Sunday, December 29, 2019

How Did the Month of February Get Its Name

As the month best known for Valentine’s Day—a legendary saint beheaded for his religious convictions, not his passion for true love—February had close ties to ancient Rome. Apparently, the Roman king  Numa Pompilius  divided the year  into twelve months, while Ovid  suggests  the  decemviri  moved it  to the second month of the year.  Its nominal origins also hailed from the Eternal City, but where did February get its magical moniker? Ancient Rituals...or Purell? In 238 A.D., the grammarian Censorinus  composed his De die natali, or The Birthday Book,  in which he wrote about everything from calendric cycles to the basic chronology of the world. Censorinus clearly had a passion for time, so he delved into the origins of the months, as well. January was named for the double-headed god Janus, who looked into the past (the old year) and present-future (the new year), but its follow-up was called after â€Å"the old word februum,† writes Censorinus. What’s februum, you may ask? A means of ritual purification. Censorinus claims that â€Å"anything that consecrates or purifies is a februum,† while februamenta signifies rites of purification. Items can become purified, or februa, â€Å"in different ways in different rites.† The poet Ovid concurs on this origin, writing in his Fasti that â€Å"the fathers of Rome called purification februa; the word (and maybe the rite) was of Sabine origin, according to Varro’s On the Latin Language.  Purification was a big deal, as Ovid mockingly quotes, â€Å"Our ancestors believed every sin and cause of evil/Could be erased by rites of purification.† The sixth-century A.D. writer Johannes Lydius had a slightly different interpretation, stating, â€Å"The name of the month of February came from the goddess called Februa; and the Romans understood Februa as an overseer and purifier of things.† Johannes stated that Februus meant â€Å"the underground one† in Etruscan, and that deity was worshipped for fertility purposes. But this may have been an innovation specific to Johannes’s sources.   I Want to Go to the Festival So what cleansing ceremony occurred during the second thirty days of the New Year that was important enough to merit a month being named after it? There wasn’t one in particular; February had tons of cleansing rituals. Even St. Augustine got on this in The City of God when he says â€Å"†¦in the month of February ... the sacred purgation takes place, which they call februum, and from which the month get its name.†Ã‚   Pretty much anything could become a februum.  At that time, Ovid says the high priests would â€Å"ask the King [the rex sacrorum, a high-ranking priest] and the Flamen [Dialis]/for woollen cloths, called februa in the ancient tongue†; during this time, â€Å"houses are cleansed [with] the roasted grain and salt,† given to  the lictor, a bodyguard to an important Roman official. Another means of purification is given to a branch from a tree whose leaves were worn in a priestly crown. Ovid quips wryly, â€Å"In short anything used to purify our bodies/had that title [of februa] in the days of our hairy ancestors.† Even whips and woodland gods were purifiers! According to Ovid, the Lupercalia  features another kind of februum, something that was a little more SM.  It took place in mid-February  and celebrated the wild sylvan god Faunus (a.k.a.  Pan).  During the festival, nude priests called Luperci performed ritual purification by whipping spectators, which also promoted  fertility. As Plutarch writes in his Roman Questions, â€Å"this performance constitutes a rite of purification of the city,† and they struck â€Å"with a kind of leather thong they call februare, the word meaning ‘to purify.’† The Lupercalia, which Varro says â€Å"was called also Februatio, Festival of Purification,’†Ã‚  decontaminated the city of Rome itself. As Censorinus observes, â€Å"So the Lupercalia is more properly called Februatus, ‘purified, and therefore the month is called February.† February: Month of  the Dead? But February wasnt just a month of cleanliness! To be fair, though, purification and ghosts arent all that different. In order to create a cleansing ritual, one must sacrifice a ritual victim, whether flowers, food, or a bull. Originally, this was the last month of the year, dedicated to the ghosts of the deceased, thanks to its ancestor-worshipping festival of Parentalia. During that holiday, temple doors were  closed and sacrificial fires were doused to avoid malevolent influences influencing holy places. Johannes Lydius even theorizes the months name came from feber, or lamentation, because this was the time when people would mourn the departed. It was filled with rituals of propitiation and purification in order to placate angry ghosts from haunting the living during festival time, as well as to send them back whence they came after the New Year. February came after the dead went back to their spectral homes. As Ovid notes, this â€Å"time is pure, having placated the dead/When the days devoted to the departed are over.† Ovid mentions another festival called Terminalia and recalls, â€Å"February that follows was once last in the ancient year/And your worship, Terminus, closed the sacred rites.† Terminus was the perfect deity to celebrate at the end of the year since he reigned over boundaries.  At the end of the month was his holiday, celebrating the god of boundaries who, according to Ovid, â€Å"separates the fields with his sign and â€Å"set[s] bounds to peoples, cities, great kingdoms.† And establishing the boundaries between the living and dead, pure and impure, sounds like a great job!

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Two Opposing Perspectives Of Islam - 2110 Words

Maria Salazar Mr. Thornton AP English 8 12 January 2015 Two Opposing Perspectives of Islam By definition, Islam is a religion of those who obey the doctrines of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad, who in the 7th century lived in Arabia, initiated a religious movement that throughout the Middle East was supported by the Arabs. Today, not only in Middle East origins, Islam has adherents, where it is the dominant religion in all countries (Non-Arab, and Arab), but also in other parts of Africa, Asia and, of course, as well as in the United States. Those who are loyal to Islam are called Muslims. The Sunni, Shiite conflict in Iraq started long before the ruling of Saddam Hussein, but when Hussein became Prime Minister of the country the conflict between the two religious sects was taken to a new level. Right when Hussein gained full power, under his control, began years of persecution of the Shiite Muslims in the country. But, before this happened, the conflict was based upon Muhammad and who was to rule after he had died. When Muhammad had died there were many disputes on who sho uld succeed the Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632. Shiites believed that the prophet’s son-in-law, Ali, was to be the successor. Both consider the Koran the word of God. But, devoutness and religious practice distinguish between the two sects. However, Islam teaches that all Islam is equal so Sunni and Shiite sects fight with each other not only because of â€Å"hatred† but, also because of religiousShow MoreRelatedThe Modern Age Of Islam1179 Words   |  5 Pagesreligion, with neither answer showing a complete, absolute advantage over the other. This is shown through Atta Turk completely removing Islam out of the newly formed Turkish society, the Baath Party’s secular ideology while still committing massacre, and Hezbollah using a radicalized form of religion to gain political strength. The beginning of the modern age of Islam can be marked with Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt and the subsequent conquest by Britain. This defeat indicated to the leaders of the IslamicRead MoreA Satirical Article On Cultural Relativism Essay1617 Words   |  7 Pagesin which the views of the world are diverse depending on different cultural perspectives. Charlie Hebdo is a satirical weekly newspaper, it takes contentious world issues such as religion and politics and holds them up to the world with the intent to disgrace individuals, cooperation’s and society in order to get them to improve. Due to its almost antagonistic manner it was a successful target of a ‘terrorist attack’. Two armed gunmen stormed the office and killed eleven members of staff claimingRead MoreThe Philosophy And Philosophy Of Ibn Al- à ¸ Arab Æ’â„ ¢765 Words   |  4 Pagesthe book is to focus on potential similarities found in epistemological hierarchies of Ibn al-Ê ¿ArabÄ « (d. 1240) and Ibn Taymiyya (d. 1328), and reflections of these similarities on their theologies. At the first part of the book, which comprises of two chapters, I examine revelation, the human intellect, and inspiration-unveiling as epistemological means used by both Ibn al-Ê ¿ArabÄ « and Ibn Taymiyya. Both of them claim to have followed precisely the Quran and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad when religiousRead MoreSimilarities between Beliefs and Philosophies from the World1637 Words   |  7 Pagesreligion was of trade and missionaries. QUESTION: What are the various beliefs held in my community and how do they influence an individual on a minor and a major scale plus what happens when ideologies clash? What are the solutions? International Perspectives: Different belief systems: Belief systems are influenced by the different stories, legends, myths etc. Beliefs differ from place to place, for example majority of the world is dominated by Christians in the Americas and Europe; Muslims dominateRead MoreIslam And Christianity Comparative Religious Study1727 Words   |  7 PagesIslam and Christianity Comparative Religious Study Katelyn Vick B. Thornell NCGP 10 October 2014 â€Æ' Katelyn Vick Bethany Thornell AP Language Composition 10 October 2014 Islam and Christianity Comparative Religious Study Islam and Christianity are significantly different religions with its followers holding many opposing views and theories. Therefore, most find it somewhat challenging to acknowledge any common morals or similarities between Christianity and Islam. Through the comparative studyRead MoreCultural Differences Between India and Pakistan Essay901 Words   |  4 Pagessituation that is between the two countries and how it might have been resolved peacefully. A closer look at both India and Pakistan reveals several similarities between the two countries such as their facial and skin features and attributes. However, one of the most defining cultural differences between both countries is that they house two very different ethnicities. Arabs and Indians are two very different kinds of people with different cultures and different perspectives concerning life. The ArabRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X Is A National Bestseller1657 Words   |  7 PagesThe Autobiography of Malcolm X is a national bestseller pinpointing Malcolm X’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X expresses the journey he took to become the momentous leader he is known as today, and tells the personal reasoning behind his movement. Alex Haley assisted Malcolm X in his writing, and together they produced a masterpiece. This book appeals to those interested in social justice and reform, as well as religion and spiritual enli ghtenment. TheRead MoreDomestic American Terrorism1780 Words   |  7 PagesState borders. The United States has strangely used a near Catch-22 to handle dilemmas. The United States has allowed perspective to become reality, whether with oneself or regarding issues abroad, specifically in the Middle East. Terrorism is the use or threat of fear for political or economical gain. An internal characteristic of terrorism is how dependent it is of perspective, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. To understand â€Å"terrorism,† a focus must be applied to the historyRead MoreThe Biblical Cosmogony Is Based On The Provisions Of Genesis1282 Words   |  6 Pagesscientific views such as evolution theories because it suggests that God created everything by word of mouth and the work of his hands. The religious creation theory is the foundation of major spiritual convictions, which include Christianity, Judaic and Islam (Blumenthal 1). According to the Christian bible, creation was done in six days contradicting the scientific view that organisms develop over long periods of time. Similarly, the holy Quran used by Muslims describes Allah (GOD) as the sole creatorRead MorePersepolis by Marjane Satrapi970 Words   |  4 Pagesone during the Islamic revolution, it created a rift between Islamic fundamentalists and citizens who believed in a more modern practice of Islam, one in which civil liberties would not be infringed on by the Islamic theocracy. This plays into Satrapi’s depiction of the political landscape as one partly characterized by suppression and conflict between opposing sides in the revolution. From the very beginning of the novel to the conclusion, she demonstrates traces of suppression brought on by the

Friday, December 13, 2019

Did School Helped in Covering Up the Crime Free Essays

In my assessment of the facts, I believe that Eastern Michigan University did not intentionally covered-up the death of Laura Dickinson. Though the Clery Act requires schools to report any crimes and other threats to safety to students, it ignores such law because it lacked clear decision as to what to do with the incident (Goldman). Aside from that, it is beyond doubt that the school failed in initiating investigation on the incident. We will write a custom essay sample on Did School Helped in Covering Up the Crime or any similar topic only for you Order Now The tragic incident may also have distracted the school administrator as to what really happened to Laura until the body cannot be revealed to the students. Apart from that, the school may have feared that announcing the death of Laura may disturb their investigation and may create fear among students that they cannot control. The incident may have been perceived by the school as a threat to the peace within the school. Furthermore, the incident may have happened the first time and it is not prepared and lacked the proper guidelines in responding to such incident. It would also be unfair to conclude that the incident was covered- up because the school did not hid the body. If it was the school’s intention to cover-up the incident, it could have done anything that would disallow anyone from discovering it. Besides, the school made a statement after ten days. Thereafter, informed Laura’s parents after ten weeks. Ten weeks may be considered to be unreasonable for the school to finally decide in revealing the truth but it may be considered only as a negligence and indecisiveness on their part. The school may have feared losing its reputation once the incident is fully made known in public and may have been confused about the privacy of the people concerned. Aside from failing to report the incident, there are no other circumstances that would strongly determine that the school tried to hide the incident from the students and the public as well. Furthermore, the school may have been ignorant about the consequences of its act. Hence, the school did not intentionally covered-up the incident. How to cite Did School Helped in Covering Up the Crime, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Women free essay sample

Granny writing to you to Inform you of how we did things In 1920. Things such as clothing, fashion and how It changed things for good. Hope things are going well with you, at the same time there were many things that I adopted to the change as well as others getting the fashion change. You will not believe how sexual activity and other social interaction changed as well; it has a lot to do with how you made it here to be my lovely DARPA.The magazines and movies played a very big part of shaping up things for us as ladies. Our clothing developed a closer relationship to art by the end of the First World War (the roaring sis). We simply would put together elegant designs with fabrics. We would coordinate outfits with hats, shoes, stockings, handbags and jewelry. That wouldnt look good in black and white photographs. The Dresses worn were shorter than the ones worn before 1920. Some women were there stocking more visible than others, they were being made with designs to match outfits as well.Now DARPA your granny wanted to be a part of the changes that were going on but your late great father would allow those types of changes under his roof. Some of the girls I would often hang out with truly didnt understand his reasoning, neither did l. The sexual activeness as well as other social interaction increased in the (1920), with the use of automobiles. There were young girls as young as 1 6 that would sneak out of the house climbing down from their bedroom window not trying to wake up their parents. In the cars there were couples that would be found by the police having sex.Keep in mind that in the cities this was hipping more so it grew rapidly. A term came about in which we call prostitution, this Is where a person would have sex In return for money. So with all that said In some states there was a law that was put In place for couples not to kiss In public. In some dance halls you couldnt even dance up close. There were people thrown in Jail for violating these laws. So for us being a woman was a complex balance between respect and freedom circumscribed our social and economic world. Women were cutting their hair into bob shaped, just fit in the era of the flapper.This emerged in 1926 to value the pushing lines of our sexuality. As you may know your grandfather my dad wasnt going for this look either It was a change that he TLD allow under his roof. Although my mother went ahead a cut my hair anyway it caused so much drama in our home. The neighbors thought I was a family member visiting and ask my father about me when he came home from work one evening and he told them he didnt know who they were talking about so he came inside and there I was sitting in the television. My father was so mad he made he my mother didnt talk for a week.That was the last time Id ever go behind his back again. All this happened for a reason later that year we were headed to a major changed we a ladles wanted to do a just as much as the males could do. We wanted to voted, by land and work just like he men did. So we came into a prohibition, this was approved by 36 states; the Amendment was signed on January 16, 1920. This was put into play to help protect women and children from alcoholism. There were people that believed that women were the mall cause of thing going this way. Women were drinking, hanging out with were married.A prohibition law was passed to help out America for many of these things. So the government decided to pass laws on (PDA). This soon fails so they came out with an Anti-prohibition law. This was for those people who were against the prohibition law. There were people that didnt think all these new changes that ere going on werent that bad. They even were thinking that drinking was a respectable thing to do in some cases. Some the ads that I remember are Black Jack gum (Good for the throat), Old North State Cigarettes, Edgerton. (http:// www. Youth. Com/watch? =Xenophobia) The roles that movies favored was pretty much for entrainment, leisure time it also showed new styles and was to live. The magazines played a major role of keeping up to date on the styles that were out, so they would be the first ones to wear in the public eye. Magazines also contain advertising products such as vacuums that would do twice the work, the ads would ell if you get this you want be bored. After finding out all this information these women were buying swimsuits, more beauty products and more shoes, in which sowed toes, strapless, and heals out. Most women would look forward to sportswear at a younger age along with radio broadcasting songs about womens needs and wants. The magazines contained pictures of clothes showing a little more than what we should show as the women are to be. Jazz was on the best role models for the sass it was the hottest thing from (1920-1923). The radios played Jazz music on the regular in 1926; artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Elongating, and Paul Godsons and your grandfathers favorite.This new music genre was not only recognized as a fashion but as entertainment. The largest change that I encountered was when Henry Ford Created the Automobile. It brought about a lot of Americans buying cars which leaded to the government having to build more roads and it caused Florida to cut into the glaciers which also brought about tsunamis. In the year of 1929 (Black Tuesday) the stock market crashed, and the countrys like for Jazz is over. But the stock market had little to do with the economy since very few people owned stocks and securities.It certainly help provoke help of the nations banking system, due to bank failures, there was a rash of personal bankruptcies and evictions. And since the banks were about to crash anyway but a large number of fames and workers were not able to buy goods that were needed as well as pay off loans that were overdue. So the UN-bought goods stayed on the shelves, causing numerous numbers of people to lose their Jobs. So with all that information I Just gave you my DARPA. I hope that you may have learned and be able to teach girls and women about being a lady. Love Granny!!!

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Black Death Muslim and Christian Responses free essay sample

Imagine yourself alone on a street corner, coughing up bloody mucous each time you exhale. You are gasping for a full breath of air, but realizing that is not possible, you give up your fight to stay alive. Youre thinking why is this happening to me? That is how the victims of the Black Death felt. In five short years, the plague killed between 25 and 45% of the populations it encountered. So how different were the Christian and Muslim responses? In 1348 Christians who were followers of Jesus Christ and Muslims who followed the teachings of Muhammad came face to face with the Black Death. In truth, Muslims and Christians responded in many different ways. Even the way the blamed others for the cause of the plague and religious views about the disease were very much different. In a similar manner both religions acted completely out the norm, they basically set aside their spiritual beliefs for a moment. We will write a custom essay sample on Black Death Muslim and Christian Responses or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page One of the similar responses between the Muslims and Christians were acting out of the ordinary. According to document five both religions were finding non-religious alternatives to prevent the Black Death. In some cases, the Christians would try to sleeping on their backs to prevent the plague, while the Muslims would even avoid going outside. In addition they both drank a solution of Armenian clay to cleanse the body and built fires hoping that this would purify the contaminated air. Based on document nine both the religions united together to pray and they went back to their religious ways. These documents prove that each religion in some cases stepped out their religious backgrounds to try to prevent the Black Death. Religious views played a big part on the different ways the Christians and Muslims responded to the Black Death. The Christians basically thought the plague was their fault. They believe that they’re being punished for their sins they’ve imputed against God. On the other hand the Muslims are taking the plague lightly. They believe that â€Å"a Muslim should devoutly accept the divine act. The Muslims also believe that this occurrence is a blessing from God. In addition document two explains the Black Death Mortality by comparing each religions death rate. The mortality estimate Phillip Ziegler calculated for the Muslims shows that about 33% of the Middle Eastern population have deceased. While the Christian population in Europe mortality rate was only 31%. This document proves that the Muslims population decreased greater than the Christians. During the era of the Black Plague, the Christian community held a lood-thirsty lead hand in the fact of the matter, while the Islam society didn’t blame the epidemic on others and or try to solve the rampant disease with violence. According to document seven the Christians blamed the Jews for causing the Black Death; they believe the Jews poisoned the wells. The Muslims didn’t blame anyone for the occurrence of the Black Death, based on document ten. This proves that the Muslims believed that the plague was meant to happen, like document four said, â€Å"the plague is a blessing from God. †

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Early History of Japan The Battle for the Surrendered Realm

Early History of Japan The Battle for the Surrendered Realm Identifications The battle of Sekigahara, also called â€Å"The Battle for the Surrendered Realm† took place in the early 17th century. Sekigahara was the gate or passage between The East and West of Japan. It was believed that whoever had jurisdiction over this portion ran the whole of Japan.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Early History of Japan: The Battle for the Surrendered Realm specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The battle of Sekigahara is generally referred to as the last of the major conflicts of the Azuchi–Momoyama period. On 21st October 1600, it was decisive in clearing the path to the shogunate for Tokaguwa. It is after this battle that the Japanese people enjoyed a two hundred and fifty year period of peace (Bohner 283). The warring states period, also referred to as the Sengoku period in the history of Japan was a period of political intrigue, social upheaval and an almost constant military conflict which roughly lasted from the mid 15th century to the early 17th century. At the beginning of the 5th century, misery and suffering that had been caused by natural disasters, such as famines and earthquakes triggered armed rebellion by farmers who were weary of taxes and debts. This led to the Onin war that was rooted in the economic distress brought about by shogunal succession disputes. This is how the warring states period began. The eastern and western armies and their allies fought around Kyoto for 11 years then it later spread to the outlying provinces. This period eventually led to political power unification under the Tokugawa Shogunate. The floating world, also referred to as Ukiyo is a term that was used to describe the aspect of seeking for pleasure in the urban lifestyle in the Tokugawa or Edo-period Japan. This was between 1600 and 1867, the 250 years that Japan enjoyed relative peace. The culture of the floating world developed in the red light district of Ed o called Yoshiwara. In this location were many brothels, kabuki theaters and chashitsu tea houses, which were visited frequently by the growing middleclass population of Japan. This culture spread to other cities including Kyoto and Osaka (Lockard 543).Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Kabuki is a Japanese classical dance drama performed in Kabuki theatres. It is defined as the art of dancing and singing. It is characterized by a unique elaborate make up put on by its performers and drama stylization. It was created around 1600 by a shrine maiden called Okuni, from Izumo shrine. In the early days, it was comprised of dances performed by women, most of who were prostitutes off stage. This is the reason that women were banned by the government, as an effort to protect public morals. The Treaty of Kanagawa is the agreement that was signed on March 31st 1854 by Commodore Perry in Tok yo after a period of discussions between the United States’ president Millard Fillmore and Japanese officials. The terms of the treaty involved the protection the protection of American seamen by Japan. It also involved the opening of two ports, Shimoda and Hokodate for provisioning and fuelling of American ships. Japan also granted the United States permission to appoint its consuls, who could live in the port cities. The treaty of Kanagawa consequently led to Japan opening up to carry out trades with the United States of America and the West, after over two hundred years of closure. Tokugawa Japan The Tokugawa shoguns dominated the Edo period, which saw Japan enjoy two hundred and fifty years of peace. This was after the warring states period and Tokugawa Ieyasu was in power and had been granted the Shogun status. Ieyasu and his descendants adapted policies which ensured political and social order, as well as order in international relations. Most of the local territorial l ords (daimyos) were politically united during the Tokugawa period. This prompted the application of the peace and unification policy. In order to weaken the daimyos’ political force, they were forced to spend half of their duty time in Edo. This enabled the Tokugawa to keep a close watch over them, to understand both their plans and activities. The frequent up and down movement between Edo and the daimyo’s home territories was a Tokugawa strategy. It put an enormous financial strain on the daimyo, making them no match to the Tokugawa allies. It also distorted their focus on building a large military. To weaken them further, the daimyos were prohibited from building ships and castles. These reasons were instrumental for bringing and maintaining peace in Japan.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Early History of Japan: The Battle for the Surrendered Realm specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A strict seclusion policy in Tokugawa was enforced. This targeted the Christian missionaries, whom the Shogunate was against because he considered Christianity to be destabilizing and it made the new central leaders of Japan uneasy. They feared that increased loyalty to a foreign based church and religion could pose a threat to their leadership (Deal 13). Strict social reforms were also enforced by Tokugawa. This was done by the creating of a rigid caste system of peasants, samurais and merchants. Among these groups, the samurais were the only ones that were allowed to carry weapons. This was a caste that no one else would change. The Tokugawa Shogunate enforced a policy by the name Kaikin, which prohibited Japan’s contact with most of the other outside countries. His limited the influence and interference of the outside world to the Japanese culture and cultural beliefs (Laver 1). During Tokugawa, there was a significant development in Japan. There was the development of castle towns, thriving cities and an increase in commoditization in agriculture. Groundwork for modernization was laid through an increase in concomitant print culture and increase in literacy. Japan In Turmoil American Commodore Matthew Perry sailed his four ships up to the Tokyo bay harbor with the aim of seeking a re-establishment of regular trade with America. This was the fist time after more than two hundred years that Japan had prohibited trade between itself and the western world. Initially, Perry sailed to the Bonin and Ryukyus islands located southeast and southwest of the main islands of Japan. This step enabled him gain territory for the United States of America and seek help from the natives of these two islands. After the Ryukyus and Bonin islands, he sailed northwards to Edo bay. With him was a letter from the president of the United States addressed to the Japanese emperor. Addressing the letter to the emperor demonstrated the United States’ lack of knowledge on the government and society of Japan. During that time, the leadership of Japan was under the Tokugawa Shogunate, ad the emperor’s power was insignificant.Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to the US Department of State article titled The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853, Perry’s arrival in the Japanese waters with a squadron of U.S navy ships was aimed at displaying America’s willingness to use its advanced firepower. This, they believed, was the only way they could convince the Japanese authorities to accept trade with the western nations. Perry also carried along wit him various gifts for the Emperor in Japan. The gifts included a telescope, a telegraph a working steam locomotive model and a variety of liquors from the west. These gifts were intended to show Japan the superiority of the western culture. Perry’s mission was to complete the agreement of the United States with the Government of Japan for the protection of stranded or shipwrecked Americans. In addition to this, one or more ports for supplies and refueling were to be opened. Perry’s display of audacity and the readiness of using force in the approach into Tokyo’s forbidden waters prompted the Japanese authorities to accept President Fillmore’s letter. Perry retuned the following spring to receive Japan’s answer, with an even bigger squadron. The Japanese grudgingly accepted his demands and it is then that the Kanagwa treaty was signed. This treaty prompted the opening up of Japan to trade with the other western countries. Despite the reluctance displayed by Japan in opening its ports to the modern trade, the trade gave Japan an access to modern technological development. When it opened up to the world, Japan was able to modernize its military by obtaining more advanced equipment. This enabled it to rise into the strongest Asian power in the pacific. The forcing of Japan by America ad other western powers to indulge into modern commercial interactions worked alongside other internal factors to weaken Tokugawa Shogunate’s position to a point that led to the shogun falling out of power. Thus, the emperor gai ned control of the country in the 1868 Meiji restoration. This was followed by long term effects in the modernization and rule in Japan. Bohner, Hermann. â€Å"The Battle of Sekigahara.† libweb. Libweb. Web. Deal, William. Handbook to life in medieval and early modern Japan. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print. Laver, Michael. The Sakoku Edicts and the Politics of Tokugawa Hegemony. New York: Cambria Press, 2011. Print. Lockard, Craig. Lockards Societies, Networks, and Transitions since 1450: A Global History. Massachusetts: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print. U.S. Department of State. â€Å"The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853.† U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. Web.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE PROJECT (NY) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE PROJECT (NY) - Essay Example Construction of the bridges commenced in 1929. The total cost of constructing the bridge was announced to be more than $60 million, exceeding that of the Hoover Dam. The bridge was officially opened on July 11, 1936. Triborough Bridge Project is officially referred to as Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. The bridge carries 8 lanes of 278 I-278 and 6 lanes of NY 900G. The bridge is designed as a suspension, lift and truss bridge. The total length of the bridge comprises of three spans: 2,780 feet, 770 feet and 1,600 feet through Queens, Manhattan, and Bronx respectively. Constructors used both hand tools and specialised tools and equipment for constructing the complex bridge. Similarly, both specialised engineers and unskilled manpower was critical for the project completion. Among the methods that were used for constructing the bridge include balanced cantilever, incremental launching, advanced shoring, and heavy lifting. If the bridge was to be built, the constructors would consider building the roofing for protecting pedestrians and cyclists from hot sunshine and