Friday, December 27, 2019

Battle of Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War

The climatic naval battle of the Spanish-American War, the Battle of Santiago de Cuba resulted in a decisive victory for the US Navy and the complete destruction of the Spanish squadron. Anchored in Santiago harbor in southern Cuba, Spanish Admiral Pascual Cerveras six ships found themselves blockaded by the US Navy in the late spring of 1898. With the advance of American forces ashore, Cerveras position became untenable and on July 3 he attempted to escape with his squadron. Cervera was soon intercepted by American battleships and cruisers under Rear Admiral William T. Sampson and Commodore William S. Schley. In a running battle, the superior American firepower reduced Cerveras ships to burning wrecks. The loss of Cerveras squadron effectively cut off Spanish forces in Cuba. Situation Prior to July 3 Following sinking of USS Maine and the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States on April 25, 1898, the Spanish government dispatched a fleet under Admiral Pascual Cervera to defend Cuba. Though Cervera was against such a move, preferring to engage the Americans near the Canary Islands, he obeyed and after evading the US Navy arrived at Santiago de Cuba in late May. On May 29, Cerveras fleet was spotted in the harbor by Commodore Winfield S. Schleys Flying Squadron. Two days later, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson arrived with the US North Atlantic Squadron and after taking overall command began a blockade of the harbor. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, USN. US Naval History and Heritage Command Commanders Fleets US North Atlantic Squadron - Rear Admiral William T. Sampson Armored Cruiser USS New York (flagship)Battleship USS Iowa (BB-4)Battleship USS Indiana (BB-1)Battleship USS Oregon (BB-3)Armed Yacht Gloucester US Flying Squadron - Commodore Winfield Scott Schley Armored Cruiser USS Brooklyn (flagship)Battleship USS TexasBattleship USS Massachusetts (BB-2)Armed Yacht USS Vixen Spanish Caribbean Squadron - Admiral Pascual Cervera Armored Cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa (flagship)Armored Cruiser Almirante OquendoArmored Cruiser VizcayaArmored Cruiser Cristobal ColonTorpedo Boat Destroyer PlutonTorpedo Boat Destroyer Furor Cervera Decides to Break Out While at anchor in Santiago, Cerveras fleet was protected by the heavy guns of the harbor defenses. In June, his situation became more tenuous following the landing of American troops up the coast at Guantà ¡namo Bay. As the days passed, Cervera waited for inclement weather to scatter the blockade so that he could escape the harbor. Following the American victories at El Caney and San Juan Hill on July 1, the admiral concluded that he would have to fight his way out before the city fell. He decided to wait until 9:00 AM on Sunday July 3, hoping to catch the American fleet while it conducting church services (Map). Spanish Navy armored cruisers Cristà ³bal Colà ³n (left) and Vizcaya. US Naval History and Heritage Command The Fleets Meet On the morning of July 3, as Cervera was preparing to break out, Adm. Sampson pulled his flagship, the armored cruiser USS New York, out of line to meet with ground commanders at Siboney leaving Schley in command. The blockade was further weakened by the departure of the battleship USS Massachusetts which had retired to coal. Emerging from Santiago Bay at 9:45, Cerveras four armored cruisers steered southwest, while his two torpedo boats turned southeast. Aboard the armored cruiser USS Brooklyn, Schley signaled the four battleships still on the blockade to intercept. A Running Fight Cervera began the fight from his flagship, Infanta Maria Teresa, by opening fire on the approaching Brooklyn. Schley led the American fleet towards the enemy with the battleships Texas, Indiana, Iowa, and Oregon in line behind. As the Spaniards steamed by, Iowa hit Maria Teresa with two 12 shells. Not wishing to expose his fleet to fire from the entire American line, Cervera turned his flagship to cover their withdrawal and directly engaged Brooklyn. Taken under heavy fire by Schleys ship, Maria Teresa began to burn and Cervera ordered it run aground. The remainder of Cerveras fleet raced for open water but was slowed by inferior coal and fouled bottoms. As the American battleships bore down, Iowa opened fire on Almirante Oquendo, ultimately causing a boiler explosion that forced the crew to scuttle the ship. The two Spanish torpedo boats, Furor and Pluton, were put out of action by fire from Iowa, Indiana, and the returning New York, with one sinking and the other running aground before exploding. End of Vizcaya At the head of the line, Brooklyn engaged the armored cruiser Vizcaya in an hour-long duel at approximately 1,200 yards. Despite firing over three hundred rounds, Vizcaya failed to inflict significant damage on its adversary. Subsequent studies have suggested that as much as eighty-five percent of the Spanish ammunition used during the battle may have been defective. In response, Brooklyn bludgeoned Vizcaya and was joined by Texas. Moving closer, Brooklyn struck Vizcaya with an 8 shell that caused an explosion setting the ship on fire. Turning for shore, Vizcaya ran aground where the ship continued to burn. Oregon Runs Down Cristobal Colon After more than an hours fighting, Schleys fleet had destroyed all but one of Cerveras ships. The survivor, the new armored cruiser Cristobal Colon, continued fleeing along the coast. Recently purchased, the Spanish Navy did not have time to install the ships primary armament of 10 guns before sailing. Slowed due to engine trouble, Brooklyn was unable to catch the retreating cruiser. This allowed the battleship Oregon, which had recently completed a remarkable voyage from San Francisco in the wars early days, to move forward. Following an hour-long chase Oregon opened fire and forced Colon to run aground. USS Oregon (BB-3). US Naval History and Heritage Command Aftermath The Battle of Santiago de Cuba marked the end of large-scale naval operations in the Spanish-American War. In course of the fighting, Sampson and Schleys fleet lost a miraculous 1 killed (Yeoman George H. Ellis, USS Brooklyn) and 10 wounded. Cervera lost all six of his ships, as well as 323 killed and 151 wounded. In addition, approximately 70 officers, including the admiral, and 1,500 men were taken prisoner. With the Spanish Navy unwilling to risk any additional ships in Cuban waters, the islands garrison was effectively cut off, ultimately dooming them to surrender.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

The First Act Of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll House - 981 Words

The first act of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House introduces us to the main characters of the play: Mr. Torvald Helmer, his wife Nora, Dr. Rank, Mrs. Linde, and Mr. Krogstad. In this first act we are able to see what gender roles and gender systems are like in this society. The first scene opens up with Nora returning home from christmas shopping with a delivery boy who hands over a christmas tree to Nora’s maid, Helene. Nora tells Helene to make sure she hides the tree well and then gives the delivery boy an extra large tip. As the delivery boy leaves, Nora goes over to check if her husband is still home in his study, while discreetly eating some macaroons. When Torvald exits his study, the act truly begins to unfold. Act one continues with Nora wanting to show Torvald all of the christmas shopping she did while she was out. Torvald replies by subtly scolding Nora for spending too much money, calling her a â€Å"little spend thrift† (pg 785). Here we begin to see tha t Torvald, as the man of the house, holds power over the finances of the household. Nora replies that Torvald is making more money now and therefore they can manage to spend extra on christmas this year. Torvald reminds Nora that his first paycheck won’t be for another three months so they must use their money wisely until then. Nora, who often tends to behave in a very naive manner, doesn’t seem to think that it is a big deal and suggests that they just borrow money and pay it back when Torvald’s check comes in.Show MoreRelatedHenrik Ibsen s A Doll House1563 Words   |  7 Pages In the play, A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen, the title itself symbolizes the dependent and degraded role of the wife within traditional marriages. Ibsen portrayed the generous nature root into women by society, as well as the significant action of this nature, and lastly the need for them to find their own voice in a world ruled by men. 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Female’s were seen as inferior and had very little expected out of them other then being a wife and mother, which is accurate for the time period Ibsen wrote the play in. This is evident in the relationship between the two main characters, Torvald and Nora Helmer. Torvald expects Nora to be a wife and mother first and foremost above being a human beingRead MoreSymbolism Of A Doll House By Henrik Ibsen937 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism in A Doll House In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House, the play is framed around symbolism and its irony. Symbolism throughout the play acts as a subliminal foreshadowing, each individually hinting at the impending end. The irony is continually represented through Ibsen’s play between perception and reality - perception being the evident meaning of each symbol and reality, being the ironic opposite connotation exclusively in Nora and Torvald’s situation. 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As shown in Act I, she was looked upon as someone who was only worried about her status and wealth. She becomes easily enlightened with money as soon as she comes home from Christmas shopping, ready to show her husband, Torvald Helmer. Her husband

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

The Summer of the 17th Doll free essay sample

The Australian play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, set the foreground of a new chapter in Australian Theatre, and is still seen as an important factor in the context of its evolution. Written in the 1950s by Ray Lawler, it was a first for Australian theatre, and helped to eliminate the cultural cringe which had held Australian theatre back from its full potential. Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, also known as The Doll, presented to the public, a truly Australian play written by an Australian, with home grown actors, a first for its time. Australians were at last presented with a true and realistic representation of themselves which they could relate and sympathize to. This is why The Doll is seen as important in the context of Australian’s theatre evolution. 2) To understand its importance to Australian theatre one should consider the context prior to The Doll. In the early 1900s, before The Doll, and after the war, at a time when Australia was loosening its economic, social and cultural ties with England, Australia struggled with its own sense of self. We will write a custom essay sample on The Summer of the 17th Doll or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This was major setback for development of national identity in Australian theatre, and was known as the cultural cringe, a term used to describe the lack of confidence in Australian cultural values and products. As a result, the best artists and playwrights were compelled to go overseas to gain recognition. Also, overseas playwrights and actors were imported, reinforcing the belief that ‘the best’ came from overseas. In time we will see The Doll changes this perception and encourages Australians to value their own culture and what it has to offer, and thus proving pivotal in Australian theatre history. In the period leading up to The Doll, most of the plays were of a melodramatic style, therefore proving that The Doll was important in the evolution of Australian theatre. Usually consisting of a collection of Australian stereotyped characters, the melodramatic style of production gave an unrealistic representation of Australia and its people. This was mainly due to an inability to represent the outback effectively on stage, especially with floods or fires. Therefore the productions were ineffective and failed it portray Australia in a realistic form. ) Another set back for Australian theatre was that playwrights had to be careful to use ‘cultured’ or ‘refined’ dialogue, with very few slang terms and little cursing. This was a reflection of the fear of plays being removed from the stage because of perceived immoralities or offences to public decency. As a result Australian theatre was unable to present a true reflection of the Australian language, and therefore failed to represent its own country in a true light. In contrast, Lawler was able to avoid these set backs and set an example for future Australian productions. Thus prior to The Doll, Australian theatre was unsuccessful and failed to measure up to the standards of overseas productions. As a result, the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust was established in 1954 with the aim to assist and promote the growth of Australian theatre. With raised funds and grants from the Australian Government, the Trust began funding and subsidizing Australian theatre productions. The Trust’s achievement was awe inspiring for Australian drama. Summer of the Seventeenth Doll was its first truly Australian play. 6) Its performances were sold out throughout Australia, and went on to get world wide acclaim. A new era had begun, Australian drama was finally recognized. Lawler had successfully constructed a realistic representation of Australia that grasped a true and realistic Australian. He achieved this through the use of dialogue, setting, plot and characterization. This is why The Doll is viewed as important in the Australian theatre evolution. 7) Lawler’s construction of his characters set The Doll apart from prior Australian productions, and also helped revolutionize Australian theatre. Lawler’s characters come across to the audience as ordinary people with authentic and realistic constructions. Very unlike the characters in previous productions who were over emphasized and stereotypical†¦ 8) †¦He achieved this through the characterization techniques such as, similar values, dialogue and expressions of the average Australian of the time. Lawler gave his characters simple, colloquial speech, studded with Australian words such as, ‘strewth’, ‘larrikans’, and expressions including ‘up there Cazaly’ and even the occasional swear word. This relatively uncensored representation of characters set a new example for future productions and therefore helped in the evolution of Australian theatre. In conclusion, there is no doubt that The Doll was the turning point in Australian theatre history. It prompted a new evolution in theatre as proven by new battles for freedom of speech and an introduction to multicultural theatre. Most importantly The Doll inspired the production of many more Australian plays which received world wide acclaim. Australia finally found its national identity and The Doll had introduced a method of reproducing Australia’s wonderful culture onto both the Australian and international stage. That is why The Doll is important in the context of Australia’s theatre evolution.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Ist Corinthians Essays - Christology, Resurrection,

Ist Corinthians First Corinthians is a single, whole document written by Paul in the early 50's C.E. The letter was written in Ephesus, and intended for the members of a church that had been newly built in Corinth, Greece. Paul focused the correspondences, to the church, on some issues that were plaguing the citizens of Corinth. The issues included sex, Christian unity, behavior in the church, and resurrection. Through each correspondence, Paul gives rules and directions for the people of Corinth to follow. Paul's letters to Corinth were the most extensive correspondences to any one church or city in the entire New Testament. Paul converted to Christianity from Judaism because of a revelation of Jesus Christ. Now, Paul was traveling around northern Greece to churches in Phillipi, Thessalonica, and Beroea. Paul briefly stopped in Athens before taking a trip to Corinth. The fact that Paul was able to make this long trip shows the strength, stamina, and the deeply felt beliefs that carried Paul along the way. Paul stayed in the city of Corinth for about a year and a half, before sailing to Ephesus. It is from this city that Paul wrote the letters to the church in Corinth. The people of Corinth were by no means saints or angels. The Emperor, Augustus, made the city of Corinth the most luxurious and richest city in all of Greece, as well as the most inhabited. In fact, the city was the Greek capital in 27 C.E. By the time Paul arrived in 50 C.E., the city had a reputation for prosperity, trade and materialism. Corinth was also a large and very busy seaport that had many sailors, which would visit from all across Europe. These sailors were notorious for hanging around the legions of prostitutes that inhabited the city. The patron goddess was Aphrodite, and it was no surprise that many citizens of Corinth were engaging in sexual acts that they should not. It is for this very reason that Paul wrote two letters, setting forth the principles of sexual ethics that the people should follow. Also, the first letter to Corinth shows that early Christians were from different backgrounds, both rich and poor, not just the poor. It is this socioeconomic diversity tha t promotes different views and practices in the church. These different views and practices are what threatened the unity of the church in Corinth. This city was in dire need of the letters from Paul, to help show them the correct way to live their lives. The first thing that Paul wanted to do, was to end all the rivalries and problems among the Corinthians that were causing a division among the masses. As stated in 1 Corinthians 8-10, he wanted the people of Corinth to work together in a cooperative way that would be mutually beneficial to all. Now there were not that many in the congregation, maybe 50 or 100, but the group was divide into several cliques. It was the cliques that Paul wished to end. Differences in social, economic, and educational backgrounds were a big part of the reason why there was any division at all. These differences led to a competitive nature because of some groups thinking they were better, and more superior to other groups. Paul's belief was this, there was no difference if you were black, white, Greek or Roman, and each person is one in Jesus Christ. He was trying to show the people of Corinth that in the new faith, there was no place for either competitiveness or individual pride. In fact it was the prid e, or boastfulness that Paul aimed at the most. Paul knew that some of the citizens in Corinth thought themselves to be able to have a deeper understanding of things, than that of their fellow Christians. Paul wanted to put every citizen of Corinth on the same playing field intellectually. In fact, he let it be known to the citizens that they did not find Christ, Christ revealed himself to them, on his own accord. Paul also, in this first correspondence, tried to define the limits of a Christian's freedom. Paul wanted the people of Corinth to not even worry about Torah. Basically, the citizens were free