Abstract
This paper examines how during his reign, the medieval emperor Charlemagne came to dominate Europe and create an empire of a scale not seen since classical times. It looks at how he created a renaissance of learning, the arts and culture in Europe. It analyzes how the empire was achieved through a number of important military victories and how after the death of Charlemagne it became quickly divided and fragmented. It puts forward the argument that his educational and cultural achievements were greater and more durable than his military and political achievements even though his educational and cultural achievements were often fundamentally dependent on or instrumental in his military and political coups.

From the Paper
"Charlemagne instilled a great deal of importance in historical texts. He realized the importance of annals and other historical texts in creating a sense of history and of collective national identity. It was very important to build up texts of the history of the Carolingians as part of the empire's pursuit of legitimacy. An example of an historical text which had a clear political impact and related strongly to Charlemagne's military achievements was Paul the Deacon's "Hisotira Langobardorum". This was a history of Lombardy. According to Mckitterick this history was "an active contribution to the shaping of Frankish and Lombard relations." This work actively portrayed the Carolingians as natural heirs to Lombardy."

Tags:arts, christendom, conquest, emperor, king, medieval

Abstract
This paper studies the strategy of King Charles V to become a great Renaissance superpower and analyzes and evaluates whether these plans to bring his vast Empire that was a Euro skeptics nightmare together were bound to fail. It looks at the factors that influenced Charles V planning and policy making, the extension of the power of the Hapsburg dynasty throughout Europe, the unity of his domains, the defense of Catholic Europe against enemies from within, the problem of Lutheranism from within Germany and the almost continuous conflict with France and the threat of Turkish invasion.

From the Paper
"Charles strategy was that he always tried to be in the part of his Empire were he was most needed and were loyalty and unity appeared to be seeping. For example to promote unity in Spain Charles made a real effort to pose as the good Spaniard by staying in Spain for seven years from 1522-29, learning to speak Spanish and by marrying a Portuguese wife Isabella. This was also a necessary strategy as Charles must have appeared wholly foreign to his subjects, and being foreign would not inspire loyalty and unity. During his stay in Spain Charles established a monarchical relationship with the Spanish towns by
listening to the petitions of his Spanish subjects, and Charles removed corrupt administrators and officials to restore business and economic confidence."

Tags:empire, erasmus, henry, hapsburg, isabella, france

Abstract
This paper examines how history enlightens us that Churchill was excluded from office for a decade between 1929 and 1939 due to the fact that many political party members distrusted him and how nevertheless, Winston Churchill politically was just as effective (at that period in time) out of office as he would have been in it. It looks at how the 1930s generated many doubts over Churchill's political career and attempts to reveal why Churchill's political rivals buried him, why his enemies cut him off and why he was politically isolated out of money and power and was compelled to switch allegiances to other political parties for his own beneficial purposes. It also incorporates evidence that emphasises that it was Churchill's anxieties of attaining the British Empire at all costs (imperialism of India) and of initiating the belief that Hitler wasn't to be trusted, that British rearmament was necessary and that appeasement with the Germans was dishonourable.

From the Paper
"Credit where credit is due, artistically and journalistically Churchill was a fine painter and writer (he earned a respectable 30 thousand a year doing it) however, as far as money and the economy was concerned, Churchill was far from the economist expert he thought he was. Because not only did he lose a fortune in the stock exchange when Wall Street crashed in 1929 (he had to get a friend to bail him out), he also lost the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Conservatives were defeated at the election that was brought about by the collapse in world economy."

Tags:chamberlain, hitler, british, empire, germany

Abstract
An analysis of Stalinism, his dictatorship and personal style of leadership. The author examines the dictator's measures of leadership and their consequences on the social world.

From the Paper
"One wonders what would possess a man to such extreme lengths of cruelty and severity. As Adam Ulam observes, "the poverty and harshness of Stalin's early life left indelible imprints on him. Quite early in life he became a crude, unsentimental, and mistrustful person, tormented by an inferiority complex and very ambitious. Always displaying contempt for the traditions of kinship and personal friendship, usually so important to Georgians"( Ulman 20)".

Tags:dictator, russia, soviet, stalin, stalinism, ussr, wwii

Abstract
The paper shows how Napoleon failed to match Britain's economic policies of a sound currency, direct taxation of the rich, naval power and a consolidated national bank. It shows that the army drained the French economy, so taxes rose and hyperinflation took place. This led to mass unemployment and high bread prices after the 1811 harvest. As confidence waned, the bourgeoisie deserted Napoleon, and the country was in disarray. Napoleon was a military genius who was far ahead of his counterparts in the early 1800's. However, his opponents modernized their military strategies and brought themselves up to his level. The paper shows that Napoleon allowed the French economy to stagnate while being shored up by short term finances stemming from military victories. Ultimately, this greatly contributed to the collapse of the Empire and Napoleon's eventual defeat.

From the Paper
"Financial issues played a major part in the conflicts and developments of the 18th and 19th centuries. Sound fiscal policy was the key to whether a nation could feed its people and supply its armed forces. Finance, and tax in particular, had been significant in bringing down the ancient regime in France. J.R Stephenson described Chartism as "a knife and fork question, a bread and cheese question" and there is certainly much truth in the assumption that radical feelings and societal insecurity are at their greatest during times of economic depression. Therefore a sound economy was paramount for a prosperous and harmonious nation."

Tags:continental, directory, pitt, Dundas

Abstract
A variety of reasons influenced Khrushchev's decision to install missiles into Cuba, including pressures from home, the U.S., Europe, China, and Cuba itself. This essay examines the importance of the different factors, and in doing so challenges the often held theory that Kennedy won, and Khrushchev lost.

From the Paper
"In international opinion, the Soviet Union was largely held to have been defeated in the Cuban Missile Crisis, having been 'successfully rebuffed' by John F. Kennedy, who had displayed 'cool nerve during an extraordinarily dangerous situation' . Such was the nature of the Soviet Union's perceived defeat that it influenced a break in Sino-Soviet relations; the Chinese viewing the Soviet Union's withdrawal of nuclear missiles in response to a U.S. quarantine as a sign of their weak resolve in the face of U.S. strength; thus, the Soviet Union did not warrant her status as the protector of world communism. In the West, the Soviet Union was widely regarded as having been the aggressor, and her placing of missiles in Cuba was an aggressive policy which could have resulted in nuclear war. Khrushchev defended himself, claiming that his sole purpose had been in 'protecting the freedom-loving people of Cuba' , a purpose in which he had been entirely successful as he had stalled imminent U.S. military action against Cuba, and had extracted a promise from the U.S. not to support action against Cuba in the future. However, none of these viewpoints reflected the full picture. Khrushchev had never intended nuclear war, neither had he solely sought to protect Cuba from U.S. aggression. Indeed, Khrushchev can be shown to have had a wide range of aims and objectives, some realized, some failed, but which question the plausibility of his perceived 'defeat'."

Tags:castro, china, communist, cuba, kennedy, khruschev, missile, soviet, united, ussr

Abstract
In this paper the writer puts forward the reasons that account for the growth in Perestroika, such as the economic decline and social despair suffered by the populations of Russia and the countries of Communist Eastern Europe. It also looks at the man who was responsible for the introduction of Perestroika, Mikhail Gorbachev and why he wanted to introduce Perestroika.

From the Paper
"The Soviet Union and its satellite countries were on a continual downward spiral from the late 50's and 60's. Ruled from Moscow, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe was suffering a very poor economy and social conditions such as housing, welfare and food supply. Leonid Brezhnev, who became Secretary General of the Soviet Communist Party in 1964, reinforced the strict regime of communism. All private ownership in Russia was ended, a mass programme of industrialization was started and the Soviet military strength was significantly enhanced."

Tags:cold war, Eastern Europe, Glasnost, Gorbachev, Perestroika, Russia, Soviet Union

Abstract
This paper analyzes the question of whether the 21st Century has seen a dramatic shift in the principles of US foreign policy, examining the foreign policy principles adopted by both G.W. Bush's and Obama's administrations. The paper asserts that both administrations, while following similar goals in general, showed distinctive differences in the approaches to the foreign policy. The paper explains that Bush's initial approach to the foreign affairs was drastically transformed by the attacks of 9/11 and changed to a hybrid mixture of realism and idealism and that Obama has demonstrated his commitment to embrace diplomatic and multilateral relations while building partnerships and cooperating with allies. The paper goes on to clarify that although Obama still promotes continued American leadership, development of democratic societies and shows commitment to American values as the foundation for his actions, his approach to the foreign policy is pragmatic and not ideological, which can be seen as another shift from the previous administrations. The paper concludes that, with the second year of the new administration unfolding, it remains to be seen whether these changes will last and how great the transformation will be at the end.

Outline:
Introduction
Bush's Administration and 9/11
National Security Policy
Global Economy and Environment
A Change Under Obama Administration?
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
"A distinct departure from the previous administrations appears to be Obama's approach towards the issue of nuclear proliferation. He has adopted a view that is popular among many security experts - that the vision of a nuclear weapons-free world along with practical steps to achieve this is the best protection against the rising nuclear threats (Cirincione, 2010, p.122). However, from a different perspective, Thayer (2010, p.3-4) argues, that, despite Obama's initial rhetoric, his administration is a purely realist one. Having realised the problems with Iran, US is quietly preparing for a nuclear-armed Iran and adjusting alliances and military force structure accordingly. He further identifies similarities between the Bush's and Obama's administrations not only with regards to Afghanistan and Iraq but also in the foreign policies towards Russia and China."

Tags:unilaterial, idealism, realism, idealogy, pragmatic, reaction, nuclear, 9, 11

Abstract
The paper explains why made Alexander the Great was one of the finest military commanders in history. The composition and organization of the army are analyzed and his tactics used in his four great battles.

From the Paper
"Alexander the Great ascended to the throne at a time when the Macedonian empire was at a crossroads, yet within ten years of coming to power in 336BC Alexander was within striking distance of the Indus valley after destroying the greatest empire the world had ever seen up to that point. The noted military tactician and historian J.F.C Fuller says of Alexander's succession to the throne, "When Philip was assassinated Alexander was barely twenty years of age and as yet so inexperienced and untried that it seemed to all Greece that the Macedonian empire was about to dissolve." The description of Alexander by Arrian as "always masterly" says a lot of his capability as a general, but Alexander had inherited numerous advantages from Philip II. This essay will seek to demonstrate whether or not Alexander was a tactical genius or not, on and off the battlefield. I will now go on to discuss the advantages that Alexander had inherited from Philip II."

Tags:alexander, great, ii, macedonia, military, philip, tactics, war, 336BC, greece, philip, II, persia

Abstract
This paper looks at how Gandhi used non-violence and peaceful protest as a weapon against British Imperial Rule throughout the early twentieth century. The paper looks at key events such as the Quit India protest, the two World Wars and the involvement of Irish nationalists. Gandhi's actions are considered within the global events that shaped Britian's ability to take action against Gandhi: Gandhi was not the only reason the British eventually left India!

From the Paper
"Throughout the ages mankind often instinctively turns to the use of violence to defeat an enemy. Violence is part and parcel of the culture of human beings. And yet one of the greatest freedom struggles in modern history was apparently won through the specific rejection of violence, and the active use of a policy of non-violence. That struggle was between the Indian independence movement and the British colonial administration. At the head of that independence movement was Mahatma Gandhi, a simple Indian who held no office or great wealth, and yet was able to unite a whole subcontinent against the British Empire. Not only that, but he did it in such a peaceful, virtuous way that he made the British question their own morals and eventually forced them out of India. This is the general version that is recorded in history. However, this version of events generally ignores the other forces that influenced the British to withdraw from the Empire in India. Here we will critically examine the view that the use of non-violence was the main reason for the ending of British rule in India, by examining the true organizational nature of non-violent civil disobedience and other events, British and global."

Tags:independence, Mohandas, Mahatma, Hindu, passive, resistance, campaigns, defense, Raja, Viceroy, Lord, Irwin, World, War, II