Hiroshima and Nagasaki Essay Example for Free

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Essay It was the morning of Aug 6 1945. It was a very beautiful rosy sky. You heard the birds chirping and yet it was so peaceful and calm. All of a sudden there was a thud. Then suddenly everything went quite and nothing was left of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Then three days later the same incident was repeated again where 70,000 and 40,000 people instantly lost their lives. This was the United States first step towards technology when the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The impact of this bomb had killed about 70,000 innocent civilians instantly. Even though the US knew the devastating effects of their weapons, they chose to drop it anyway. Three days later another bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. This had demolished about two square miles of the city and had taken about forty-thousand innocent lives. This was the end of the World War II. This all had started when President Harry Truman wanted to test out the Manhattan project. The Manhattan Project was a codename for a project that that was being done in the World War II to create the first atomic bomb. The â€Å"little boy† the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima was made with uranium-235. The bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki was made with plutonium-239 and called the â€Å"fat man†. The choice of target was recommended by the Target Committee at Los Amos and was led by J. Robert Oppenheimer. He has recommended the Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Kokura as the targets. There were several requirements in choosing the location to drop the fat man and little boy. The blast had to create an effective damage. The target was larger than three miles and was close to the urban area. And it was untouched from any attacks. â€Å"Hiroshima was described as an important army depot and port of embarkation in the middle of an urban industrial area. It is a good radar target and it is such a size that a large part of the city could be extensively damaged. There are adjacent hills which are likely to produce a focusing effect which would considerably increase the blast damage. Due to rivers it is not a good incendiary target (Wikipedia). Hiroshima also had a major army base that had headquarters to the 5th and the 2nd army headquarters. Also, Hiroshima had mountains that surrounded it so the damage could be more effective. When the planes that carried the bombs to Hiroshima they were picked up by the Japanese air raid and had send out an alarm. But when the Japanese saw that it was only three planes they had lifted the alarm thinking that they might be just the regular visitors the US was sending over. When the bomb was thrown the â€Å"Tibbets recalled: A bright light filled the plane. The first shockwave hit us. We were eleven and a half miles slant range from the atomic explosion but the whole airplane cracked and crinkled from the blast. We turned back to look at Hiroshima. The city was hidden by that awful cloud mushrooming, terrible and incredibly tall† (WWII database). Many of those who had survived had it far worse than the ones that died instantly. They had been badly and severely burned that they looked like living charcoal pieces. Many of the ones that survived all of this died of radiation poisoning and some even had started to vomit their insides out and had died. Majority of the areas hospitals were in a part of Hiroshima that was destroyed and over 90 percent of the doctors were killed. People that escaped unbruised or hurt would suffered balding and nosebleeds, because days after the explosion the radiation levels were dangerously high. And by the end of 1945 the Hiroshima victims had increased from 90,000 to 150,000. Majority of the people that were killed were Koreans. Because the communication process was delayed due to the devastation president Truman said If they do not now accept our terms, they may expect a rain of ruin from the air the likes of which has never been seen on this earth, he said, He later gave the go-ahead to drop the second atomic weapon on Japan† (WWII database). The Second bomb was intended for the city of Kokura. But due to the bad weather that was moving in the schedule had moved up two days. The city of Nagasaki was a very important sea port in Southern Japan. The results of the Fat man was much greater than the one produced by little boy. Around 75,000 people were immediately killed. The day after the attack Japan’s emperor had over ruled the military leaders of Japan and had forced them to give into the surrender unconditionally (doe. gov). This had ended the World War II. Soon after the city was starting to be built again but the devastation area was preserved. Today both Hiroshima and Nagasaki are doing really well. They have a large automobile industry that includes brands like mazda, and Mitsubishi. There still are people who suffer the effects of the radition but very few of them are left. The population went from null to almost 1 million people in each city. In Nagasaki there are hotels on the mountainside with houses, and shops around the neighborhood. Some people had thought that because of the high radiation levels nothing would grow here for decades. But people were shocked when the plants started to grow from under the debris. People had built themselves temporary huts to avoid bad weather. But three months later aide had come from the American-Directed occupation government and the construction had began. Today the city of Nagasaki has a population of about 440,000 people. And Hiroshima today has a population of about 1. 12 million people. In todays world there major industry there is machinery, automotive which produced the Mazda car, and food processing. They have malls, and major department stores. Even though there were two big bombs dropped on the Japans two of the industrial cities, Japan had gone into a total economic and traditional decline. The Japan’s economy was devastated. America had to step in and to help the Japanese economy to get back up, so therefore most of the American values and traditions were incorporated into the Japanese culture. I think it was morally wrong for the Americans to use the atomic bombs and take so many of the innocent lives. After all as always America is the only one that wants to be in power and that was the result of that.

The Shield of Achilles in the Iliad :: Iliad essays

The Shield of Achilles in the Iliad      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The shield of Achilles plays a major part in the Iliad. It portrays the story of the Achaeans and their fight against the Trojans in a microcosm of the larger story. Forged by the god, Hephaestus, who was a crippled smith, it depicts the two cities and the happenings within, as well as Agamemnon's kingly estate. To gain insight into the details and intricacies of the shield, one must look at the shield itself, the cities depicted within the shield, and the King's Estate and other scenes which are also depicted. These items will give even an amateur reader a fair understanding of the importance of Achilles' shield and the Iliad.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hephaestus, the god of fire, is the smith whom forged Achilles' shield. He begins with twenty hot bellows and fires bronze, tin, gold, and silver in his kiln. He then proceeds to hammer the metals upon his anvil to create a massive shield for Achilles to wield. The shield itself is made of five layers of metal with a triple ply shield strap edging on the rim. On the shield are scenes showing the heavens and earth and sea, two noble cities, a king's estate, fallow fields, a thriving vineyard, a herd of longhorn cattle, and a dancing circle. Once Hephaestus completes the shield he makes a breastplate and helmet for Achilles. The armor he forges is indestructible and worthy of a god. Through Homer's description of the shield and how it is forged, the reader can begin to understand the importance and value of this device in a literary context.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The two cities depicted on the shield represent a city in Greece and Troy. One of the cities is filled with men dancing and singing and brides marching through the streets, while the other is circled by an army. This army has two plans which split their ranks: to share the riches which they have captured or plunder the city and capture more. Turmoil surrounds each city. In one a quarrel breaks out and is brought to judgement. Surrounding the other, two armies fight along the river banks killing men and dragging off the dead. Both cities are tainted with death, and both house love.

Educational Opportunity Program Essay

The State University of New York Educational Opportunity Program was created by the state of New York in order to provide access, academic support and financial aid to students who may not otherwise be admitted to state graduate programs. This program falls under state university guidelines within the state government so there are specific enrollment rules such as the necessity of being a New York State resident at the time of application. The website for the program is http://www.suny. edu/Student/academic_eop. cfm. Mission The mission of the State University of New York Educational Opportunity Program is to provide access to graduate level education. This program focuses on students who show promise within their chosen field but who may not have access to a graduate education. The EOP program carefully considers all applicants but gives preference to students who are ineligible for enrollment under standard guidelines and/or come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Further, the program is designed to support students financially and academically in order to give them an opportunity to complete a higher education degree while also providing the support necessary to live up to their full potential. Resources The most important resource that the State University of New York Educational Opportunity Program provides is a graduate level education. Students who are part of the program receive support services including academic, career and personal counseling services as well as tutoring and additional instruction if necessary. The EOP program also provides financial aid for non tuition related expenses such as books and school supplies. However, the most important resource that the program offers is the monetary aid necessary to enroll in and complete a graduate level course of study. Good and Services While the State University New York Educational Opportunity Program does not provide tangible goods it does provide essential services to its more than ten thousand current students as well as its over fifty thousand alumni. The purpose of the services offered is to provide the tools necessary for economically or racially disadvantaged students to complete graduate level courses of study. These services help these students overcome the educational challenges they face in order to obtain higher education and go on to live successful and productive lives. To this end, the EOP program is customized to meet the academic, career and personal needs of all students through a variety of counseling programs. Further, the services offered are designed in such a way so that students receive the support necessary to complete their degree even when facing enormous struggles. Former students report feeling as if their support mentors enabled them to believe in themselves and to never give up on their educational dreams. Conclusion I chose this program because it is a very important part of the educational success of many disadvantaged students. I believe that all people should have access to higher education but this is not always the reality. Many students face such enormous struggles that they never receive a graduate level degree. This program has enabled many students to realize their dreams of an education through financial, career, academic and personal support. References DiNapoli, Thomas P. (2007). State University of New York Educational Opportunity Program. Division of State Government Accountability. Retrieved on April 21, 2009 from http://osc. state. ny. us/audits/allaudits/093008/07s99. pdf. Henehan, David. (2007). SUNY Educational Opportunity Program celebrates 40 years. The State University of New York. Retrieved on April 21, 2009 from https://www. suny. edu/SUNYNews/News. cfm? PrintFlag=Y&filname=2007-11-02+final+online+EOP+turns+40+II. htm. The State University of New York. (2009). Educational opportunity program. Retrieved on April 21, 2009 from http://www. suny. edu/Student/academic_eop. cfm.

Parents Guide to the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

According to statisticbrain.com, more than 1.5 million children in the United States are homeschooled. Homeschooling is a highly debated school choice topic. Parents choose to homeschool their children for a myriad of reasons. Some of these reasons are based on religious beliefs, others are for medical reasons, and some just want complete control of their child’s education. It is important for parents to make an informed decision regarding homeschooling. Even advocates of homeschooling will tell you that it is not the right placement for every family and child. The pros and cons of homeschooling should be carefully weighed before making that decision. Parents must examine the entire process of homeschooling instead of focusing on the idea of homeschooling. Pros of Homeschooling Flexibility of Time Homeschooling allows children to learn on their own time. Parents control how much time each day and how often their children complete their lessons. They are not boxed into the typically 8:00-3:00, Monday-Friday time in which traditional schools operate. Parents can customize their child’s schooling around their own schedules, their child’s ideal learning time, and can take school with them anywhere. In essence, a homeschool student never misses classes because lessons can be completed at virtually any time. Lessons can be always be doubled up on a particular day if something arises that interferes with the regular schedule. Educational Control Homeschooling allows parents to have complete control over their child’s education. They control the content that is taught, the way that it is presented, and the pace at which it is taught. They may provide their child with a more narrowed focus on certain topics such as math or science. They may provide their child with a more broad focus and include subjects such as art, music, politics, religion, philosophy, etc. Parents may choose the omit subject matter that does not align with personal or religious beliefs. Educational control allows parents to make every decision when it comes to their child’s education. Closer Family Relationships Homeschooling allows families to spend more time with each other. This often results in an increased bond between parents and children and amongst siblings. They essentially rely on each other for everything. Learning and play time are shared amongst all members of the family. In families with multiple children, the older sibling(s) can help teach the younger sibling(s). Education and learning often become the focal point of a family who is homeschooling. When one child is academically successful, the entire family celebrates that success because each of them contributed to that success in some way. Exposed to Less A big benefit to homeschooling is that children are able to be sheltered from immoral or corruptible behaviors that occur in schools across the country. Inappropriate language, bullying, drugs, violence, sex, alcohol, and peer pressure are all issues that children in schools are exposed to on a daily basis. There is no denying that these things have a profound negative effect on young people. Children who are homeschooled may still be exposed to things through other avenues such as television, but parents can more readily choose when and how their children learn about these things. One on One Instruction Homeschooling allows parents to provide one on one individualized instruction to their child. There is no denying that this is advantageous for any child. Parents can better identify individual strengths and weaknesses and tailor lessons to meet their child’s specific needs. One on one instruction also minimizes distractions helping the child remained focused on the content being taught. It allows students to learn at a faster rate with more rigorous content. Cons of Homeschooling Time Consuming Homeschooling takes quite a bit of time for the parent responsible for providing the education. This time increases with each additional child. Parents must take the time to plan and research the content that they need to teach their children. Teaching the lessons, grading papers, and keeping track of each child’s progress also takes a considerable amount of time. Parents who homeschool have to give their children their undivided attention during learning time which limits what they are able to do around their house. Cost Money Homeschooling is expensive. It takes a lot of money to purchase the necessary curriculum and the homeschool supplies you need  to educate any child adequately. Integrating any form of technology into homeschooling including computers, iPads, educational software, etc. increases the cost significantly. In addition, one of the allures of homeschooling is the ability to regularly taking your children on educational outings or field trips whose costs add up quickly. Underlying operational costs for meals and transportation must also be taken into consideration. The lack of proper funding can significantly inhibit the education you provide to your child. No Break No matter how much love your children, it is always enjoyable to have some time alone. In homeschooling, you are both their teacher and their parent which limits the time you can spend away from them. You see each other and deal with each other all the time which can lead to an occasional conflict. It is essential that conflicts are quickly resolved, or it can have a profound effect on the schooling itself. The dual roles of parent and teacher can lead to stress. This makes it even more important for parents to have an outlet for stress relief. Limited Peer Interactions Homeschooling limits the amount of social interaction that children can have with other children their own age. Interacting with peers is a fundamental aspect of child development. While there are other avenues to ensure that the homeschooled child receives this beneficial interaction, the diverse interactions available at a regular school are difficult to simulate. Limiting a child’s interactions to parents and siblings can lead to social awkwardness later on in life. Lack of Expert Instruction There are parents who have a background and training in education who choose to homeschool. However, the majority of parents who homeschool do not have any training in this area. It is not realistic for any parent regardless of their education to be an expert on everything their child needs from kindergarten through twelfth grade. This is an issue that can be overcome, but being an effective teacher is difficult. It will take a lot of time and hard work to provide your child with a quality education. Parents who are not properly trained can harm their child academically if they do not spend the time to ensure that they are doing things the correct way.