European Colonization of the Caribbean Essay Example for Free

European Colonization of the Caribbean Essay The Spanish conquests in the Americas encouraged other European countries to expand their domains in the New World. In the latter half of the 16th century, Portugal conquered Brazil in the hope of upsetting Spain in South America. Between 1690 and 1650, the French, Dutch, and English made unsuccessful attempts to occupy the northern coasts of Brazil and the neighboring islands of St. Kitts and the Leeward Islands. However, with the onset of the Thirty Years War, Spain began to weaken. His colonial possessions in the Caribbean were occupied by the English, French, and the Dutch. Spanish and Portugal Conquests Checked Generally, the arrival of other European countries in the New World (with the thought of conquest) forced Spain and Portugal to limit their conquest. For example, in 1621, the Dutch attacked several Spanish colonies in the Caribbean and succeeded in occupying the islands of Curacao, St. Martin, and Araya. The acquisition of vast mount of gold by the Spaniards in the New World attracted the attention of other powers. To their minds, God does not wish the world to be divided only between Spain and Portugal (Treaty of Tordesillas). They wanted a significant share in the wealth of the Americas. The Political and Economic System in Europe The Thirty Years War (to which Spain was heavily involved) forced Spain to cut expenditures at home and raise taxes and quotas in the Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico). In addition, the Spaniards began to implement the plantation system to increase revenues (to finance her wars in Europe). Trade was limited to Spain and he American colonies. The reason is clear: if trade was opened to other European countries, the prospect of a unidirectional prosperity would be prevented (other nations would benefit from the trade). This system is called the ‘mercantilist system. ’ Impact of Mercantilism in the Caribbean and the Outcome Precious metals (gold, silver) became the basis of the mercantilist system. It served as the medium of exchange between the colonies and the mother country. Mines were established all throughout the Caribbean in order to maintain the flow of metals to the mother country. To fasten the procurement of precious metals, the Spaniards (and other Europeans) utilize slave labor (African slaves). In some sense, Spanish wealth (based on precious metals and product quotas) was essentially created by slave labor (which was very oppressive and unchristian). The wealth Spain accumulated from the New World also attracted the attention of pirates. They were of two types: buccaneer and marooner. Buccaneer is a group of pirates that had bases in the Caribbean (in a sense, they were considered the most powerful type of pirate). Marooner is a generic term applied to Spaniards who deserted the Spanish Navy to harass Spanish shipping lines in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Society and European Influences Caribbean society was modeled after European society. Some of the influences are as follows: 1) adoption of Catholicism as the main religion (in the case of Spain), 2) Baroque and Gothic architecture, 3) European city planning, and 4) the plantation system. At the top of the plantation system was the landowner. The manager (usually a relative of the owner) was in the middle position. At the bottom were the slaves and the serfs (local population serving in the plantation). The slaves were often treated harshly by the Europeans. They perceived them as members of an inferior race destined to serve white men’s greed. The same case (though not as oppressive as that of slaves) could be said about women. Women were confined to households, serving their masters with much dedication (by force) as that of serfs. Racial Hierarchy in the Caribbean Race played an important role in Caribbean society. Race served as the determining factor of administration; a form of societal control. The Europeans were at the top of the racial hierarchy. At the bottom were the slaves, the local population, and Chinese traders (which were seen with contempt by the Europeans). The European themselves were racially categorized. The peninsulares were Europeans born in their mother countries. The insulares were pure Europeans born in the colonies. The mestizos were of European and Indian descent. Women played a minor role in Caribbean society. They were confined to household chores (like cooking and child rearing). Maroonage strained Spain’s resources in the New World. The revenues derived by Spain from plantations (the same case with other Europeans) were taken by the maroons (on the way to Spain). The oppressive policies of the Spaniards in Cuba led to the Ten Years War. The slaves and the local population rose in arms against Spanish rule. Reference Toynbee, Arnold. 1989. History of the World. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.

The Development of the Centre for Migration Studies Irish Emigration Da

The Development of the Centre for Migration Studies Irish Emigration Database In 1988 the Ulster American Folk Park (UAFP) near Omagh in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland began to set up a computerised Irish Emigration Database (IED) in its library. This was a ground-breaking project at that time and was immediately beset by problems of all kinds, the details of which will be explained later. By 1997 the Folk Park’s library had expanded to become the Centre for Emigration Studies and eventually the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS). The latter is now funded jointly by the Scotch-Irish Trust of Ulster in partnership with DCAL (Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure) and the five Education and Library Boards of Northern Ireland. In this paper I recount the experiences we had and the positive results that arose from them in the hope that this will help others who are planning to set up similar databases (1). EARLY HISTORY The concept of a computerised IED had been discussed in the early 1980s at the UAFP. In 1987, Graham Kirkham, of the new University of Ulster in Coleraine, had completed a feasibility study in various archives which held material on Irish emigration. These were the Linenhall, Central & Queen's University libraries in Belfast, the Public Record Office, N. Ireland (PRONI) and the Public Record Office (now the National Archives), in Kew in London. This feasibility study covered only a small percentage of the material available as time allotted to do this research was limited to three months. Initially, the project was funded by a company named Digital and organized by the Department of Education. Digital donated hardware and provided software solutions for the project. John Gilmour, the Education Officer at the UA... ...Human error is always possible in the transcription of our documents. Therefore to have both copies available whether in PRONI or the Database is important. If quotes are to be used it is always best to consult the original. However the numerous advantages of using a Historical Database far outweigh any negative issues and this is what has kept the project moving forward over the past sixteen years. In future there should be easier methods of collecting information. We have always tried to be innovative over the years and will continue to be so in the future. Notes (1) Tennant, Lorraine, â€Å"The Irish Emigration Database,† Journal of Scotch-Irish Studies, Vol 1, No 1 (Spring 2000) pp120-124 (2) Des McMorrow Former ICT Manager at the Centre for Migration Studies (3) Ibid (4) Patrick Morgan of Morgan Software. (5) Bryan A Follis, PRONI, June 1988

Driving force in the lives of many people Essay

Nowadays materialism is a driving force in the lives of many people, motivating them to their achievements as many people argue. Although, it is considered that humans are controlled by their own avarice, I believe that people are simply motivated to achieve by personal satisfaction. As cynical as I am, I do not think that money and fame are a stimulus to people. Rather they accomplish their goals for personal and emotion gain, not physical. When recently learning the topic of motivation in my Psychology class, we discussed what the main driving force is for a person. Though there are many theories arguing the issue, a person can be mostly content when fulfilling a goal for their own personal satisfaction, not for a physical reward. When this subject, I also learned that one’s happiness and self-esteem are one of the major aspects of being a well-balanced person. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs includes psychological and emotional needs as the highest priority. With this I can conclude that those who strive to achieve goals do it for their own bliss. Money and fame may seem like the a dream come true , but like it is always said, â€Å"money can’t buy you happiness†. There are countless numbers of wealthy people and celebrities who live lavish lives that anyone else would die to have, but they are as miserable and lonely as one can be. I find it beautiful that in today’s society people strive to pursue their own interests without having the end result of money leading their decisions. There is a countless number of underprivileged, even poor artists, journalists, musicians, writers, etc. that enjoy their life fully, waking up every day to go to a job they simply love. Thus, money and fame can never be a satisfying reward without happiness. All in all, in my opinion, people are motivated to achieve by personal satisfaction rather than a physical reward such as money or fame. I consider that contentment is more important than anything to a human being, because fulfilling something for money or fame can lead to disappointment, thus straining ones emotional needs. We ask ourselves: what motivates us, to get up every morning, to go to school, to study, to wear what we wear, to act how we act? We do it basically to satisfy our needs, no to reward us with a prize, but because it is what we want, what makes us happy, and what pleases us emotionally.

The New Zealand Positive Aging Strategy Essay - 1406 Words

The New Zealand positive aging strategy promotes the participation of older adults in communities. The government believes that the older adults have a greater opportunities to provide to the society with their valued knowledge and skills. Since the older adults need their dignity and respect in the society, it is important to the government as due to the growing rate of the older adults is increasing. (â€Å"New Zealand Positive Aging Strategy†, 2001). This report in detail will provide the theme of the policy and also to provide the background of the policy made by the government and also for the reason for its development. It will also identify the issues affecting the policy and also compares with other another country discussing about the theme of their policy for the older adults. The life expectancy data is also compared to identity the factors that influence the positive aging for older adults and also for the policy in the chosen country. The aim of the policy is to p rovide the opportunities for older people to participate in the community of their choosing. This policy was created to identify the barriers for the older adults participation and to work collectively from all other sectors to provide a balance of needs between the older and the younger generations in the future. . (â€Å"New Zealand Positive Aging Strategy†, 2001). According to the positive ageing reference group which consist of community representatives who are appointed by the Minister for senior citizensShow MoreRelatedMarketing1680 Words   |  7 Pagestoiletries market. In terms of product function, skin whitening, anti-aging and moisturiser are the three most popular products. Anti-aging products are around 30 percent of the skincare product market. 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