French revolution Essay

Before the French Revolution, France was ruled and governed by the king, his Grand Council of ministers, and 13 courts called parliaments. King Louis XVI ruled by â€Å"divine right,† believing that he had been put on the throne by the grace of God. France then was one of the most powerful and wealthiest countries, and had a strong army, and even stronger cultural influence. (Plain, 5) Louis XVI and his wife Marie-Antoinette were shielded from the daily lives of the ordinary people in France. When Louis XVI inherited the throne in 1774, he also inherited many problems left behind by the previous king, King Louis XV. The country had been involved in the Seven Years War, also known as the French and Indian War, and was left with many debts of the war. France was divided into three groups, or estates with their own status and role to play in the country. The First Estate involved religious people in the country. The Second Estate involved all the nobles. These two estates had many privileges, and were the wealthiest group, but were only a small piece of the entire population. The Third Estate was everyone else in the country: the peasants, poor city dwellers, and the â€Å"middle class†. The Third Estate was the largest group, and had little to no power, even though it was the largest group. (Connolly, 8) In order to pay off national debts, Louis XVI increased taxes in the Third Estate, which impacted many of their lives. Because of the taxes, industry started to lag, and there were bread shortages in many places. People of the Third Estate relied on bread as their primary source of food, and when the bread ran out or the price increased, many people went hungry and riots broke out. (Plain, 19) Louis XVI shocked many people when he declared war against the British, even though they were already in massive debt because of the Seven Year’s War. King Louis XVI wanted to increase trade with America, and wanted revenge against the British for beating them in the Seven Year’s war. After the American Revolution, many Parisians were fascinated by Benjamin Franklin, the American Ambassador to France. Franklin told of the new American Republic, where representatives obeyed the will of the people. Talk about similar change spread through France. Louis XVI tried to make reforms by ending the corvà ©e in many provinces, and  outlawed the use of torture to gain information. He also granted more rights to Protestants and Jews living in France, and allowed more freedom of press. However, it was becoming harder and harder to govern with a stubborn parliament. In order to pay off debts, Louis tried to impose a tax on all landowners, not just the Third Estate. The parliament of Paris claimed that only a special assembly could approve a tax, an assembly that hasn’t been called in over 170 years, the Estates-General. (French Revolution ², 2) The Estates-General was an assembly where representatives of the three Estates could discuss what to do. Through May and into June 1789, the representatives argued about how many votes each Estate should have. The First and Second Estates bent the rules to their advantage, saying that each Estate should have only one vote, ensuring that they would win any conflict two to one. The Third Estate wanted a system of majority votes, since it would give it the most say. On Jun 17, the Third Estate broke away and declared itself the National Assembly, which was a direct offence to the people in power, including King Louis XVI. (Connolly,12) The National Assembly created a new law that gave only it the power to decide on taxes. Louis XVI banned the National Assembly from its meeting hall upon hearing this. However, on June 20, 1789, the National Assembly responded by moving to the Versailles tennis court across the street and swore the â€Å"Tennis Court Oath.† The representatives swore that they would not break apart until they had drafted a constitution for the people of France, guaranteeing rights to the French people. Many lower-ranking clergy and a number of nobles broke away from the First and Second Estates to join the National Assembly. Louis feared the combined strength of this group, and could see that people were rising up against him. (Connolly, 14) In order to show the French his power, Louis hired foreign soldiers to go to Versailles and Paris, and fired the popular minister Jacques Necker. However, with the public and numbers from the other two Estates on its side, the Third Estate stood strong. The king, not wanting an outright revolt, ordered the representatives from the First and Second Estates to join the National Assembly to show that he accepted the change in mood, which then changed its name to the National Constituent Assembly. The French people wanted complete victory for the representatives of the Third Estate. They were mad that the king brought foreign soldiers in to France and fired Jacques Necker. On July 12, 1789, full scale rioting began, with symbols of the king’s power the main targets. Crowds of people gathered at the Hà ´tel Invalides, the place where the army stored their guns, and demanded arms to fight with. They rioters were able to get about thirty-thousand muskets and several cannons. However, they obtained very little gunpowder and few bullets. Upon hearing that the gunpowder and ammunition have been moved to the fortified prison, the Bastille, for safekeeping, thousands of people went to swarm the Bastille. The Bastille was originally built as a fortress, with walls five feet thick, but was now used as a political prison, but held very few prisoners. The crowd attacked shortly after noon on July 14, and Bernard de Launey, the man in command at the Bastille, agreed to surrender to the crowd if he was not harmed. But, the crowds took Launey prisoner, and soon after cut off his head and mounted it on a pike. (Corzine, 44-46) When Louis XVI was informed of the fall of the Bastille, he exclaimed, â€Å"But, this is a revolt!† The official who informed him told him, â€Å"No, Sire. It is a revolution.† (Plain, 29) In August, the National Assembly wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, influenced by America’s Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen called for political power to be shared by every individual, for the right of religious freedom, and the rule of law. (Plain, 30) On October 5, 1789, thousands of women gathered at the city hall in Paris demanding bread. They disarmed guards and collected weapons and set out to Versailles to see the king. Along the way, a number of men and women joined them armed with scythes, heavy sticks, pikes, pitchforks, and knives. After the king was led back to Paris, he was literally held under house-arrest as a hostage. Louis XVI was convinced by his advisors and the queen to flee Paris and the entire royal family fled under the cover of the night. Many deputies feared that, with the king gone, foreign armies could invade France. The family’s flight was thwarted when they were recognized, a nd were led back to Paris as a prisoner in disgrace, and to many, a traitor. (Corzine, 63-65) By August 30, 1792, France was in a state of terror. The stronghold of Verdun was under siege by the Duke of Brunswick’s armies, which would give the enemy an open road to Paris if it fell. On September 2, news reached Paris that Verdun had fallen. On that September afternoon, terrible massacres occurred. Priests were dragged from their coaches and killed. Mobs stormed the Carmes prison and killed the priests imprisoned there. They were brought to a mock trial, and then executed. The killings lasted for five days, and over fourteen hundred people were killed. Nearly all the prisons in Paris were attacked and the prisoners murdered. (Corsine, 79-81) By 1792, members of the Jacobin club had taken control. The Assembly declared war on Austria and Prussia, but were easily defeated. As the enemy armies marched towards Paris, the people panicked. On August 10, about twenty thousand French revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries palace, forcing the royal family to flee. By then, many of the Revolution’s former leaders had left the country. In September, the French army defeated the Prussians. The National Assembly then voted and renamed itself the National Convention, which adopted the slogan Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. The Convention then immediately abolished monarchy, and, on January 15, 1793, the Convention found the king guilty of â€Å"conspiring against liberty.† The king was escorted to the guillotine on January 20, 1793, and was quickly executed, becoming a symbol of the Revolution. (Connolly, 32) Following the death of Louis XVI, France was waging war with nearly every European power, including England, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, and Prussia. There was also a small civil war in France, with the Royalists and the pro-Church people against the Revolutionaries. To help France through the war, the National Convention created the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, the leader of the Jacobin Club of Paris. Robespierre stressed the need for a center of opinion and was enemies with many members of the Convention. The Committee of Public Safety tried to de-Christianize France, and created a completely new calendar. The Committee of Public Safety soon led the country into what is now known as the Reign of Terror. During the Reign of Terror, possible enemies of the Revolution were executed. Over sixteen thousand people from all classes were sent to the  guillotine, and flags now had the phrase Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death! But, in July 1794, Rob espierre was sentenced to the guillotine, and his followers followed swiftly. (Plain, 35-38) The National Committee created a constitution that gave power to a five-member Directory, and two legislative bodies. The Directory had serious problems it had to face, such as supplying France with food and goods. Much of France’s population was starving. A little-known officer, Napoleon Bonaparte, supported the Directory and was able to help France in times of need. Several politicians overthrew the Directory on November 9, 1799, and created a new constitution which supposedly gave power to the Consulate, but actually gave all the real power to the First Consulate, which Napoleon Bonaparte was elected into. (Connolly, 44-45) Napoleon Bonaparte established the Bank of France, strengthened the school system, made government jobs, and established a code of justice known as the Napoleonic code. France also conquered many European countries, and by 1806, France controlled much of Western Europe. Napoleon soon became more and more powerful. He changed the constitution in order to give himself even more power, and declared himself Emperor of France soon after. The French believed that their lives were better under Napoleon, even though this was not the ideas of the Revolution. The French Revolution and the American Revolution were similar and different in many ways. The American’s wanted to break away from Great Britain, while France just wanted to get rid of the monarchy. During periods in the French Revolution, over seventeen thousand people were sent to the guillotine to be beheaded. During the war, America had France and Spain on its side and was against only Great Britain. France, however, was on its own, and had to fight against five countries. The French sent the king and queen of France to the Guillotine, but the Americans did not harm physically harm the royal family in any way. After the war, America had two forms of government. One was the Articles of Confederation, which gave too much power to the states, and another one was the Constitution of the United States. The French had four forms of government. The first was the National Assembly, the second  was the Committee of Public Safety, the third was the Directory, and the fourth was t he Consulate. For the French, their lives were better after the Revolution and once Napoleon was the First Consulate. The French Revolution was truly a revolution. The French Revolution was a real revolution because there are political changes, social changes, and economical changes. After the war, the French have overthrown the monarchy, and replaced it with the Directory. However, the Directory then fails, and is replaced with the Consulate. The people’s lives improved after the Revolution. The school system was better, and there were more jobs for people who could qualify. Napoleon established the Bank of France and improved the economy. Napoleon had improved the areas of education, justice, and business after the war, making the French Revolution a real revolution.

Unilever

The In practice structure was having too much reliant on primary sales and relations with trade and coverage was not extensive to deliver the desired results. A new distribution structure was needed. Ha launched a project which was named ‘FERREIRA' (taken from the brand of car which symbolizes for outstanding performance with fastest speed, premium image). Hash's Background Muscular Hal joined Milliner In 1983 In Its Research Department. Alumni of Boston university, Hal was fortunate to move into new assignments after every three to four years. Hash's real success came as Marketing Manager and she was posted to theHeadquarters in detergents coordination for East Asia Pacific and Africa/Middle East region. Her exposure of more than 30 countries improved her strategic thinking. Hash's strength was her unwavering focus, determined attitude and high level of energy. On these strengths Ha was made chairman PULP In 2001 to add vitality to the untapped potential of Pakistan. Disposabl e Income In Pakistan economy was Increasing as political conditions Improved and economy showed vibrancy. Scenario at Milliner Pakistan PULP was going through post merger synergy after the acquisition of Polka and Orphan Best Foods (REF).Ha and her team with their vision started off by analyzing the industry and emerging markets. They found out that new Innovation levels were needed. Previously companies were able to achieve global leadership by acquisitions and concentration on core brands and categories. Also further cost cutting was not possible from global purchasing and growth cannot be fueled solely from centralized supply chain or information technology. This case was written by Zinnia Khan under the supervision of Mr.. Keelhaul Named, Faculty CB as the basis for class discussion rather to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative issue.For confidentially reasons dates, figures & some facts have been hypothesized but without distorting the learn ing on processes. The consumer industry in the emerging markets needed the local touch. The success formula required innovation in value creation and service levels. PULP with the help of Malaysia, Bangladesh and Brazil. They concluded that companies which lacked service levels could not achieve the success they had aimed at. Also only innovations in the service levels to the retailers and customers increased returns for the companies.Hence, the distribution model had to be redesigned and its structure was studied in four domains namely: 1 Geographic Distribution 2 Distributor Operations 3 Sales Hierarchy, and 4 Sales Monitoring System and Reporting. Company Background PULP formerly Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited was established in Pakistan in 1958. The town of Ihram Khan was the site chosen for setting up a vegetable oil factory. Milliner Pakistan is the largest FMC company in Pakistan as well as one of the largest multinationals operating in the country now operating with six fac tories located at different locations around the country.Its head office was shifted to Karachi from Ihram Khan in mid ass's. Business Areas Restructuring and consolidating activities at Milliner includes the decision to sell or withdraw many brands and concentrate on those with the biggest potential. Restructuring created the following core business areas: 1 Home and Personal Care 2 Foods 3 Beverages 4 Ice Creams 5 Best Foods Meeting every day needs of nutrition, hygiene and personal care Milliner has the following distribution of share in its product portfolio: Home Care Personal care Ice cream Beverages Spreads Savory & Dressing 26 16 8 11 100% 2 MissionLeading consumer Product Company in Pakistan, a multinational with deeps roots in the country. Attract and develop highly talented people to empower double digit growth Serve the everyday needs for foods, hygiene and beauty of all consumers Produce breakthrough innovation in brands and channel Managing responsive supply chain maxi mize value from suppliers to customers Exemplary through commitment to business ethics, safety, health, environment and involvement in the community Conventional System of Sales & Distribution Conventional system of distribution of sales in the company was focused primarily awards urban market.The growing rural and suburban markets were being ignored in terms of needed attention to get improved results. Primary sales and quantitative achievements were the key objectives and accountability in the sales team. Geographic distribution Pakistan was divided into three regions namely, Karachi, Lahore city and Islamabad. Karachi region covered Karachi, Hydrated, few cities of Shins rural, Lower Punjab e. G. , Umlaut and Coastal belt and parts of Balloonists province. Karachi contributed 25% in the overall sales and 20% of the coverage was done by Karachi.Karachi region had 82 distributors to manage. Most distributors were sole distributors of Milliner and credit was given to these distribut ors. Lahore city covered Lahore and nearby towns. Lahore had the biggest potential in terms of sales. The population was concentrated and dense. Lahore had 34 distributors to manage. Islamabad region had a vast area to cover but had less potential as compared to Lahore. It covered Islamabad, NFW and northern cities of Punjab. It had 57 Sales Hierarchy Sales hierarchy consisted of Director C&CD, National Sales Manager (NSA), threeRegional Sales Managers, 20 Area Managers and 45 Field Managers. Field Managers used to report to their Area Managers. Field Managers looked after corporate business which means managing all categories. In the urban cities, Field Managers had only one distributor under its control. However, in the rural towns one Field Manager used to look after 13, 15 or even 22 distributors at one point in time. Field Manager's responsibility was to verify distributor's redistribution claims. Administrative and commercial documentation was heavy in his Job description. Eve n at times Field 3

'Australian banks have remained very sound by international Research Paper

'Australian banks have remained very sound by international standards,despite the global financial turmoil' observed the IMF, and impact on Australian Bank - Research Paper Example It is apparent that if a residential mortgage shock is joined with corporate losses, it will definitely harm banks. Local reports on Australian banks performance indicated that a stress test is based on a worse case scenario that would categorize other banks in the world in the same position (IMF 2010). In fact, it is argued that although such observations from the IMF stand to be correct, Australian banks were believed to obtain considerable aid from taxpayers and the Reserve Bank. Besides, it is argued that Australian federal government helps banks in events of crisis. Overall, reports have indicated that the Australian banking system was resilient during global financial crisis due to intensive supervision and regulation. Although, the four major Australian banks capital ratios are place below global average for large banks, their conservative approaches in implementing Base II framework indicates that their headline capital rations underestimate their capital strength. The major financial soundness indicators that these banks concentrated on include profitability, capital adequacy, asset quality and provisioning, and liquidity. On particular, the Australian banks’ loss given default rates are arguably higher than those of several other countries. Additionally, higher risk weights were endorsed for certain residential mortgages. Moreover, reduced risk weights, which are allowed in the Basel II framework’s standardized approach, were introduced for retail lending (IMF 2010). Nevertheless, the risk weighted assets numbers can not be comparable across nations. All in all, due to APRA’s conservative eligibility and deduction rules, Australian banks have a propensity of holding higher quality capital. According to RBA, in regard to Basel III requirements, banks will need to hold more and higher quality capital. In light with this, the Australian banks can be argued

Frozen yogurt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Frozen yogurt - Essay Example It has limited flavor as such it does not appeal to the taste-buds. Another brand of yogurt that I tried was Scream frozen yogurt. There is nothing to scream about it, its design is cute, easy to find and park (as such no wastage of time), but its main drawback is that it is not organic. Topping selection is also limited. As for Bango Frozen yogurt, it has low calories, and the free wifi service in an inconvenient location will not serve my purpose apart from the important disadvantage that the yogurt is not tasty. Frozen yogurt is my food. I am willing to skip my dinner and eat yogurt to my heart’s content. It is nutritious and easy to digest and it helps to keep my body fit and fine. With the addition of artificial flavors, the original flavor of yogurt is lost. As such, I like flavor-free yogurt. The original sweet-sour flavor of yogurt appeals to me. I like frozen yogurt for its quality and appearance. Majority of my friends like frozen yogurt and I would like to go by their choice. We friends go for social gatherings and after the school hours we reach out to Panda Yo outlet to enjoy eating yogurt. Eating it in the company of the classmates/friends, gives great satisfaction. Even though I like natural yogurt normally, I often choose some mild flavors and of them I like strawberry the best. But I make it a point to experiment with different flavors, when I decide to go for flavored

To what extent is our nation one that is unsettled in its sense of Essay

To what extent is our nation one that is unsettled in its sense of history and culture Is that something to fear, or is this no - Essay Example The typical American is an individualist. Because of this, it would be difficult to come to a precise definition of Americans as a people, aside from the fact that they live in the same country under the same government. In this regard, it is clear that America is still unsettled in its sense of history and culture, two things that are supposed to unite a people and provide them with a common identity. However, this is not something to be feared or loathed. In fact, this is what makes America grow continuously and, with such evolution; this is also what makes Americans achieve progress that will distinguish them from other peoples. Lewis Lapham’s Who and What is American is an article that points out the various theories raised regarding the American character. Lapham manages to accurately identify the misconceptions according to the subjective views of those who wish to come up with a definition of the American character but he does not go to the extent of actually pointing o ut his own alternative concept. Jack Hitt’s Dinosaur Dreams, on the other hand, may discuss about the America’s fascination about the extinct gigantic reptile but it points out the tendency of the American individual to adapt to the situations that surround him in order to seize opportunities that will work to his advantage. Wedded to an Illusion by Fenton Johnson explains, however, that although the nation’s culture can indeed change, the process can be long and tedious considering that there are also powerful forces that will arise as obstacles to such transformation. Despite the fact that the United States has been a country for about four centuries already, it is very obvious that it still does not really have culture that is really commonly practiced by its people and one that it truly American. Nevertheless, certain influential sectors who wish to address the people tend to emphasize on general traits in order to connect with the majority. In so doing thou gh, they also create the misimpression that Americans have really settled with a common cultural characteristic. Lapham explains that Americans â€Å"were always about becoming not, being; about the prospects for the future, not about the inheritance of the past.† (Who and What is American) Through this statement, Lapham puts emphasis on the notion that it is not correct to conclude that the American people can already boast of having a culture that transcends races, genders, ethnicity, classes, or religions. This is because there is even no common history to speak of. American society is becoming more and more multiracial. Even those who may consider themselves genuinely Americans could not come to agree in their interpretation of history due to the fact that they are influenced by prejudice based on their own political, ethnic, class, or religious background. Because Americans are about becoming, to state that they already have a common culture and understanding of history now is a fallacy. Hitt, on the other hand, raises a point that may be considered as supportive to Lapham’s premise. Hitt writes that through the fascination with dinosaurs as seen in the popular culture, â€Å"we sculpt their meaning; like outsized Schrodinger's cats, their existence depends on whether or not we have decided to look at them.†

Small Business Planning and Entrepreneurship Essay

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Cross-cultural management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

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