The American civil war. Arms and Equipment of the Civil War Essay

The American civil war. Arms and Equipment of the Civil War - Essay Example Lee who served as the confederate commander surrendered. In western civilizations, wars, such as the American Civil War, are usually characterized by five essential features. These include: Technology The Armed Forces of the West have always relied on superior technology, usually to compensate for inferior numbers. In the American Civil war, there were technologies that made this conflict more lethal than other past wars that had been conducted in the United States. This was the last war in which ancient artifacts such as wooden ships were used during hostilities. It also saw the introduction of weapons such as torpedoes, Gatling Guns, ironclads, and submarines, into modern warfare. When the war first broke out, the soldiers from both the Union and Confederate sides used old smoothbore muskets.1 These weapons allowed only for slow reloading and had a firing range of approximately eighty yards. Soon the Union soldiers were outfitted with rifles, which allowed for quick reloading of bu llets and had better accuracy and a wider firing range. The Confederate army would also start utilizing these types of rifles for more effectiveness. Both armies also began to make use of a new bullet known as the ‘Minnie ball’. The Minnie ball was much easier to reload than the older bullets. While these new types of weapons were more efficient, they also caused many more casualties within a shorter time period. Minnie balls resulted in many soldiers who were not effectively killed by this contraption sustaining deep tissue damage. Unfortunately, the surgeons did not know how to effectively combat such wounds and would often cut off limbs of the affected patient in order to save his life. Another weapon that gained widespread use during the civil war is the Gatling gun- which was essentially a machine gun that was positioned on wheels. This weapon could kills tens of men while being fired and rotated to cover all sides. Discipline More in the Western civilization relie d heavily on discipline, Western military practice has always exulted discipline, rather than kinship, religion or patriotism as the primary instrument that turns bands of men as individuals into soldiers fighting as part of an organized unit.2 In the American civil war, the soldiers had to live in a structured society which had privates at the lowest rank, followed by corporals and then sergeants, second lieutenants, lieutenants, captains, majors, lieutenant colonels, and finally colonels. To keep the men in top fighting condition, there was strict discipline. Offenses as minor as disregarding camp duty and not taking good care of one’s rifle was punished by hard labor such as digging latrines and uprooting large trees. More serious offenses such as theft, insubordination, or even cowardice in the time of action were punished by forcing the errant soldier to perform activities that would humiliate them before their colleagues. For instance, men were forced to carry logs, or wear signs that proclaimed their mistakes to all. There were also offenses such as performing acts of treason, murder, and desertion for which the errant soldier would be killed by hanging or by a firing squad. These punishments would be administered by the army’s Provost Marshal. Aggressive Military Tradition Shared military theories and doctrines help soldiers to understand how to conduct major operations as well as campaigns while preparing them for service in the fields. In the American civil war, the armies utilized Jomini's war theories. Baron Jomini’s theory on war was based on major European wars such as took place in the

Marketing practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing practices - Essay Example Marketing of services is a bigger challenge than marketing of products. Products have well defined parameters and the customer can base his decision to some extent on that. Services on the other hand are intangible and relies totally on customer’s needs and finally satisfaction. Hence, the definition of marketing would include customer relationship marketing. The key to success in customer relationship marketing lies on information. Marketing concept has changed in the past decade. It includes market research, brand/product management, public relations, and customer service (Chaffey et al., 2006). It is not more restricted to advertising and sales. Marketing activities have to be designed in coherence with the other activities of the firm for attaining profitability. Today internet marketing and e marketing are the emerging trends, which add to the definition of marketing. Marketing has to be done within the framework of business ethics and the parameters laid down by the local government. Nestle indulged in unethical marketing practices and can hence be called an unsuccessful marketing practice (CEM, 1997). They wanted to market Cerelac while the World Health Assembly emphasized breast feeding upto six months of age. Nestle ignored warnings by Gabon’s government not to advertise Cerelac on the television. They had also been trying to market their products directly through private and government hospitals by offering incentives to the staff. This is an unsuccessful and unethical marketing practice. Market segmentation is important for successful marketing. Consideration has to be given to the age, gender, demographics to derive maximum customer and organizational satisfaction. To provide customer satisfaction, their needs have to be analyzed. Communication and branding are important specially to reach the customers through direct means. Hence, customer orientation is essential. Kotler too defines

Volunteer activity review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Volunteer activity review - Essay Example In addition to the six of us, the event also attracted other volunteers including nonnative volunteers. The event involved a number of environmental protection activities. All the participants were divided into two groups. One group was in charge of shoveling the dirt. I joined the second group. This paper therefore provides a comprehensive discussion of the activities we undertook in our group during the environmental volunteer activity. Before embarking on the four-hour activity session, all of us had to be in the right apparels. One of the most important apparel recommendations were closed shoes and long pants. Since the activities would involve going through small thickets, the logs pants and closed shoes would be imperative in protecting the skin against harm from the shrubs or small insects that might live in the thickets. A rain jacket was also recommended just in case it rained during the four-hour session. There was also a special provision for participants who were under the age of eighteen (Noss, Westra, & Pimentel, 2000). They were required to bring a Youth Waiver Form just to prove the consent of their parents or guardians. Participants did not have to carry with them the tools needed to execute their mandates because all the tools required for the services would be provided. The overall activities for the session were to continue with the preparation of the planting beds with assistance from the KCD Grants that was awarded to Lewis Park. This preparation needed participants to trim back and relocate plants in the areas that were selected for coming up with the new community implementation planting beds. It is worth noting that the new community implementation planting beds are found on the upper part of Lewis Park just along the Golf Dr. S and 15th Avenue. At the end of the sessions, there would be a complete amendment of the indigenous soil and restoration of the park using native plants (Hay, Stavins, & Vietor, 2004). Each group was required

Preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Children Essay

Preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Children - Essay Example The loss is fairly gradual, so it may not be noticed immediately. The amount of hearing lost depends on the intensity of the sound, the duration of the sound, and how often the person experiences the sound. Hearing loss can be long term, or short term, depending on the above three instances. Once hearing loss has happened, however, there is no way to cure what has happened. In "Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Children: what Educators Need to Know", by Anne Kathryn Haller and Judy K. Montgomery, they describe the effect that noise induced hearing loss has had on American society. Nearly one third of Americans with hearing loss can link their decreased hearing ability to noise (Haller 29). Over time, it has moved to the number two cause of hearing loss, after age-related hearing loss. According to Haller, "nearly thirty million people are estimated to be exposed to injurious levels of noise each day" (30). What is worse is that many of these people are children. For children, loss of hearing carries a greater penalty then loss of hearing for adults has. Children are still learning how to use language, and a loss of hearing can negatively impact their ability to communicate, understand and learn language (Holler 2004). In the article, to prevent these problems in schools, Holler suggests having regular assessments of noise in schools, keeping noise in cafet erias and gymnasiums as low as possible, encouraging students to use personal hearing protectors, and regular screening of students for hearing loss, so that it can be caught and treated early (Holler 2004). In "The Effectiveness of an Interactive Hearing Conservation Program for Children," by Gail D. Chermak, Lori Curtis and J. Anthony Seikel, the researchers looked at recent increases in hearing loss in children and possible causes and solutions. They determined that of children with hearing loss, the majority of them are boys ages ten and older who have diminished their hearing in leisure activity (Chermok 1). Their study primarily looked at the effectiveness of hearing education for children in elementary school, and its long term effect on the children's responses to situations involving excessive noise. They presented to children two one hour sessions in which they were asked first what they knew about hearing and hearing loss in a questionnaire, and then were taught how to recognize situations of excessive noise, and how to protect their own hearing in those situations. Results suggested that this education significantly increased the children's knowledge of hearing and hearing l oss, and also increased the children's likelihood to use preventive and protective measures when around excessive noise. In the third article, "Hearing Conservation Education Programs for Children: A Review," by Robert L. Folmar, Susan E. Griest, and William Hal Martin, current efforts to protect children's hearing are reviewed, in order to provide a comprehensive source for educators. They found twelve programs whose primary goal was to educate about hearing loss, and an additional seventeen whose specifically looked at children and

Accounting writing assignments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accounting writing assignments - Essay Example In order to obtain detailed financial information about the company, it is necessary to analyse consolidated balance sheet and other financial statements of the company. The company’s financial data clearly indicates that Ford has achieved $128,954 million in sales for the fiscal year 2010. The company could effectively survive the impacts of 2009 global financial crisis and it attained a net income of $6,561 million in 2010. The annual report 2011 shows that the company’s earnings per share is $1.66 although it has not issued dividends to shareholders. The consolidated balance sheet of the company illustrates that Ford’s total assets/total liabilities for the fiscal 2010 were $164,687 million. In addition, total shareholders’ equity of Ford was $-642 million. According to the â€Å"management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations†, most powerful feature of the Ford is its flexibility to integrate with various market situations (Ford Motor Company). The company distributes its costs and expenses under two categories such as cost of sales and selling, administrative and other expenses. This section clearly reflects that effective cost monitoring and control mechanisms have assisted the company to improve its profitability. The management report indicates that the ongoing global economic recovery has greatly benefited the company to improve its financial condition, which was very weak in the previous year (Ford Motor Company). In addition, the Ford possesses an efficient management team that effectively forecasts changing consumer tastes and specifications and thereby greatly aids R&D team to design innovative car models. The general tone of the management’s comments points that the company is passing through an economic recovery phase, and the micro-macro environments of the Ford offers potential opportunities to the company for the upcoming years (Ford Motor Company). At the same time, intense market competition is

The Role of The CCTV Surveillance Systems in Reducing Crime in City Coursework

The Role of The CCTV Surveillance Systems in Reducing Crime in City Centers - Coursework Example It has been observed that CCTV helps police and security personnel to fight against terrorism. According Abhishek Agarwal CCTV is an integral in the protection of people and their homes. With all the innovations and technology of this world CCTV is among the most important electronic innovations which has brought dramatic change in people lives. As these system works on more sensitive and sophisticated electronic maneuverings which has made its overall more effective explained by Agarwal. â€Å"CCTV’s are funded by partnerships consisting of local authorities and businesses† (qtd.in Staffordshire police).In the last decade the propagation of CCTV has been observed in town centers. Britain is among the most extensive CCTV coverage country in the world. This is due to the proactive approach which was carried by central government with an investment of 38Million pounds to support 585 local CCTVs explained by Coretta Phillips. CCTV has been located in town centers, shops, shopping centers, hospital, building societies but very few of them are installed in housing projects (Coretta Phillips; Crime prevention studies). In addition to the funds from central government , European government and other local bodies have also invested in installation of CCTV with the major aim is to provide deterrence of crime and disorder. It has also explained by many experts that because of its surveillance capability it has become easy to deploy police and other security perso nnel appropriately. It also reduces public’s fear of crime which in return increases the use of public spaces. These cameras can be installed anywhere within the public areas of these systems noticeably or secretly explained by Michael Greenberger,J.D The ability of basic modern cameras includes zoom, pivot, rotate and focus on objects and people upto 300feet away (Ready;2005).also the video output of these cameras can be monitored , recorded and reviewed at a later time or

iTunes and the Future of Music Essay Example for Free

iTunes and the Future of Music Essay Through its iTunes, iPod, and proprietary music software, Apple dominates the legal music download industry. But with the iPod contributing half of all the firm’s revenues, Apple faces intensifying competition posed by imitators such as the joint venture between Microsoft and MTV, and Samsung’s Helix. In addition to the competitive pressures, iPod also faces legal challenges. In France for example, legal enactments that compel firms with proprietary music management software to open their code to others are about to be passed. Such a law will also standardize formats across the industry so that songs from one vendor could be played on a digital player from any other system. Apple has also had to stare down the four largest record labels as far as pricing is concerned. While the four largest record labels preferred variable pricing in order to maximize earnings, Apple successfully argued for the flat 99 cents price which is more competitive (Boone and Kurtz, 2008, ch. 4). The success of Apple illustrates how commitment to the marketing orientation philosophy is useful in ensuring organizational success. Unlike the major record labels which insisted on selling music packaged in CDs, Apple realized that music consumers’ tastes and preferences had shifted in favour of the more convenient digital format, and developed a product around such needs. Through the strategy of product development as identified by the Ansoff Matrix, we see Apple adding on to its product line music videos, popular TV shows, and short movies (Mercer, 1996). Apart from the product, Apple also got other elements of its marketing mix right. In particular, its adoption of the flat $0. 99 price rather than the variable pricing pushed by major record labels ensures that the product remains competitive. Its ability to bundle together its three products the iPod, iTunes and proprietary music software is also a smart marketing gimmick that has enabled it to lock in customers (Boone and Kurtz, 2008, ch. 4). Apple derives its sustainable competitive advantage from its proprietary music software as well as its unique player iPod. By enacting laws that allow Apple’s rivals access to its code, and by standardizing formats across the industry so that songs from other vendors could play from the iPod and vice versa, the new regulations will in essence be eroding the source of the competitive advantage enjoyed by Apple in the digital music industry. For that reason, should the French legislation succeed, it would be better for Apple to pull iTunes out of the French market (Boone and Kurtz, 2008, ch. 4).