Thursday, December 26, 2019

Zheng He and the Treasure Fleet Timeline

Zheng He is justly famous as the commander in chief of seven voyages of Ming Chinas treasure fleet, between 1405 and 1433. The great Muslim eunuch admiral spread the word of Chinas wealth and power as far as Africa and brought countless emissaries and exotic goods back to China. Timeline June 11, 1360—Zhu Di born, fourth son of future Ming Dynasty founder. Jan. 23, 1368—Ming Dynasty founded. 1371—Zheng He born to Hui Muslim family in Yunnan, under birth name of Ma He. 1380—Zhu Di made Prince of Yan, sent to Beijing. 1381—Ming forces conquer Yunnan, kill Ma Hes father (who was still loyal to the Yuan Dynasty) and capture the boy. 1384—Ma He is castrated and sent to serve as a eunuch in the Prince of Yans household. June 30, 1398-July 13, 1402—Reign of the Jianwen Emperor. August 1399—Prince of Yan rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor. 1399—Eunuch Ma He leads Prince of Yans forces to victory at Zheng Dike, Beijing. July 1402—Prince of Yan captures Nanjing; the Jianwen Emperor (probably) dies in palace fire. July 17, 1402—The Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, becomes the Yongle Emperor. 1402-1405—Ma He serves as Director of Palace Servants, the highest eunuch post. 1403—Yongle Emperor orders the construction of a huge fleet of treasure junks at Nanjing. Feb. 11, 1404—Yongle Emperor awards Ma He the honorific name Zheng He. July 11, 1405-Oct. 2 1407—First voyage of the Treasure Fleet, led by Admiral Zheng He, to Calicut, India. 1407—Treasure Fleet defeats pirate Chen Zuyi at Straights of Malacca; Zheng He takes pirates to Nanjing for execution. 1407-1409—Second Voyage of Treasure Fleet, again to Calicut. 1409-1410—Yongle Emperor and Ming army battle the Mongols. 1409-July 6, 1411—Third Voyage of Treasure Fleet to Calicut. Zheng He intervenes in a Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) succession dispute. Dec. 18, 1412-August 12, 1415—Fourth Voyage of the Treasure Fleet to the Straits of Hormuz, on the Arabian Peninsula. Capture of the pretender Sekandar in Semudera (Sumatra) on return trip. 1413-1416—Yongle Emperors second campaign against the Mongols. May 16, 1417—Yongle Emperor enters the new capital city at Beijing, leaves Nanjing forever. 1417-August 8, 1419—Fifth Voyage of the Treasure Fleet, to Arabia and East Africa. 1421-Sept. 3, 1422—Sixth Voyage of the Treasure Fleet, to East Africa again. 1422-1424—Series of campaigns against the Mongols, led by the Yongle Emperor. Aug. 12, 1424—Yongle Emperor suddenly dies of a possible stroke while fighting the Mongols. Sept. 7, 1424—Zhu Gaozhi, the eldest son of the Yongle Emperor, becomes the Hongxi Emperor. Orders a stop to the Treasure Fleet voyages. May 29, 1425—The Hongxi Emperor dies. His son Zhu Zhanji becomes the Xuande Emperor. June 29, 1429—The Xuande Emperor orders Zheng He to take one more voyage. 1430-1433—Seventh and final Voyage of the Treasure Fleet travels to Arabia and East Africa. 1433, Exact date unknown—Zheng He dies and is buried at sea on the return leg of the seventh and  final voyage. 1433-1436—Zheng Hes companions Ma Huan, Gong Zhen and Fei Xin publish accounts of their travels.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Contemporary Management - 1199 Words

IRHR1001- Essay The Primary Article is: Carroll, S. and Gillen, D. (1987) Are the Classical Management Functions Useful in Describing Managerial Work? Academy of Management Review 12(1), pp. 38-51. The essay will endeavor to provide an insight into how Fayol’s basic principles of Classical Management Functions are indeed useful in describing managerial work. In the last (20th) century, the role of managers in business becomes more diverse as the number of tasks in which businesses were involved in significantly grew in quantity and complexity. As a result there was an increased interest in the most effective and efficient method of management. This led to the development of different management theories, which included classical†¦show more content†¦Having noted this, the primary article also acknowledges that the highlighted functions may need to be expanded as different managers have different goals to achieve which might require them to use some additional functions. This is an idea that is supported in the article ‘Successful VS. Effective Real Managers’ which goes into detail about how the differences in goals to be achieved separates successfu l managers from effective managers and how their approach, in terms of management functions, is different. Effective managers tend to focus on the basic classical management functions as this is makes it easier, because they find that the less the steps they have to carry out the better they are able to manage them. Having said all this one could argue that the article and readings agree that Classical Management Functions are useful in describing managerial work as they all suggest that managerial work can be based through the principles of Planning, Controlling, Commanding and coordinating (Fayol’s principles of Classical Management Functions). Thanks to the nature of and change in which businesses operate, it is essential for management functions to expand and adapt to meet these changes. 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Monday, December 9, 2019

Belonging represented in Peter Essay Example For Students

Belonging represented in Peter Essay As illustrated in Peter Jerkinesss Immigrant Chronicle poetry, having a strong sense of self-knowledge understanding and a deep connection to ones own culture, beliefs and values develops a feeling of belonging to and knowing ones self, and in turn, a strong sense of belonging to humanity. Feline Crooknecks, SST Patriots College and 10 Mary Street all support this thesis and position the reader to consider the concepts of belonging from the perspective of someone who feels alienated, excluded and alone. The poem Feline Crooknecks tells us of Pewters father, his life, and his clear sense of belonging. It explores the concepts of familial, cultural and self-belonging, and reveals the regretful feelings of Peter, in relation to his alienation, his familys migration and the filial bond with his father. The clear and possibly most significant message of the poem is that belonging comes from within, and requires an accepting and peaceful attitude. These concepts are expressed through the use of poetic devices and language techniques, which show the differences between the attitudes of father and son. The admiration Peter has for his father is evident in the first line -My gentle father. The use of the word gentle introduces Feline as a kind, peaceful man, and the possessive pronoun my can suggest a sense of ownership or the yearning to be associated with Feline. The fathers independence and emotional self- efficiency is evident in the first stanza Kept pace only with the Joneses of his own minds making. The reference to The Joneses is important to consider, as it not only refers to mainstream society, but Australian mainstream society. It shows that Feline is at peace with himself and has retained his own cultural beliefs, despite being pressured to assimilate and adopt a new way of life, and in result, has a strong sense of belonging. The repeated reference to Feline garden shows his compassion, connection with nature and dedication, and also his willingness to work hard. It signifies something that belongs to him, in a foreign and unfamiliar world. Throughout the poem, ideals of language are discussed. This shows language as a factor of belonging, and that it can be seen as a potential barrier that prevents the development of belonging. The language indifference between father, son and the community illustrates this barrier, and presents cultural identity as a concept of inclusion and belonging. As the distance between Peter and his Polish heritage grows, Feline accepts that his son, growing up in Australia, cannot adopt the same sense of cultural belonging that he has. While Feline is at peace and accepts the unavoidable, Peter has a completely different attitude. He feels a strong sense of regret and affliction towards his past, and feels that if only he had embraced his Polish culture, he would have belonged in his family. However, this is not the case. Peter felt isolated because he failed to form a strong connection with his inner self, not because he adopted the Australian way of life. As Peter has not developed a strong sense of self-belonging, he does not feel at peace, and does not realism that the cultural indifference and eventual complete disconnection between father and son was inevitable. Peter Crooknecks expresses feelings of regret throughout the poem, which can reveal he does not truly understand the concept of belonging. His fathers beliefs and circumstances provide a contrast to Pewters perspective and suggest that the poets reflection of his childhood and adolescence is not relative t the concepts of truly belonging that acceptance and self-sufficiency lead to a strop sense of belonging to ones self, and therefore, to humanity. Peter realizes that to truly belong somewhere or with someone, you must firstly establish a strong sense self. In addition, Pewters regret indicates a yearning to belong to his family and ultra. Sunday Morning - Wallace Steven’s EssayHe has not explored TTL so therefore does not value what the motto is jugs means embracing your own identity, and as Peter s poem, without embracing your own identity, you ca with alienating circumstances that can prevail at e did not belong to himself, SST Patriots College was n the line For eight years emphasizes the words to the effect of suggesting that even after eight years, Peter still felt isolated at school. The eight years Pee like a prison sentence. A statue of the Virgin Mary Meant to act as a welcoming figure at the entrance makes Peter feel afraid and anxious. The line UNC indicates that even after almost a decade, the stats figure of fear for the poet. The last four lines show yearning for approval. The recurrence of his mot seen as Peter blaming his mother for his poor expel dominantly represented in the poem by showing idea that belonging cannot be achieved without e Peter tells the reader how his mothers desire to co expectations has led to his feelings of unhappiness The poem 10 Mary Street focuses on describing t ensue of belonging it provides. It presents different through representations of people, relationships, p stanza, a key represents a sense of comfort, owner sense of continuous routine. The key symbolizes the leads to ownership of the home, which leads to owe belonging. The poems constant references to the support this idea. As the house will soon be pulled feelings of contentment and security will be lost. T to a key towards the end of the poem suggests a did disconnection, discomfort and disruption, as after will be useless, and therefore powerless. A familial nourishment is created using poetic devices. The is hyperbolic Bursting at the seams imply that Pete much love and care. The cultural heritage of the FAA with reference to cultural and social aspects such cigarettes. The lines heated discussions and embed passion and strong sense of belonging to their cult house The house stands in its china-blue coat of a strong, stoic and, perhaps even, noble house. Characteristics can also position the reader to view receptive the family has a strong connection with part of the family. The use of parentheses in the the been gazettes for industry) could be considered indicate extra and unimportant information, but the airily significant, and outlines a major event in the lives of the family. An important message of this poem is that the family will once more feel as though they do not belong, continuing the constant struggle faced by a family forced to dismiss what leads to self-belonging, and living in a country where they feel as though they do not truly belong. These families, like Peter Jerkinesss, are often met with the challenge of fighting exclusion, and remaining true to their culture and to themselves which, in essence, is the key to belonging. Peter Jerkinesss poems Feline Crooknecks, SST Patriots College and 10 Mary Street envoy a strong sense of belonging by exploring the concepts of not only feeling accepted and allied, but also displaced and insecure.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Mother Courage and Her Children Play Overview

'Mother Courage and Her Children' Play Overview Mother Courage and Her Children mixes dark humor, social commentary, and tragedy. The title character, Mother Courage, travels across war-weary Europe selling alcohol, food, clothing, and supplies to soldiers on both sides. As she struggles to improve her fledgling business, Mother Courage loses her adult children, one after another. The Setting Set in Poland, Germany, and other parts of Europe, Mother Courage and Her Children spans the years 1624 to 1636. This period is during the Thirty Years War, a conflict that pitted Protestant armies against Catholic forces and resulted in an enormous loss of life.   The Title Character Anna Fierling (aka Mother Courage) has been enduring for a long time, traveling with nothing except a supply wagon pulled along by her adult children: Eilif, Swiss Cheese, and Kattrin. Throughout the play, though she does show concern for her children, she seems more interested in profit and financial security than the safety and well-being of her offspring. She has a love/hate relationship with war. She loves war because of its potential economic benefits. She hates war because of its destructive, unpredictable nature. She has the nature of a gambler, always trying to guess just how long the war will last so that she can take a risk and buy more supplies to sell. She fails dreadfully as a parent when she is focused on her business. When she fails to keep track of her eldest son, Eilif, he joins the army. When Mother Courage tries to haggle for the life of her second son (Swiss Cheese), she offers a low payment in exchange for his freedom. Her stinginess results in his execution. Eilif is also executed. Although his death is not a direct result of her choices, she misses her only chance to visit with him because she is at the market working her business instead of at church, where Eilif expects her to be. Near the plays conclusion, Mother Courage is again absent when her daughter Kattrin martyrs herself in order to save innocent townspeople. Despite losing all of her children by the end of the play, it is arguable that Mother Courage never learns anything, thus never experiences an epiphany or transformation. In his editorial notes, Brecht explains that  it is not incumbent on the playwright to give Mother Courage insight at the end. Rather, Brechts protagonist catches a glimpse of social awareness in scene six, but it is quickly lost and never to be regained as the war wears on, year after year. Eilif, the Brave Son The eldest and most independent of Annas children, Eilif is persuaded by a recruiting officer who lures him with talk of glory and adventure. Despite his mothers protests, Eilif enlists. Two years later, the audience sees him again. He is thriving as a soldier who slaughters peasants and loots civilian farms to support his armys cause. He rationalizes his actions by saying necessity knows no law. In scene eight, during a brief time of peace, Eilif steals from a peasant household and murders a woman in the process. He does not understand the difference between killing during wartime (which his peers consider an act of bravery) and killing during peacetime (which his peers consider a crime punishable by death). Mother Courages friends, the chaplain and the cook, do not tell her about Eilifs execution. At the end of the play, she still believes she has one child left alive. Swiss Cheese, the Honest Son Why is he named Swiss Cheese? Because hes good at pulling wagons. Thats Brechts humor for you! Mother Courage claims that her second son has a fatal flaw: honesty. However, this good-natured characters real downfall might be his indecision. When he is hired to be a paymaster for the Protestant army, his duty is torn between the rules of his superiors and his loyalty to his mother. Because he cannot successfully negotiate those two opposing forces, he is ultimately captured and executed. Kattrin, Mother Courages Daughter By far the most sympathetic character in the play, Kattrin is unable to speak. According to her mother, she is in constant danger of being physically and sexually abused by soldiers. Mother Courage often insists that Kattrin wear unseemly clothes and be covered in dirt to draw attention away from her feminine charms. When Kattrin is injured, resulting in a scar on her face, Mother Courage considers it a blessing - now, Kattrin is less likely to be assaulted. Kattrin wants to find a husband. However, her mother keeps putting it off, insisting that they must wait until peacetime (which never arrives during Kattrins adult life). Kattrin desperately wants a child of her own. When she learns that children might be murdered by soldiers, she sacrifices her life by drumming loudly and waking up the townspeople so they are not caught by surprise. Although she perishes, the children (and many other civilians) are saved. Therefore, even without children of her own, Kattrin proves to be far more motherly than the title character. About the Playwright  Bertolt Brech Bertolt (sometimes spelled Berthold) Brecht lived from 1898 to 1956. He was raised by a middle-class German family, despite some of his claims that he had an impoverished childhood. Early in his youth, he discovered a love for the theater that would become his means of creative expression as well as a form of political activism. Brecht fled Nazi Germany before the onset of World War II. In 1941, his anti-war play Mother Courage and Her Children was performed for the first time, premiering in Switzerland. After the war, Brecht moved to Soviet-occupied East Germany, where he directed a revised production of the same play in 1949. Source: Brecht, Bertolt. Mother Courage and Her Children. Grove Press, September 11, 1991.