing circumstances initiated its collapse. This has been a source of argument for many historians, as they all have different ideas as to why the Republic did not survive. Edgar Feuchtwanger fiercely argues that economic problems were the main reason for the Republic not succeeding, because people could no longer be supportive of the constitution in times of hardship and desperation. As massive unemployment and spiralling inflation spread through battered Germany, another solution was sought, and people found salvation in Hitler. However, Dick Geary argues, The Weimar Republic was not overthrown by Nazism, it had already failed. The main reasons why the Republic failed were problems with the constitution and the way the political system worked; lack of support for Weimar; problems the Republic faced between 1920 1928 and the Wall Street Crash in 1929, which caused severe world depression. However, it needs to be decided if Weimar was inevitably going to fail due to the way the constitution worked, or if its never ending uphill struggle from 1919 caused its disintegration. By 1918, it was certain that Germany would be defeated after four years of intensive battle with Britain and France. Due to the possibility of allied invasion and internal problems, the Kaiser, who had been Germanys dictator, set up a constitutional monarchy, which was to be the most democratic system in the world. It was thought that a new democratic system would stop the allies treating Germany harshly, and pave the way for a fairer peace settlement. The Weimar constitution was a very modern one, perhaps even more so than its contemporary counterparts in Britain and France. It is also very similar to modern day systems, not least to the current system of Democracy in Germany. Therefore, it might be argued that the Weimar Republic did not fail due to constitutional problems, as Germany is certainly not failing now. The constitution was well thought out and there were many good points. It was a democracy and the general public were allowed to vote for who they wanted in the Reichstag. Proportional representation was used, which meant there was a mixture of people with different ideas representing the whole of Germany. The President could not make decisions without consulting and gaining approval from the Chancellor first, which was the constitutions way of controlling Presidential powers. However, as Professor Geary argues, Article 48 gave a substitute for the emperor because the President could restore law and order in times of emergencies without consulting the Reichstag. Although proportional representation appeared to be very democratic, it provided weak coalitions who did not agree on everything. Therefore when Germany needed to act quickly in times of crisis, decisions could not be made effectively, for each party had their own ideas on how the country should be run. Proportional representation also allowed extremist parties such as the KPD and NSDAP to gain seats in the Reichstag, which later led to the overthrowing of the Weimar Republic by the Nazis. The initial setting up of the constitution later allowed Hitler to come to power, which destroyed the Republic and, in a way the Weimar Republic was doomed from the very beginning due to the way in which it ran. Nonetheless, it is hard to say that Hitler would have had the chance to abuse the system if other problems in Germany had not existed. From the Republics preliminary introduction, it was faced with problems occurring from the aftermath of the First World War, which was to scar Germany for years to come. Germanys buildings and large cities had been ruined and German morale was very low. The Army, who believed Germany was still strong and had a chance of winning the War, were horrified to learn that their beloved country had surrendered and signed a humiliating Treaty, which blamed Germany for the war. The November Criminalsi who signed the Treaty of Versailles went on to run the country, and the Stab in the Back Myth i left the public with a sense of betrayal and a bitter resentment towards the Republic itself. Before the War, Germany had been a great and powerful country with colonies, lots of land, a strong Army and a challenging Navy. Now, the Treaty had reduced Germany to a wreck, with massive reparations to pay, less land, no colonies, and German people stripped of their pride. There was little hope for a new constitution run by people who had caused all this misery and resentment. As well as ordinary people hating Weimar, political parties from both the left and the right were against the constitution. The spartakists (an extreme left wing party) looked to the Soviet Union, liked the Russian political system and wanted a communist Germany. In January 1919, they started an uprising, but were crushed by the Freikorps, who also didnt support the Republic. However, the Freikorps were anti-socialist, and would have supported the Republic before they supported the Bolsheviks. The Right were next to revolt, and in 1920 the Kapp Putch revolt occurred. Monarchists seized government buildings in Berlin, but surrendered on March 17th. The Weimar government had had another close escape. The early major activities of Hitler included his Beer Hall Putch in 1923, where he tried to seize control of The Bavarian government. Hitlers revolt was crushed like the others, but clear opposition to the republic had been established. The Weimar Republic lacked support from people commencing the day it was set up, and so seemed doomed from the start. The situation in which it was built, and the circumstances surrounding the new constitution did not present the opportunity for it to subsist and flourish, despite other problems Germany may have faced later on. However, the Republic did manage to crush most of these uprisings and didnt fall to pieces. This shows some strength in the constitutional monarchy, so it possibly did stand a chance of survival. The political instability was intensified by the financial implications of the Treaty of Versailles. By 1921, the level of reparations had been fixed to 132,000,000 gold marks. It was clearly evident that the weakened Germany would not be able to pay. Not only did Germany have to pay the reparations, they also had massive war debts and needed to rebuild their damaged country. Nonetheless, a reparations program of payment was imposed on the Germans. When they were not able to pay, the French occupied the Ruhr in January 1923, which led to the total collapse of the Germany currency. The Republic had mainly survived the 1920s because of economic stability. However, by November 1923 Germanys economy was caught in a spiral of hyperinflation, and money was becoming more and more worthless by the day. The middle classes had their savings devalued considerably and pension funds were wiped out. They decided to blame the Weimar Republic because the people who had set it up had agreed to pay the reparations. Before this economic crisis, there were many people who did not really agree or disagree with the principles of the Republic. However, the time had come where people had no one to blame but the government, the majority of the country were angry, and it could be considered that with universal criticism, and perhaps some hatred, the new Republic was predestined to fail. Profiteering, crime and prostitution also increased markedly at that time. Such behavioural trends contributed significantly to the lack of faith in the Republican system. The evidence given so far suggests that the Republic did not stand a chance, despite everything that happened later. The general population had no faith, and without such support, a constitution going through times of much hardship stood no chance at all. However, it would not be fair to dismiss the Republic as a total failure, as from the years 1924 to 1929, there was relative stability in Germany. In 1923 Stresemann was appointed as Chancellor. His foreign policy was shaped by the domestic and international situation, and his main aims were the liberation of Germany and its restoration as a great power. He accepted that Germany had been militarily defeated and not simply stabbed in the back. He realised that France had legitimate security interests and played on Germanys vital importance to World Trade. He realised the sympathy of the USA was important to attract American capital, and as Chancellor, he called off passive resistance and agreed to carry on paying the reparations. This led to the Dawes Plan in 1924, which aided economic recovery and the French promised to evacuate the Ruhr in 1925. The years 1924 to 1929 have traditionally been regarded as the high point of the Weimar Republic a glorious short-lived interlude between the early years of the crisis and its eventual decline and collapse during the depression. An American Journalist in 1924 commented on the wonderful feeling of living in Germany and that things seemed to be much more free and modern. Kolb also described the years as ones of relative stabilisation. It is often agreed that the introduction of the Rentenmark, which stabilised the German currency and the Dawes Plan is a massive contrast to the inflationary chaos of 1922-1923. Had Germany picked herself up? Maybe the Weimar Republic had started to become stable and had a chance of survival. It certainly seemed like Germany had made a remarkable recovery. Heavy Industry, regardless of the loss of resources from the Treaty of Versailles, was able to recover reasonably quickly. By 1928, production levels were generally better than they had been before the War! This was due to more efficient production techniques, particularly in the coal and steel industry. Foreign investors were also attracted to Germany because they knew she was being supervised financially by the allies and had relatively high interest rates. The years 1924-29 held a great amount of hope for Germany. They had an effective Chancellor who was helping Germany to recover. There were many social benefits, and for the first time since the end of the War, people seemed to be living normally again. National border anxieties were settled in 1925, when the Locarno treaties were signed in London. A greater feeling of security began to embrace Germany for the first time in over ten years. By 1926, Germany had joined The League of Nations, and had a voice at an international level, and by 1929 even the withdrawal of the allies from the Rhineland seemed a possibility. Germany was beginning to get back on its feet after a hard war, and relations with the allies and the people were improving. The extremist Nazis had only 12 seats in 1928, and had little or no voice in national government. The socialists were in control with 153 seats and had a steady recovery in progress with no radical changes planned. The government its self had progressed from an imperial autocracy into a democratic Republic. If everything was going so well for Germany, then why did it fail? The Weimar Republic, although a little ambiguous in the first instance, seemed to be doing well. It had its faults, but these seemed to have been overcome in the years 1924-29. Therefore the Republic was perhaps not a lost cause from the start. It had a shaky beginning, but it wasnt definitely going to fail as Germany did eventually recover under the Weimar Republic. If the Wall Street Stock Market had not crashed in October 1929, the Weimar Republic may have survived for many more years than it did, and may even have existed today. In October 1929, all German optimism was dashed by world depression and the Wall Street Stock Market crash. The crisis was felt throughout the world but hit Germany most harshly. Loans and investments dried up and the USA demanded repayment of these loans. This caused unemployment to reach 2 million, a decline in the prices of food, a collapse in trade and a subside in demand. Bri ning became Chancellor in 1929, and his response to the economic crises was to increase taxes and make substantial cuts in government expenditure. His Budget had been rejected by the Reichstag, but because of the way the constitution had been set up, he was able to put the unpopular proposals into effect, by means of the emergency decree in Article 48. Arthur Rosenberg described the formation of Bri ningi s government as the beginning of the end of German democracyi. All classes of people suffered psychologically and lost pride in their country. In such a situation, it is not surprising that people lost faith in the Weimar Republic and saw salvation in the solutions offered by political extremism. People began to turn to Hitler, who preached employment and greatness; this is reflected by the Nazis gaining 107 seats in the 1930 election. The depression created the very situation that Hitler had been waiting for. The Nazis stirred up opposition to the government and Republic, by linking the government to Versailles, and linking Versailles to all of Germanys problems. Hitler had a very wide appeal because he was offering solutions to all of Germanys problems. He promised employment and a powerful Germany. People had been through a lot and thought Hitler seemed like he had a lot to offer. However, it is unlikely that he caused the Republic to fail, as the historian Bessell argues Hitler was a consequence of the failure of the Republic not a cause. He may have been there at the time when things were going wrong, but he alone could not have caused the Republics collapse without the other factors. There are many factors which contributed to the malfunction of the Weimar Republic. It could be argued that if certain things, such as worldwide depression had not occurred, the Republic would have survived, considering the relative stability beforehand. From the very beginning, the Republic faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. The public blamed their problems on the Treaty of Versailles, and in turn, blamed the government that signed it. The new government had inherited a difficult situation and it was inevitable that it would face technical hitches from the start. Nevertheless, to say the Republic was doomed from the beginning is hasty. The Republic was beginning to overcome its difficulties during the mid 1920s as economic, political, and cultural improvements were occurring. If it hadnt been for events like the Wall Street Crash, the Republic may have prospered for many years. In agreement with Professor Geary, The depression and crisis led to the rise in the Nazi vote, which led to the collapse of the Republic. The Republic had many faults within its constitutional set-up, which caused problems along the way, and lacked support, but these things had been overcome to a certain extent so the Republic had an opportunity. If it had not been for the additional prevailing circumstances, the Republic may have survived.

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Civil War Battle of Spotsylvania

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Civil War Battle of Spotsylvania Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was fought May 8-21, 1864, and was part of the American Civil War. Armies Commanders at Spotsylvania Court House: Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. GrantMajor General George G. Meadeapprox. 100,000 men Confederate General Robert E. Leeapprox. 52,000 men Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Background: Following the bloody stalemate at the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864), Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant elected to disengage, but unlike his predecessors, he decided to keep pressing south. Shifting bulk of the Army of the Potomacs strength to the east, he began moving around the right flank of General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia on the night of May 7. The next day, Grant directed Major General Gouverneur K. Warrens V Corps to capture Spotsylvania Court House, approximately 10 miles to the southeast. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Sedgwick Killed: Anticipating Grants move, Lee rushed Major General J.E.B. Stuarts cavalry and Major General Richard Andersons First Corps to the area. Utilizing interior lines and taking advantage of Warrens tardiness, the Confederates were able to assume a position north of Spotsylvania before Union troops could arrive. Quickly building several miles of trenches, the Confederates were soon in a formidable defensive position. On May 9, as the bulk of Grants army arrived on the scene, Major General John Sedgwick, commander of the VI Corps, was killed as he scouted the Confederate lines. Replacing Sedgwick with Major General Horatio Wright, Grant began to develop plans for assaulting Lees army. Forming a ragged, inverted V, the Confederate lines were weakest near the tip in an area known as the Mule Shoe Salient. At 4:00 PM on May 10, the first Union attacks moved forward as Warrens men assaulted Andersons corps along the left side of the Confederate position. Repulsed with around 3,000 casualties, the attack was the precursor for another assault which slammed into the east side of the Mule Shoe two hours later. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Uptons Attack: Assembling twelve regiments from the VI Corps, Colonel Emory Upton formed them in a tight assault column three wide by four deep. Striking a narrow front along the Mule Shoe, his new approach quickly breached the Confederate lines and opened a narrow but deep penetration. Battling valiantly, Uptons men were forced to withdraw when reinforcements to exploit the breach failed to arrive. Recognizing the brilliance of Uptons tactics, Grant immediately promoted him to brigadier general and began planning corps-size assault using the same approach. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Assaulting the Mule Shoe: Taking May 11 to plan and shift troops for the pending assault, Grants army was quiet for most of the day. Misinterpreting the Union inactivity as a sign that Grant was going to attempt moving by his army, Lee removed artillery from the Mule Shoe in preparation for shifting to a new position. Shortly before dawn on May 12, Major General Winfield S. Hancocks veteran II Corps struck top of the Mule Shoe using Uptons tactics. Quickly overwhelming Major General Edward Allegheny Johnsons division, Hancocks men captured 4,000 prisoners along with their commander. Rolling through the Mule Shoe, the Union advance bogged down as Brigadier General John B. Gordon shifted three brigades to block Hancocks men. Also hampered by the lack of a follow-up wave to press the attack, Hancocks troops were soon being pushed back. To regain the momentum, Grant ordered Major General Ambrose Burnsides IX Corps to attack from east. While Burnside had some initial success, his assaults were contained and defeated. Around 6:00 AM, Grant sent Wrights VI Corps into the Mule Shoe to fight on Hancocks right. Raging through the day and into the night, fighting in the Mule Shoe surged back and forth as each side sought an advantage. With heavy casualties on both sides, the landscape was quickly reduced to a body-strewn wasteland that presaged the battlefields of World War I. Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, Lee repeatedly sought to personally lead his men forward, but was prevented from doing so by his troops who desired to preserve his safety. Some of the most intense combat occurred at an area of the salient known as the Bloody Angle where sides were sometimes reduced to hand-to-hand fighting. As the fighting raged, Confederate troops built a defensive line across the base of the salient. Completed around 3:00 AM on May 13, Lee ordered his troops to abandon the salient and retire into the new line. Occupying the salient, Grant paused for five days as he probed east and south seeking a weak spot in the Confederate lines. Unable to find one, he sought to surprise the Confederates at the Mule Shoe line on May 18. Moving forward, Hancocks men were repulsed and Grant soon cancelled the effort. Realizing that a breakthrough would not be possible at Spotsylvania, Grant continued his trend of moving left and again slipped around Lees army by marching south towards Guinea Station on May 20. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Aftermath: The fighting at Spotsylvania Court House cost Grant 2,725 killed, 13,416 wounded, and 2,258 captured/missing, while Lee suffered 1,467 killed, 6,235 wounded, and 5,719 captured/missing. The second contest between Grant and Lee, Spotsylvania effectively ended in a stalemate. Unable to win a decisive victory over Lee, Grant continued the Overland Campaign by pressing south. Though desiring a war-winning triumph, Grant was aware that each battle cost Lee casualties that the Confederates could not replace. Selected Sources Fredericksburg Spotsylvania Court House National Military ParkCWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Spotsylvania Court HouseBattle of Spotsylvania Court House Overview

The Joy Luck Club Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Joy Luck Club - Essay Example She was my mother. The aunties are looking at me as if I had become crazy right before their eyes†¦ And then it occurs to me. They are frightened. In me, they see their own daughters, just as ignorant, just as unmindful of all the truths and hopes they have brought to America. They see daughters who grow impatient when their mothers talk in Chinese†¦ who will bear grandchildren born without any connecting hope passed from generation to generation.† (Tan 40-41) This quote establishes Jing-mei as a representative of the younger generation, while at the same time feeling a deep sympathy for the older generation. She understands the American-born daughters who feel they have lost their touch with their Chinese identities and feel as if they do not know their mothers. She also recognizes the mothers’ fears that for their daughters old values have no more meaning, â€Å"that to these closed American-born minds â€Å"joy luck† is not a word, it does not existà ¢â‚¬  (Tan 41), that they belong to an Americanized way of life and that in this effort to provide them with the best opportunities in life, the mothers have unintentionally secluded them from their Chinese heritage. Jing-mei steps in her mother’s shoes for a weekly gathering, playing mahjong.

Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 6

Business Strategy - Essay Example There could be positive or negative effect on stakeholders of any changes in strategy e.g. employee layoffs will have negative effect on employees. On the other hand an increase in revenue and profits of an organization will have positive effects on stakeholders. According to Mitchell (2009), it is oftentimes helpful to seek to model the organization in order to analyze the specific activities through which an organization can create a competitive advantage. Michael Porter sought to define such activities known by the handle â€Å"the value chain† and described it as follows: Outbound logistics refer to whatever activities might be necessary to ensure that the finished products reach the consumer. This can include but is not limited to storage, order fulfilment, and a litany of other factors. Marketing & Sales may be defined as those activities which are associated with encouraging buyers to purchase the product/service which is being offered. It includes advertising, pricing, branding etc. Within such a dynamic, the reader can and should engage with a simple SWOT analysis of the firm in question; Electrolux. As such, a brief discussion and analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats will be presented. The firm displays more than a few strengths; the first of which is necessarily the fact that it has a long and storied past of offering consumer products to key markets since 1918. Moreover, the firm enjoys a very good reputation with consumers as presenting an extraordinarily high quality and offering expert customer support and service post sale. Additionally, key acquisitions and mergers have worked together to make the firm into a resilient one that encompasses the strengths of other companies such as â€Å"ElektroHelios, Finnish Slev, Flymo, Danish Atlas, and Norwegian Elektrag (Lorenz, 1989). One of the greatest weaknesses is the fact that the firm is a