Germany
Essays

European Imperialism and Decolonization: Spectacular in Some Respects, Not Spectacular in Other Respects The term "spectacular" is, in some respects, subjective. The collapse of European empires after 1945 was spectacular in some respects but not in others. The British Empire's decolonization after World War II can be logically called "spectacular" in its scope; however, it was not "spectacularly" surprising or shocking, for the Empire began decolonization decades before World War II. In contrast to the Empire's decolonization, France's decolonization can be logically called "spectacular" in both its scope and turmoil. According to research, these differing experiences of decolonization can be traced to several national and accidental factors. While post-WWII decolonization was breathtaking in its scope, painting all European Empire decolonization with a single "spectacular collapse" brushstroke would be inaccurate. Great Britain's decolonization began decades prior to 1945 and was rapidly accelerated by Great Britain's realistic approach to post-1945 economic and political realities. In addition, Great Britain's national psychology, solid government, friendly relations with the United States and relative luck in dealing with its subjects resulted in a rapid but relatively peaceful decolonization. France's post 1945 decolonization, in sharp contrast to that of Great Britain, more closely resembles a "spectacular collapse" for several reasons. Having made no attempts at decolonization prior to WWII due to its rigid intent on maintaining French rule over all its colonies, post-WWII France faced the economic and political necessity of decolonization at a distinct disadvantage. Saddled with its still-unbending intent to control its colonies, France was also overburdened by a national psychology that took the loss of a colony personally, a fractious and volatile government, an unfriendly relationship with the United States, and relatively terrible luck in dealing with colonists who were determined to be free and uncompromising in their approach to France's imperialism. In sum, Great Britain and France show markedly different approaches and effects of post-WWII decolonization, which can be fairly described as spectacular in some respects but no spectacular in other respects.

The film adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame which came out in 1939 deals with a number of themes of direct relevance to that period in history. This essay discusses the pertinence of its themes of oppression and ethnic prejudice to the events unfolding in Europe at the time of the film's release. This is highlighted by the prejudice shown to gypsies both in the novel and in the Holocaust.

¶ … weakening in Eurozone economy," written by D. Jolly and M. Eddy and published in the New York Times on October 30, 2012. The article discusses weakness in the Eurozone, specifically declining GDP in Spain and a…

History has been known to repeat itself. Today in Iraq for example, United States and Allied troops are torn when drawing up plans to win the war in the holy land. The problems stem from their not being able to directly…

Presently it is quite evident to come across functioning of a sort of wireless technology in the form of mobile phone, a Palm pilot, a smart phone etc. With the inception of fast connectivity in the sphere of commerce…

Heart of Darkness century has passed since the publication of Heart of Darkness and the verdict still remains out on Joseph Conrad's overall thoughts on imperialism and its associated problem of racism.

¶ … Leadership Skills Impact International Education

Scientology: Its Origins and Its Implications for Society

The first cases of Borna disease were described in the 17-19th century in Southern Germany. It was discovered to be a fatal disease affecting the neurological systems of horses and sheep, (Ludwig et al., 1985; Durrwald,…

Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 in Florence, Italy, the daughter of a wealthy landowner who was involved in the anti-slavery movement. He saw that she was educated in the classics as well as math and science.