How did developments in the Balkans lead to the outbreak of the war?

What was the role of Serbia? Austria? Russia? What was the aim of German policy in July 1914? Did Germany want a general war? The Balkans is the historic name given to the states in southeastern Europe. Only five states in the Balkans were free from being ruled by Turkey. The people that lived in these areas were considered Slavs. Once Turkey stopped ruling these five states, they wanted to save the remaining states under Turkish rule. The movement was called the Pan-Slavism movement. This movement wanted to unite all of the Slavs including Russia, and break down Turkey and Austria-Hungary. Because Austria wanted to disable the movements of Slavs, they annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Balkan Wars prepared the way for World War I by satisfying some of the aspirations of Serbia and thereby giving a great impetus to the Serbian desire to annex parts of Austria-Hungary; by alarming Austria and stiffening Austrian resolution to crush Serbia; and by giving causes of dissatisfaction to Bulgaria and Turkey (â€Å"Balkan Wars† 2007) In July 1914, Germany sought war and started what we called now the World War I. The German policy at that tome was centered on the following: a. )illustrating Russia as the aggressor, b. an Austrian ultimatum to Serbia had to be designed to preclude a negotiated settlement, c. ) Italy had to be convinced to join the German side through whatever means and d.) as many secret military measures as possible had to be taken to facilitate mobilization once it was announced. Generally, Germany with its goals was evidently setting the stage for a successful general war (Copeland 2001 pp. 85-87). 2. Assess the settlement of Versailles. What were its good points? Bad points? Was the peace too harsh or too conciliatory? Could it have ensured peace in Europe? How might it have been improved? The Treaty of Versailles seemed to satisfy only the â€Å"Big Three† which are Britain, France and America. For France, it appeared as if Germany had been smashed; for Britain, it was satisfied that enough of Germany's power had been left to act as a buffer to communist expansion from Russia ; and for America, it was just happy that the proceedings were over. They kept Germany weak yet strong enough to stop the spread of communism. They kept the French border safe from another German attack and created the organization, the League of Nations, whose was to end warfare throughout the world. However, it left a mood of anger throughout Germany as it was felt that as a nation Germany had been unfairly treated. Above all else, Germany hated the clause blaming them for the cause of the war and the resultant financial penalties the treaty was bound to impose on Germany. Those who signed it became known as the â€Å"November Criminals†. Many German citizens felt that they were being punished for the mistakes of the German government in August 1914 as it was the government that had declared war not the people. On the other hand, the Treaty of Versailles brought forth peace settlements to materialize all over Europe particularly in Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey. But because of the harsh conditions of the treaty, Germany's acceptance of the provisions did not last. In 1933, Hitler refused to pay the reparations. This instigated the rise of power of the Nazis (Trueman 2008). 3. Discuss France’s foreign policy problems after the Versailles Treaty. By what means could it best obtain security? Was the invasion of the Ruhr wise? Should France have signed the Locarno pact? Should it have made an alliance with Soviet Russia? French defense policy right through the inter-war decades (1919–39) was consistently defensive and non-aggressive – consistent with France’s status as a territorially satisfied ‘status quo’ power. The Versailles Treaty caused a financial imperative in which dominated France's foreign policy through-out the twenties, leading to the 1923 occupation of the Ruhr in order to force Germany to pay the reparations required under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The occupation of the Ruhr led to a collapse of the German economy. There was massive inflation and large increase in unemployment. Germany was unable to pay, and obtained support from the United States. Thus, the Dawes Plan was negotiated after President Raymond Poincare's occupation of the Ruhr, and then the Young Plan in 1929. The French occupation of the Ruhr had swung German opinion to the Right. It encouraged Hitler and his Fascists in Bavaria that somehow led to World War II (Price, 1969). More so, French pursuit of economic cooperation with Germany from 1919-1922 was perceived as â€Å"an initial stage† of â€Å"an important strain – in some respects the dominant strain–in France’s postwar foreign policy† (Blatt, 2001). Meanwhile, the Locarno pact led to the improvement of the relationship between France and Germany wherein series of treaties of mutual guarantee and arbitration were signed that guaranteed the common boundaries of Belgium, France, and Germany as specified in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 (â€Å"Locorno Pact, 2007). Furthermore, France’s leaders were aware, however, that she could not defeat Germany alone. Therefore, French foreign and defense policy in 1936–39 was heavily determined by a quest for a firm British commitment to underwrite French security. This, however, was not obtained until February 1939. Another problem was the French need to find a counterweight to Germany in Eastern Europe. This had traditionally been Russia (through the Franco-Russian alliance of 1894). That union had foundered, however, on the ideological hostility of French political conservatives to Russia’s Bolshevik regime after 1917. This diplomatic problem was compounded by geo-politics: Russia had no common frontier with Germany after the territorial adjustments of 1919 had re-created Poland. Thus, even the French Left’s desire for an updated Franco-Russian (Franco-Soviet) defensive alliance was not self-evidently the answer to France’s strategic exposure, if faced by further German aggression as seen in 1914 (Evans &Godin. 2004). 4. How was Hitler able to defeat France so easily in 1940? Why was the air war against Britain a failure? Why did Hitler invade Russia? Why did the invasion fail? Could it have succeeded? Hitler was able to swiftly defeat France because of the German's strategic boldness and operational dash. Actually, the French forces could have been able to fight the German offensive that opened on 10 May 1940 to a standstill because they have more superior design and more combat capabilities. But because the forces were deployed all over France, their defenses were easily breached. However, the air strikes of Germany in Great Britain did not experience the same victory as it had with its first conquest. There were several reasons for this defeat of Hitler, including the superiority of the British Spitfire over German fighters and limited fuel supply. The main factor that caused the German's strategy. In the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe concentrated on attacking the British air fields. Despite British superiority in aerial combat, their air fields were being steadily degraded and were damaged. If the Germans kept were able to constantly attacked the British air fields, the would have gained the upper hand in the battle. But Hitler's order of attacking British cities, to terrorize the British people into submission have caused the British air force's to secure their air fields and gain tactical advantages. â€Å"The Beginning of World War II†). Hitler suffered a major military and political problem in his quest for the invasion of Britain. He was dubious about his own plan. The ideological reason why Hitler was not fully committed to invading Britain was for him, it would have been a distraction. Britain contained neither the space, nor the raw materials, that he believed the new German Empire needed. But for Hitler's po int of view, there was an alternative to invading Britain: he could invade the Soviet Union. Both Hitler and his military planners knew that Germany's best chance of victory was for the war in Europe to be finished swiftly (Rees, 2001, p. 1). At first, the Soviet invasion was successful because of their German Blitzkrieg technique that cause annihilation in Russia (Rees, 2001, p. 2). The tables were turned when Hitler set in motion one of the bitterest conflicts of the 20th century – the Battle of Stalingrad. In the spring of 1942, he launched a two-pronged attack. The ferocity of the fighting at Stalingrad shocked the Germans, who were used to the relative ease of their Blitzkrieg tactics (Rees, 2001, p. ). The Germans could not have won the battle because Stalin did everything he could to prove to the Germans that they will not back down from the German's power. He utilized every Soviet to defend their territory. 5. Trace the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. How important was Gorbachev in transforming the political and economic atmosphere of the Soviet Union? Why did he fail? How did things change under Boris Yeltsin? What problems still face Russia today? On the night of November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall—the most potent symbol of the cold-war division of Europe—came down. The collapse of the Berlin Wall was the culminating point of the revolutionary changes sweeping East Central Europe in 1989. Throughout the Soviet bloc, reformers assumed power and ended over 40 years of dictatorial Communist rule which was called the â€Å"Revolutionary Wave† that started in Poland followed through by Czechoslovakia, Romania and other eastern European countries. In 1985, the assumption of power in the Soviet Union by a reformer, Mikhail Gorbachev, paved the way for political and economic reforms in East Central Europe. Gorbachev abandoned the â€Å"Brezhnev Doctrine† — the Soviet Union’s policy of intervening with military force, if necessary, to preserve Communist rule in the region. Instead, he encouraged the local Communist leaders to seek new ways of gaining popular support for their rule (â€Å"Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, 1989†). However, Gorbachev's â€Å"balancing act† between reform and hard-line Communist forces within the Soviet Union helped create a power vacuum which unleashed forces that destroyed the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union from within. Ultimately, Gorbachev’s failure to lead and inability to act decisively brought about his own downfall(â€Å"Tear Down This Wall: The Fall of Soviet Communism in Central and Eastern Europe,† 2008). After the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union, Boris Yeltsin became the freely elected leader of Russia. During his term, there was incoherence in the party and Yeltsin had a debilitated hold on the Russian people. His leadership was erratic and often crude, and the democrat often ruled in the manner of a czar. He showed no reluctance to use the power of the presidency to face down his opponents, as he did in a showdown in 1993 when he ordered tanks to fire on the parliament, dominated by openly seditious Communists, and in 1994 when he embarked upon a harsh military operation to subdue the breakaway republic of Chechnya. That costly and ruinous war almost became his undoing, and it flared ferociously back to life in 1999, continuing to rage long after his resignation (Berger, 2007, p. 1). Generally, modern Russia is still experiencing an economic crisis and many social problems caused by costly mistakes committed by their leaders. There is a large number of unemployment that resulted millions of Russians to live in poverty. With this kind of living condition, Russian are incline to have short life expectancy (â€Å"Troubled Times – political, economic and social problems in Russia† 1999). 6. How do you account for the continued vitality of Christianity in a secular age? What role should the church play in the modern world? Should it involve itself with the political affairs of the world? In this regard, discuss John Paul II’s papacy. Will Church and State come into conflict again? The Church is a living community, lay and ecclesiastical, dedicated to the moral and spiritual education of its followers and the whole modern Western society in general. The Church is one of the great transmitters and mediators of the whole moral and spiritual wealth of the past into the present-day world, a mission which transcends sectarian divisions and particular formal moral and theological beliefs. Its teaching mission calls for not merely preserving the ideals and beauties of the past, but vigorously translating them into an idiom for the modern world . For centuries the Church has exerted a profound and incalculable spiritual and cultural influence in many parts of the world, helping to shape men's minds, and the motives which govern their actions. In terms of meddling in political affairs, the Church has the role of peacemaker. A number of religious leaders particularly the Pope encourage a more favorable climate for the peaceful diplomatic settlement of disputes. A Pope can use its moral prestige to mobilize public opinion in behalf of peace and its diplomatic apparatus to encourage conciliation (Rostow, 1968). This role is clearly seen during the papacy of Pope John Paul II from 1978 to 2005. During his term, he had met with various political leaders such as Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat and Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union. He facilitated these talks to ensure that these leaders are not abusing their power and most importantly that they are doing their jobs to protect and serve their constituents. However, the Church should not push further its participation with political matters so as not to aggravate these political leaders. The Church should act as facilitators of peace and order and not as implementors because that is the role of the government. Doing the latter would mean that Church is bypassing the function of the government that would eventually lead to a conflict. In simpler terms, the Church deals with the eternal order that pertains to eternal salvation while the State deals with the temporal order, which is concerned with the here and now, the material well-being of citizens (â€Å"The Role of the Church in Society† 2007).

Explore the potential problems and issues that an organization would Essay

Explore the potential problems and issues that an organization would need to consider when re-sourcing requirements back to thei - Essay Example In recent years however, the benefits of outsourcing have decreased due to increasing costs of production in Asia, long-lead times, poor communication with Asian countries, large quantities for minimum orders, as well as poor quality of products (Green, 2013). Due to these issues, outsourcing countries have made attempts to re-source their production back to their home countries. Undoubtedly, major challenges are foreseen in on-shoring or re-sourcing, not the least of which involves loss of profits, which to any business is always problematic (Green, 2013). Still, businesses have gradually initiated efforts to re-source their production to their home countries mostly because they believe it would be the better option for them in the long run. This paper shall now explore the potential problems and issues than an organization would need to consider when re-sourcing requirements back to their home country and how these potential problems might be addressed or mitigated by the procureme nt function. Body There are different problems which have and will likely emerge for businesses seeking to re-source or in-source their production processes. ... This would imply the importance of some elements of IT skill in the related area, alongside an effective population having the right attitude to flourish in careers related to IT (Williams, 2012). The location need not be in the cities or metropolitan areas, but an area which is still big enough to support the logistics of its production processes. The chosen area must also be low-cost (Qu, et.al., 2010). In general, areas which are the most efficient sources of modern technology have become very expensive areas to reside in; as such, wages for these areas are also expectantly higher than other areas. Under these conditions, it would be difficult for the businesses seeking to establish new re-sourcing areas to achieve profitability without having to sacrifice either the availability of the best technology or the lower wages of the employees (Hirscheim, 2000). The importance of securing an educational system which is responsive to the needs of the industry is also a challenge for thes e businesses. A significant decrease in IT graduates has been observed in the past decade and some areas have even eliminated IT education from their curriculum. The challenge for these corporations would be to revive the enthusiasm of the young population in order to be more responsive to the needs of these businesses and to work out technology issues (Williams, 2012). General Motors has recently considered relevant moves in order to secure insourcing of elements of its production process, mostly bringing back work to Austin, Texas (Thibodeau, 2012). Its insourcing move was however very much challenged with the limited relevant skills needed from its new employees

Project Management Degree Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Project Management Degree - Assignment Example Therefore, the shop must look towards expanding its team of employees and creating a website that is comprehensive in terms of the details of products, purchase catalogue, and the like. The business, in its process of expansion, can include at least ten work packages, in order to breakdown the work into smaller areas of concentration. The business expansion can be broken down under these categories: The expansion of the inventory, which means the stock of each product must be expanded, in order to cater to the demand of the international market. The product quality, besides the indigenous tint needs to be maintained for an ethnic yet qualitative touch. The development of role of IT, in promoting the business. This needs to be done, keeping in view the revolution fo the internet and how e-communication sit he answer to distance-related woes! The expansion of the staff also needs to be done, by employing more professionals, to keep up the expansion plan and also to introduce more specialisation in the varied departments of the business. Physical expansion, in other words, the setting up of small offices in some important cities in regions in Asia and the United States, can be of great help in handling business in the areas. The laying down of a Product Catalogue, with the price list, by converting the currencies according to local currencies; and related operations need to be performed for better productivity. The business also needs to think about appointing local staff, in order to facilitate better penetration in local markets, across the globe. Risk Management is another area of working that needs concentration. A SWOT Analysis of the risks involved and the competencies possessed by the business to face these risks, is a must. Garnering knowledge of the markets and making the business alter according to these specifications. 3. Three work packages specifications. Environment: This is a crucial element that often affects work packages. The environment of operation of business must be altered according to the changing place of operation, to suit local markets. Human Factors: The human resources need to be managed, utilised according to needs and also channelized in the right direction, in order to cater to the demands of the busines

HISTORICAL THEORISTS LETTERRole of the Teacher Assignment

HISTORICAL THEORISTS LETTERRole of the Teacher - Assignment Example Most American schools have a sense of American culture that may at times shock immigrant children. This is due to the constant cultural shifts they experience in the course of transitioning from school to home. Each culture upholds its own set of values that act as driving forces of the people in that particular culture. What happens when two contrasting cultures collide in the lives of these youth? The end result of such a scenario is that they negate one culture and pledge themselves fully to the other. While this may seem an amicable solution, it is important to note that both cultures in this scenario have different roles that are equally important to children’s development. Amid such increasing pressure, children are likely to succumb to pressures of American culture due to their increased interaction with it and due to their friends’ influence. Unfortunately, the oppressed culture is depleted, together with the influence carried by its upholders, reducing parentsà ¢â‚¬â„¢ authority and control over their children. As such, the children delve into the perilous business of lacking sufficient life knowledge, making them ill-equipped to succeed. To avoid this, I have concluded that public schools need to â€Å"provide the beginnings of a wide, deep, and universal culture that allows a world class interpretation of parents and countrymen† (Addams). Secondly, it is quite obvious that the repercussions of such poor nurturing will be passed on to the next generation. For example, â€Å"I do not believe that children who have been cut off from their own parents will be those who, when they become parents themselves, will know how to connect the family together and to connect it with the state† (Addams). This is because they lack better methods of survival and sufficient knowledge to pass on, consequently creating an irresponsible and corrupt society. This scenario charges schools with the obligation to impart the necessary knowledge and skills to

United Nations Positive Role in Counter-Terrorist Policies Essay

United Nations Positive Role in Counter-Terrorist Policies - Essay Example These countries involved in those unilateral actions, even without the UN’s mandate, mainly to counter terrorism, or if, viewed from another perspective, in the guise of fighting terrorism. The UN despite this contemporary challenge of unilateralism is still relevant because these Western democracies themselves give that credibility (however quite belatedly) by involving the UN in the aftermath of the counter-terrorist actions. Apart from this role in various countries, the UN is optimally functioning and contributing as part of global development by involving themselves in various peacekeeping missions, humanitarian programs and other constructive processes. So, this paper will evaluate how the UN is playing a positive role in ensuring that the counter-terrorist policies of Western democracies do not hinder its global development aims. The UN was established after the Second World War as an overseeing international organization, which can prevent any more World Wars and also to take care of the basic issues concerning the world population. However, its spread and influence were restricted or kept at low levels due to the rise of ‘unipolarity’ in the form of American domination of world affairs. After the end of the Cold War, with Soviet Union’s disintegration, the U.S. became the sole superpower due to its military, economic and other strengths. This power status of U.S. started negatively affecting the functioning of the UN. The UN played its role with perfection in many circumstances but was made to ‘under perform’ by the U.S., making it irrelevant on few occasions. Western democracies have involved itself in various counter-terrorist actions all over the world. Although, in certain cases, it was unilateral, in other cases being a victim of terrorism, these countries carried out counter-terrorist activities with UN mandate.

Business Financing and the Capital Structure Assignment

Business Financing and the Capital Structure - Assignment Example The total cost of each resource has to be determined and summarized. On the basis of the summarized reports of cost of resources, a budget will be prepared by the finance and accounts department which would help the organization to determine next course of action (Summers, 2011, pp.2-11). Working Capital Management Proper working capital management is necessary to carry out day to day business operations. It is defined as the difference between current assets and liabilities. Thus, the objective of working capital management is to maintain a balance between current assets and liabilities. Positive difference or surplus funds can be used to make planned expenses such as payment of short term obligations and salaries. The working capital is negative or deficit when the current liabilities exceed current assets that would require the firms to borrow short term funds in order to manage the deficit (Ganesan, 2007, pp.1-2). When the working capital is positive, the firm would have surplus short term funds which can be invested in the money market instruments. The maturity of money market instruments are less than one year and hence investment in money market is less risky. This is because, the status of any business can be more or less accurately predicted in short term whereas the same becomes uncertain as the maturity increases due to increased chances of borrower to default. Some important money market financial instruments are discussed as follows: Commercial papers (CP) – They are issues by highly rated corporate entities and classified as short term unsecured promissory notes issued at discount and redeemed at face value. Certificate of Deposit (CD) – It is similar to ordinary time deposit differing only in maturity period and interest rates. They are issued by banks and the interest rates are generally higher than savings deposit rates. Municipal notes – Short term financial security issued by municipality in expectation of tax receipts as revenues. Treasury bills – They are debt instruments issued by the government whose maturity ranges from 3 to 12 months. Repurchase agreements – they are short term loans that are arranged by an investor to whom securities would be sold with an agreement to repurchase them back on a future date at pre-determined fixed rate. Thus, a corporate organization may park their excess generated from efficient working capital management in above discussed financial instruments that are liquid and used as marketable securities. Financial Instruments of Securities Market Every organization invests capital in business to finance its operations and generates goods and services to meet demands and earn profit. As the business expands its operations more funds are required to carry out business objectives. The financial sources may be broadly classified into equity and debt. Funds can be raised from these sources in the financial securities market. The securities market may be furthe r divided into primary or secondary securities market. In the primary securities market only those securities are issued that are participating in securities market for first time and the process is known as IPO (Initial Public offering). The secondary market is a place for traders who buy or sell differ securities.

Blighs Claims and Liabilities in Tort Case Study

Blighs Claims and Liabilities in Tort - Case Study Example Tort may include that this personal violation or wrong can be negligent or intentional such as battery or defamation of character. Torts can also be violations of personal property as well. Strictly speaking, torts are called civil wrongs as opposed to criminal wrongs. However, torts like battery can be both a tort and a crime and the defendant can face both civil and criminal penalties. Torts may be committed with force or without force to the person or to the property in possession. Tort laws have been enacted to provide relief for the damages incurred and deter others from committing the same injurious acts. Under most tort laws, a person can sue for an injunction to stop the continuation of an injurious act or for monetary damages. Under Tort law, a person can also sue for loss of earnings capacity, pain and suffering, and reasonable medical expenses in the present and projected into the future. Some of the more specific torts include trespass, assault & battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Tort liability fall into three categories: intentional, negligent and liability. (i) Negligence: Negligence is a tort which depends on the existence of a breach of duty of care owed by one person to another. In order to claim damages under 'negligence', the following conditions must have been satisfied. In the above case, the de... b) The defendant breached the duty of care c) Breach causing harm in fact d) The injury / loss was caused by the breach and damages need to be awarded e) Breach being a proximate or not too remote a cause, in law In the above case, the defendant Mr. Hood had negligently left the keys in the ignition, because of which, Mr. Fletcher took the cruiser without Mr. Hood's permission and hit Mr. Bligh's barge. This has resulted in damage to the property of Mr. Bligh. If Mr. Hood had properly locked it, and had not left the keys in the ignition itself, the damage wouldn't have happened. As such, 'negligence' has provided a cause of action against Mr. Hood. In Donoghue v. Stevenson's case , Mrs Donoghue could sue the manufacturer of Ginger Beer for negligence, since he had not exercised due care in checking the contents of Ginger Beer which had decomposed snail in it. (ii) Vicarious Liability: It is not sure whether Mr. Fletcher is an employee of Mr. Hood. If he is an employee of Mr. Hood, Mr. Bligh can claim damages from Mr. Hood under Vicarious liability as well. "Since his employee harmed the barge of Mr. Bligh in the course of his employment, he is required to bear responsibility for it. In one of the tort cases, the conductor of a bus drove the bus negligently and injured a pedestrian. The court ruled that the owner of that bus is liable for conductor's irresponsible act, since the accident happened during the course of employment. (iii) Intangible Economic Interests / Monitory loss: Because of the above act of Mr. Fletcher, the barge was damaged and took a day to repair. As a result, Mr. Bligh was unable to use it to carry on his transport business and lost a day's profit, there being no other barge available. Mr. Bligh, can claim the monitory loss