The Democratic Republic of Congo Research Paper

The Democratic Republic of Congo - Research Paper Example This paper is a critical evaluation of the country’s history, specifically, of the armed conflict which occurred between 1998 and 2003, as well as of the two most recent general elections that have been conducted in the country. The Second Congo War (1998-2003) The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a country which has had a share of civil conflicts, most importantly, the Second Congo War. This is a war that started in August 1998 and ended in 2003, and at which more than 5 million people lost their lives (Prunier, 2008). It is believed that a significant number of these victims died as a result of hunger and malnutrition as well as of diseases such as malaria and diarrhea among others. Some sources term this war as the African World War based on the fact that the fighting was not exclusively among the Congo people. It may be important to state that other countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, Sudan, Chad and Namibia were actively involved in this conflict, hen ce the reason why some refer it to as the African World War in comparison to WW1 and WW2 whereby different countries formed coalitions to support each other (Prunier, 2008). The root causes of this war were largely based on the events of the first Congo war (Turner, 2007). Zaire, as the country was previously called, was under the authoritarian rule of Mobutu Seseseko for the period between 1965 and 1997, and this had motivated the formation of rebel groups with the intent of overthrowing Mobutu. During this period, too, Rwanda, a neighboring country, experienced a genocide which resulted in the fleeing of members of the Hutu community into the then Zaire, who resided in refugee camps. These people were the prime targets of violence orchestrated by the Tutsis and after fleeing into Zaire, they formed rebel groups, especially Interahamwe, which continued to level attacks on Tutsis in Rwanda. Later, the Zairian forces joined hands with these militia groups to attack Tutsis in Zaire, a nd this compelled the Rwandan government to provide military aid to the antigovernment forces in Zaire in order to remove Mobutu from power, after which someone friendly to them would be installed as president so as to be able to crush the rebel groups (Prunier, 2008). This person happened to be Laurent Kabila, who had been in the forefront for a long time in the fight to remove Mobutu from power. On the other hand, Uganda was interested in the vast resources present in the country and therefore, they also wanted Mobutu to be out of the picture and to achieve this, they joined rebel forces and other politicians in a military campaign to overthrow the then government whose popularity, in the region, was dwindling day after day (Clark, 2002). In May 1997, Mobutu lost the battle and fled the country, after which Laurent Kabila declared himself as president and changed the country’s name from Zaire to DRC. However, after the successful removal of Mobutu from power, the Rwandan an d Ugandan forces remained in the country, which made it difficult for Kabila to exercise authority as president. This was made worse by the fact that Kabila’s government was full of Tutsis, whom he had appointed to senior positions such as the chief of staff, his personal secretary, and minister for foreign affairs among others. Due to internal pressure and his suspicion that the Rwandan gover

Creative Play Essay Example for Free

Creative Play Essay Creative development is provided within settings through role play, music, dance and messy activities. Creativity can stem to a range of other things to, such as problem solving, knowledge and understanding of the world, Personal social and emotional development and physical development. When creative activities are set out for children they can gain a great deal of satisfaction and it can increase the child’s confidence and self esteem. Children do not necessarily have an end product in mind but they may just want to explore and enjoy the creative materials they are using. Children are learning all the time and we as practitioners need to make learning fun and enjoyable. It is important that we provide enough opportunities for children to develop creatively we can do this by providing resources that they may not have access to at home and offering support in exploring these materials. As practitioners we are good observers and reflectors and should encourage children to reflect on their experiences to. From children’s reflections you can then look at where an activity should go next and how you can adapt that activity to support the individual child’s learning. Children can learn from as young as newborn. They begin to learn skills such as grasp, facial expression, textures, smells and sounds. The first sign of a child’s creativity begins with exploring sounds and listening to familiar voices around them. They may link these sounds to key people such as their parents, siblings, grandparents or carers. The process of a newborn is to become familiar with its surroundings and to sense a gain of belonging. They can gain this from bonding with its parents. As the child gets older they begin to learn new skills and have more opportunities in which they are able to explore. They become more inquisitive and like to have free flow of activities within the setting they are in and practitioners need to encourage them to explore the surroundings without taking charge of their play. For babies we offer opportunities for them to explore a wide range of materials and resources such as musical and light toys and natural ‘holistic’ objects such as brushes, wool, saucepans, utensils, wood, sponges and a range of different textured fabrics. Babies use the senses to acquire the skills of play they explore by using their hands and eyes. Children gradually learn to understand the properties of the objects that they played with – whether they are hard or soft, or big or small; whether the have a ight or a wrong way up; whether their shape changes or stays the same; whether they taste or smell good, and so on. Babies learn so much from exploratory play and we as practitioners provide them with a safe and secure place to do this. We let the children take risks which they may not be able to do at home such as having out blunt cutlery, pasta and other exciting and interesting objects in which they can play with and learn from. Children are more likely to l earn through play if you make it exciting for them and you help in supporting their play. When supporting children within their play you should aim to provide minimum intervention in children’s play activities while keeping them safe from harm. You should support rather than direct their play and help create a play environment that will stimulate their self directed play and provide maximum opportunities for them to experience a wide variety of activities. You can show support within children’s play by providing flexible planning and enable them to choose from a broad range of play opportunities both indoors and outdoors. You should support their play by giving the child a choice of whether or not they wish to be involved in the play activity. By giving the child plenty of space to play especially when they are taking part in physical and imaginative play and to provide challenging play opportunities to avoid boredom; risk taking is part of the enjoyment of play. Creative play allows children to express their feelings through art, music, role play, singing and story telling. It is important that as practitioners we introduce new concepts of play to children in order to expand on their existing knowledge. When supporting a child in creative play practitioners should not stress that they are to produce an end product, and that there is no competition to who produces the best piece of work as children develop at different levels and stages. Practitioners should support the fact that the child has had a learning experience whether they have just explored the resources and materials or they have reached the end product. All children should be praised for the efforts they have made and feel pride in what they have achieved and learnt and we should support children in not being disappointed in their efforts of creative play. Children’s creative development is broken down into 4 sections these are responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, exploring media and materials, Creating music and dance and developing imagination and imaginative play. Children need the opportunity to explore and investigate and have a sound knowledge of where they want to go in life. Creativity can give your child a chance to experience and develop new skills and sharing their knowledge and skills with others It is a way in which children explore and develop an understanding of the world. Through creative play children develop social, material, and imaginary worlds and their relationships with them, they elaborate all the while a flexible range of responses to the challenges that they may encounter. Creativity plays a part in all the learning areas within the foundation stage for example; Personal, social and emotional development, creativity builds upon a child’s curiosity and encourages a positive approach to new experiences.

Mcdonalds Marketing Campaigns And Glocalisation Marketing Essay

Mcdonalds Marketing Campaigns And Glocalisation Marketing Essay McDonalds Corporation is the worlds largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving more than 58 million customers daily (McDonalds- company history). The company came into existence in 1940 by two brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Berdardino, California. The corporation was the pioneer in introducing Speedee Service System in 1948, which is now known as fast food. The present corporation dates its founding to the opening of a franchised restaurant by Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, Illinois on April 15, 1955. Kroc later on went to purchase the McDonalds brother equity from the company. The use of aggressive businesses practices is what defined him as an individual (www.wikipedia.com). One of the main factors for McDonalds immense growth over the years came from Glocalization, where they started entering new markets by either offering a franchisee, an affiliate or the corporation itself. The corporations revenues came from rent, royalties and fees paid by the franchisee s as well as sales generated from the company owned outlets. Glocalisation (or glocalization) is a combination of globalization and localization.   By definition, the term glocal refers to an individual, group, division, unit, organisation, and community which are willing and able to think globally and act locally (ABCs Social Media, September 18th 2008). McDonalds have spread their business to many other countries and rely heavily upon the importance of thinking global and acting local in order to suit the tastes and preferences of cultures of various countries. Kroc believed the corporation could make more money if it appealed to children and went onto sponsoring a kids TV show called bozo the clown (www.bbc.co.uk, A brief history of McDonalds). McDonalds continued to grow as a chain over the USA. Having covered the states, McDonalds first overseas restaurant was in Australia in 1971. The company made its presence felt in most of the European countries. However, the corporation noticed an immense demand and a young vibrant market in the Indian sub-continent. McDonalds first entered India in October 1996 by establishing a joint venture in New Delhi managed by 2 Indians Amit Jatia the managing director of Hardcastle Restaurants spearheaded McDonalds in west and south India while McDonalds in North and East of India are owned and managed by Vikram Bakshi the entrepreneur of Connaught plaza restaurants (www.mcdonaldsindia.com). McDonalds has won several awards in consecutive years from 2001-07. It has built a strong relation with more than 2.75 lakh customers who place their trust in the brand everyday by providing them the highest quality of food and at a great value. OBJECTIVES OF MCDONALDS (company perspective)- McDonalds underwent a lot of changes in order to adapt to the Indian market. As mentioned by McDonalds management in their Indian website- Our strategy is to achieve best value by enhancing experience (offering best quality), while keeping prices low. The objectives of the corporation remain unchanged as they follow the same procedure which defines their global standard. Their main emphasis is on providing food that is served hot and fresh, made from the highest quality ingredients, served within minutes of placing the order (www.mcdonaldsindia.com). However, the companies main objectives in order to ensure consumers have a truly Indian experience is- Local sourcing is the key for truly Indian products- the corporation has developed local Indian businesses, which supply them the highest quality products required for their Indian operations. Respect for Indian customs and culture- McDonalds worldwide is well known for the high degree of respect to local culture. In line with its respect for local culture, India is the first country where the corporation does not offer any pork or beef. An employer of opportunity- an employer of opportunity, providing long term careers and quality employment to the Indian population. Quality, service, cleanliness and value- this is McDonalds USP to provide high quality products, served quickly with a smile and in a clean and pleasant environment. Community partnerships- the corporation believes in giving back to the community it serves. Source- (Mcdonaldsindia) PROMOTION From a marketers point of view, the corporation underwent a huge change in order to market its products in India. Since most of the western nations nearly share the same taste and culture, the corporation uses the theory of standardization since there is hardly any difference in the cultural aspect. However, entering the Indian subcontinent, which differs significantly from the west and also other Asian countries, the corporation got involved in in-depth research before entering the market. Press coverage Media advertisements and tag lines- Media for children- McDonalds advertised their kids meal on cartoon channels by showing a free toy with the purchase of a burger, which attracted a lot of attention to young children. Community work- community work always catches the eyes of the press. The corporation has participated in several fields which contribute to the community as a whole. Example- the mayors marathon for cleanliness, the BMC-McDonalds (Bombay municipal corporation) health seminar, housing charities, supporting pulse polio etc. Source- (http://www.mcdonaldsindia.com/mediacenter.html) This brings me to discussing what this research would conduct. The main subject this research would be contributing towards is whether by thinking global and acting local and the corporations marketing objectives help McDonalds attain a profitable and positive consumer base in the Indian subcontinent. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY Marketing campaigns- eagerness of individuals to participate in marketing campaigns. Example- during a festival, are consumers aware of the chance to win a free iPod or to dine in with a celebrity. Marketing mix- how has McDonalds used the marketing mix to adapt itself to the Indian Market. Cultural difference- to identify till what extent has McDonalds gone to culturally adapt itself to the market. Promotional and penetrating strategies adopted by McDonalds with regard to expansion plans and market dominance. Purpose- why do consumers chose McDonalds. This field would encompass the practical idea of cost conscious consumers, societys influence of purchasing patterns, influence of the west, consistency provided by the corporation, influence of children in choosing McDonalds, relaxed environment and advertisement campaigns/social campaigns. New concepts- asking individuals how McDonalds can serve their customers better. This might be in the form of having more location, introducing a concept such a drive thru in more locations, adding more to their existing menu in order to avoid repetitive purchase and stagnancy. LIMITATION This research survey would be targeted towards gaining information on consumers in India and their perception over McDonalds marketing objectives and how well has their Glocalization (thinking global and acting local) campaign help individuals develop loyalty towards the brand. From a companies perspective, the research would help understand and identify the corporations marketing activities but however would not give an insight into the budget that is allocated for them to carry out their tasks. Chapter one: introduction to the study Introduction Objectives of the study Scope of the study Chapter two: global marketing 2.1 The paradoxes of globalization 2.2 The globalization process 2.3 The positioning of Global brands 2.4 Global brands- The cobnsumer point of view 2.5 Global market entry strategies 2.6 Configuring the global marketing mix 2.7 The product 2.8 The price 2.9 The distribution channels 2.10 The promotion Chapter three: methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The case study method 3.3 Applying the exploratory case study method 3.4 The interviewees 3.5 The interviews focus Chapter four: Mcdonalds: the globalization process The make-Up world market Product categories Segmentation of the market The value of the market The expansion strategy New market development The marketing mix Chapter five: conclusions Introduction Implemented strategies analysis Problem identification Recommendations Culture and competitive advantage Effective international division structure Future managerial applications Abstract The exploratory research helps identify and examine how McDonalds corporation manages its marketing strategies based on the concept of Globalization. It helps examine and explore how the American fast food giant has adapted to the local taste and preferences of individuals in the Indian Sub-continent. Based on the concept of globalization and entering international markets, this research identifies the marketing strategies used by McDonalds corporation with respect to the marketing mix, buyer behavior based on consumer perception, cultural adaptation and promotional tools for further business expansion Qualitative research used in this research encompasses interviewing branch managers of McDonalds in selected location in India. The research also focuses on the perception and buying behavior of individuals who dine in McDonalds. The information obtained defines detailed description of various responses from the individuals interviewed, which eventually led to the completion of the research of how the corporation has used globalization and its tools for its marketing strategies in the Indian Sub-continent. Since globalization is a broad concept, the only limitation that this research faces is the clash of cultures, which can be defined as the main driver for problems associated with globalization. The problem identified in the research is based both on basis of society and the organization. This study is based solely on the concept of globalization used by McDonalds for its marketing strategies in the Indian sub-continent and there is no mentioning of comparisons to McDonalds outlets in different countries since the cross cultural analysis would be very limited and would result in the research being incomplete. Eventually, recommendations in the conclusion column is mentioned to address the future strategies that can help McDonalds achieve a more profound and effective approach for achieving a higher market growth. CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW INTRODUCTION Globalization describes the process by which regional economies, societies and cultures have become integrated through a global network of communication, transportation and trade. However, there are several limitations associated with globalization from, the main factor being cross cultural analysis. This is where a new concept emerged, the term Glocalization, meaning think global by acting local. McDonalds have spread their business to many other countries and rely heavily upon the importance of thinking global and acting local in order to suit the tastes and preferences of cultures of various countries. Emphasising on this factor has helped the corporation build effective marketing strategies which have led to a profitable consumer base in India. In order to identify and the marketing objectives of the corporation and the perception that individuals have of the global brand, quantitative research can help establish a base/platform for identifying how these factors contribute to the success of McDonalds in India. To help identify the major objectives of the research, the following forms of secondary research are used- Internal company data Surveys Journals Web articles Computerized databases METHODOLOGY Secondary research can be helpful in identifying the current problem but does not guarantee any solution to the problem at hand. The McDonalds corporation has entered the market only to be welcomed. Years of research have led the corporation to a thorough understanding of the culture and sentiments of the public. The globalization process helps us understand that the buying process does not adhere to the product itself but is associated with fundamental cultural attributes/values which McDonalds understand and values. According to McDonalds senior management (www.mcdonaldsindia.com), standardization of their product is the main phenomena behind their company objectives. However, one key drawback to standardization is that it refers to a product rather than a consumer. A standardized product might be a failure when the cultural aspect comes into question. Hence the adaptation strategy used by McDonalds emphasizes on the consumer more than the product that they offer. (Cateora, 1993) m entions marketeers must be made aware of the diverse cultures present in other countries if they intend on having a profitable international expansion. Applying qualitative research in the form of journal articles, web articles and internal data helps formulate an appropriate research design (Naresh k Malhotra, Marketing research, page 96). Using the corporations internal data, the research identifies what types of entry and adaptation strategies have McDonalds used in India to give its product a definite Indian touch. Before entering the market, McDonalds had to understand the nature and consumption patterns on the Indian fast food industry. The staple fast food diet of individuals before the introduction of McDonalds was- pizza, burgers, chaat (traditional), vada pav (traditional), pani puri (traditional) etc. the leading fast food joints in this sector were Nirulas for pizzas and hot dogs (www.nirulas.com), Wimpys for its burgers, pizza corner, Haladirams for traditional and global fast food cuisine and several other local competitors. The corporation realized and understood the potential for growth in this sector. According to the Government of India website (http://business.gov.in/Industry_services/retailing.php), India is one of the most attractive markets for retail investment. Many national and global players have been investing in the retail segment and have ambitious plans for further expansion. The vast middle class with rising purchasing power are attracting global retail giants into th e almost untapped retail industry. Some of the international players already present in the Indian market include fast food chains like McDonalds and Pizza Huts; Dominos; Levis; Lee; Nike; Adidas; Benetton; Sony; Sharp; Kodak; etc. The investment opportunities in the domestic retail industry lay in most of the product categories particularly food and grocery (the largest category). According to (McDonalds India), the company invested four years to develop its unique cold chain, which has brought about a veritable revolution in food handling, immensely benefitting the farmers at one end and enabling customers to get the highest quality food products, absolutely fresh and at a great value. By using the theory penetration pricing, McDonalds priced its products at rates fairly less in comparison to its global locations. Example- a Mc chicken meal in London costs a person 3.5 GBP. The same meal in India would cost an individual $ 1. Its exclusive vegetarian burgers cost less than 30 pence. Another interesting factor that revolves around the taste a quality that differs from region to region in McDonalds products in order to serve the local taste that consumers prefer, the corporation decided to outsource their supplies to local supplier, hence keeping costs down which eventually benefits both consumers and the corporation. With regards to globalization, the corporation has set its objectives to offering their customers a complete Indian experience, which suits their culture. From a consumers perspective, branding plays an important role when it comes to choosing a product. As mentioned by ( ), the spending patterns of the Indian consumers has evolved over time. The maximum they tend to spend is on food. Since trade and commerce is growing in the country, the consumers are more aware of international brands entering the market and being bombarded with several advertisements which catches their attention and sentiments. POSITIONING OF MCDONALDS The corporate strategy of every multi-national corporation is to enter international markets. According to Keegan (1999), there are three product categories in the local-to-global continuum: national, international and global. However with regards to McDonalds, the research would only compare the differences in a national product and a global product. A national product is the one that, in a context of a particular company is offered in a single national market. Sometimes national products appear when a global company caters to the needs and preferences of countries sharing similar cultures. Example- McDonalds has its standardized product which it sells the world over Mc Aloo Tikki. Since the majority of the population in India are vegetarian, the corporation introduced its first vegetarian burger which suits the tastes and preferences of the local population and the major share of sales for McDonalds in India is derived from its vegetarian products. (www.mcdonaldsindia.com) A global product is offered in global markets. They are international and multi-regional. Example- McDonalds serves its Mc chicken burger in America, Europe, Asia, South East Asia, Australia and NewZealand. This is because the nature of the product suits the tastes and preferences of most cultures. By consulting web articles from ( ), the research identifies approach adopted by McDonalds to advertise its products in India. This would help the research identify the marketing mix adopted by the corporation to suit the Indian sub-continent. Since McDonalds is a global brand, its marketing mix varies from region to region catering to the difference in consumer taste and preferences as well as perception. Perception is what holds the key to positioning a brand. According to Trout and Ries, positioning is not what you do to a product. Positioning is what you do to the mind of the prospect. That is, you position (place) the product in the mind of the prospect. Since that time in marketing, positioning is the technique in which marketers try to create an image or identity for a product, brand, or company in the perception of the target market. What matter is how potential buyers see the product? It is expressed relative to the position of the competitors. Another factor that proves to be a factor which effects globalization is communication. Globalization does bring the world together but however, sharing of cultures and languages of different regions can be a strenuous task not resulting in productivity at times. However the concept of glocalization questions this statement. Having a thorough knowledge of any market can only be possible if there is a local citizen belonging to that region working with you. Hence, having tie-ups and the concept of franchising has helped McDonalds corporation overcome this dilemma and grow in a country where language would have been the main barrier. Quantitative research has helped the research identify how McDonalds promotes its product in a country consisting of a vast social diversity. As mentioned by a web article by (DR. Amit Rangnekar), India as a country has 20 different languages, 800 + dialects and 8 languages for national launch, can make a new product launch for any multi-national company risky and difficult by not choosing the right medium. Extensive use of the media helped capture the attention of several audiences. The corporation understood the sentiments of the population, which helped them, establish a proper communication network to address the needs of the consumers in all major languages spoken. Focussing on the Indian population, the corporation has gone to the extent of creating advertisements which capture the attention of the audience. Example- Leo Burnetts advertisement and taglines for McDonalds India- for the happy meal which was introduced in 1997 what your bahaana is? meaning what is your excuse. purane zamaane ka daam, bees mein full dhamaal- meaning (prices so low that would attract your ancestors, enjoy a blast by paying only Rs 20) and recently Im loving it. McDonalds has undergone a lot of press coverage. As quoted by (The Hindu Business Line)- happy to go McDesi covers how McDonalds besides adapting to Indian tastes is offering a range of touch points for customers on the go. It is focussed on having its presence felt in all spheres right from petrol pumps to kiosks to drive thru and home delivery. (http://www.mcdonaldsindia.com/mediacenter.html) With reference to these advertisements and slogans, the research identifies the significant impact a thoroughly understood marketing campaign has on individuals. The brand has positioned itself to suit pockets of nearly all individuals. With my personal experience, the product that is priced the cheapest in McDonalds India, can suit the pocket of a Labour, who own $ 10/day. Understanding the value and sentiments of individuals has the corporation develop a profound and trustworthy consumer base. According to Dr. Amit Rangnekar of NMIMS, McDonaldsstrategy is based on 5 key drivers of exceptional consumer experiences- People + the 4 Ps and founded on the belief of 3 success components- Operational Leadership marketing Innovation The intent of delivering an exceptional experience to almost 2.75 lakh people a day who place their trust in the brand and offering better efficiency and speed of service is what differentiates McDonalds from local counterparts in India. The efficiency with which they use their resources and the use of technology helps them retain their brand essence. Consumer perception associated with global brands has evolved over the years. According to a survey conducted by (KSA Technopak), the sector for eating out is growing tremendously, since consumer spending is increasing. The Urban fast food sector is growing at a rate of 20 % and quotes McDonalds is just not a substitute for Indian food, its just one more option for people to exercise. Indians want a taste of America but not on a regular basis as quoted by survey conducted by KSA Technopak and Dr. Amit Rangnekar. Inflexibility in the product mix could be their undoing. However, innovation has led to the introduction of products which has resulted in increased footfall of consumers eating at McDonalds and growth in the number of outlets nationwide. Concentrating on the marketing mix of McDonalds, quantitative data has helped the research identify- Pricing strategy Promotional strategy

Essay --

1. Name of the system HRMIS is stands for Human Resources Management Information System. 2. Summary of the system to be developed HRMIS is system that will be developing to assist an employee’s record management in Human Resources Department and Finance Department. This system will help both department to collaborate in the making of finalize report which it been demand in the end of the month or year. This system will retrieve all the activity that contains of employee activities either active or non-active records such as for HR Department they consists a report attendance for KPI (key performance indicator), leave, mc, pension’s information and for Finance Department information like staffing’s salary. So, using this system where it is built using an intranet where staff from this two department can attach and update the information at the metadata immediately whereby it making the information currency. Besides that, they can monitor all the activities that related to the employee among themselves. This system contains a metadata that can be a key to the employee. So the inf...

Myself the Writer Essay

  One of the reasons why I love writing is because it is my desire to progress in writing through setting more achievable objectives, building on novel ideas, in addition to developing new skills. Through writing I am able to advance my knowledge on a variety of subjects. Every time I write I am able to learn something new. I take writing as a way through which I can express my feeling. However, writing is a challenging task due to the fact that it calls for extra caution. There are many rules and regulations that surround writing. Some of these rules limit the extent to which one can express himself in writing (Elbow p, 12). There are various challenges that I come across in the process of writing that tend to slow me down. Finding the right words is the hardest of these challenges. Sometimes it is very hard to find the most appropriate words to make my writing sound the way I would like. Writing can also be a boring as well as demoralizing task when a writer fails to get the necessary information (Elbow p, 26). Trying to figure out the words that will follow the work I have already completed is the other challenge that I face as a writer. Lack of knowledge concerning a particular topic is the other challenge I face as a writer. Along with lack of knowledge, lack of information from various sources is the other factor that negatively impacts on my writing. Writer’s block is the other challenge that I face in writing. However, I have learned that in order to overcome writer’s block I need to put down what is in my head. Work Cited: Elbow P. , (edn 2), (1998). Writing with power: techniques for mastering the writing process, ISBN 0195120175: Oxford University Press US

aerosmith essays

aerosmith essays Cause and Effect Aerosmith In this capitalist society where trends and popular opinions drastically sway the value of arts, it is rather difficult for artists to cleave to their original preferences throughout their careers. This was certainly the case for the popular band Aerosmith who initially had started as a rock band and had then turned into a pop band. In this short paper, I will explain how Aerosmiths drug issues had eventually become the cause for this change in music style. Founded in the early seventies by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Ray Tabano, Aerosmith originally began as a rock band. Although Ray Tabano leaves the band, Aerosmith is soon joined by Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer who further strengthened their rock music. Performing their self-made music at local bars, Aerosmtih soon attracted rock fans from all over the United States. After signing with Columbia records in 1973, Aerosmith gradually gained popularity as a hard rock band producing hit singles such as Dream On. Building a strong, targeted fan base, the rock band continuously released hit albums and eventually became one of the significant icons in the genre of rock music. However, the sex, drugs and rock-n-roll band faces a sharp decline in popularity and sales in the late seventies when the members experience serious drug problems. Needless to say, their incessant drug abuse led to bad publicity and performance. To illustrate, the band frequently destroyed hotel rooms with chainsaws, took drugs during performances, attacked fans and so on. Named as the Toxic Twins, Tyler and Perry spent most of their money on drugs and soon went bankrupt. To make matters even worse, Perry and Whitford leave the band in 1979 after a quarrel. Aerosmith had lost most of their loyal fans and was headed for their withdrawal from the music industry. Something...

Causes of the Mexican-American War

Causes of the Mexican-American War The origins of the Mexican-American War can largely be traced back to Texas winning its independence from Mexico in 1836. Following his defeat at the Battle of San Jacinto (4/21/1836), Mexican General Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna was captured and forced to recognize the sovereignty of the Republic of Texas in exchange for his freedom. The Mexican government, however, refused to honor Santa Anna’s agreement, stating that he was not authorized to make such a deal and that it still considered Texas a province in rebellion. Any thoughts the Mexican government had of recovering the territory quickly were eliminated when the new Republic of Texas received diplomatic recognition from the United States, Great Britain, and France. Statehood During the next nine years, many Texans openly favored annexation by the United States, however, Washington rejected the issue. Many in the North were concerned about adding another â€Å"slave† state to the Union, while others were concerned about provoking a conflict with Mexico. In 1844, Democrat James K. Polk was elected to the presidency on a pro-annexation platform. Acting quickly, his predecessor, John Tyler, initiated statehood proceedings in Congress before Polk took office. Texas officially joined the Union on December 29, 1845. In response to this action, Mexico threatened war but was persuaded against it by the British and French. Tensions Rise As annexation was debated in Washington in 1845, controversy escalated over the location of the southern border of Texas. The Republic of Texas stated that border was situated at the Rio Grande as set forth by the Treaties of Velasco which had ended the Texas Revolution. Mexico argued that the river stipulated in the documents was the Nueces which was located approximately 150 miles further north. When Polk publicly supported the Texan position, the Mexicans began assembling men and sent troops over the Rio Grande into the disputed territory.   Responding, Polk directed Brigadier General Zachary Taylor to take a force south to enforce the Rio Grande as the border. In mid-1845, he established a base for his Army of Occupation at Corpus Christi near the mouth of the Nueces. In an effort to reduce tensions, Polk dispatched John Slidell as minister plenipotentiary to Mexico in November 1845 with orders to open talks regarding the United States purchasing land from the Mexicans. Specifically, Slidell was to offer up to $30 million in exchange for locating the border at the Rio Grande as well as the territories of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico and Alta California. Slidell was also authorized to forgive the $3 million in damages owed to US citizens from the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821). This offer was refused by the Mexican government which due to internal instability and public pressure was unwilling to negotiate. The situation was further inflamed when a party led by noted explorer Captain John C. Frà ©mont arrived in northern California and began agitating American settlers in the region against the Mexican government.     Ã‚         Thornton Affair War In March 1846, Taylor received orders from Polk to move south into the disputed territory and establish a position along the Rio Grande. This was prompted by new Mexican President Mariano Paredes declaring in his inaugural address that he intended to uphold Mexican territorial integrity as far as the Sabine River, including all of Texas. Reaching the river opposite Matamoros on March 28, Taylor directed Captain Joseph K. Mansfield to build an earthen star fort, dubbed Fort Texas, on the north bank. On April 24, General Mariano Arista arrived in Matamoros with around 5,000 men.  Ã‚   The following evening, while leading 70 US Dragoons to investigate a hacienda in the disputed territory between the rivers, Captain Seth Thornton stumbled upon a force of 2,000 Mexican soldiers. A fierce firefight ensued and 16 of Thornton’s men were killed before the remainder was forced to surrender. On May 11, 1846, Polk, citing the Thornton Affair asked Congress to declare war on Mexico. After two days of debate, Congress voted for war- not knowing that the conflict had already escalated.