The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation Among Teens - 1080 Words

Alarm clocks are arguably the worst sound in the world. People across the globe dread the penetrating sound, for it lures them out of sleep. In most cases, sleep is interrupted hours before the brain has achieved adequate Non-Rapid Eye Movement rest. Teenagers suffer from sleep deprivation due to the early school start times. The teenage body functions best between the hours of 8:30am-11:00pm, yet schools start earlier than 8:30am. Five out of six schools throughout the nation start prior to 8:30 AM, and the average start time for American high schools is 8:03 AM. Due to this, two out of three high school students are getting less than eight hours of sleep because of their school’s start time. Inadequate sleep is dangerous to the human†¦show more content†¦Not only are teenagers prone to increased risks for substance abuse, but researchers also observed an increase in dangerous health conditions. â€Å"Adolescents who do not get enough sleep are more likely to: be o verweight, not engage in daily physical activity, suffer from depressive symptoms, engage in unhealthy risk behaviors such as drinking, smoking tobacco, and using illicit drugs, and perform poorly in school† (Schools Start Too Early 1). Obesity is a spiraling effect, for it does not end with excess fat. Teeangers can experience high blood pressure, high choleserol, and be more prone to heart attacks. These health conditions have an overall negative effect on a person’s well being. If schools were to delay their start times, then the percentage of teenagers receiving more than eight hours of sleep per night would increase. Schools should delay their start times, for it will positively benefit students and the community alike because both groups will receive more sleep and spend more time with their families. The aforementioned study conducted at the University of Michigan reported several key positive benefits amongst students. â€Å"Other positive findings include a significant reduction in local car crashes, less absenteeism, less tardiness, as well as higher test scores on national achievement tests† (Wahlstrom, Dretzke, Gordon, Peterson, Edwards, and Gdula 56). Delaying a school’s start time will also positively affect the community. â€Å"...70

Sociology- Marxism - 1579 Words

‘Social Order exists because people are afraid to disobey the rules of society.’ Explain and assess this claim. [25] Social order is the rules and regulations that are in place to steer human behaviour. It is the tool that prevents continuous conflict, violence and instability. A society that has succeeded in creating social order is one in which each member of society has the ability to live, to a degree, a stable life. There are two ways in which the States enforce social order: informal and formal social control. Informal control is the process of socialization from a young age. It is based on learning what is acceptable and what isn’t from those around you. Functionalists say that informal social order is produced through the†¦show more content†¦The bourgeoisie maintain this by being the creators of dominant ideas of each era and so remain in control of the economy and in power. Marxist criticizes the functionalist’s explanation of ‘value consensus’ because they don’t believe that there is one set of values in society. Marxists say that people in the working class live in a state of ‘false consciousness’ because they are so influenced by the dominant class that they don’t see the extent to which they are being exploited. Marx says that there are two ways that the Bourgeoisie control society: Repressive State Apparatus and Ideological state apparatus. Repressive State apparatus is ruling by force through the use of the Army, Police, Courts and Jail. On a deeper level the Territorial Army and Death. An example of this is the case of Ian Tomlinson who collapsed and died during the G-20 summit protests. Tomlinson was not a protestor nor was he giving any grief or disrespect to the police. So when video footage was released showing Tomlinson being struck by a policeman with a baton it became clear that this was now a criminal investigation. When Tomlinson was struck he had been walking away from the police with his hands in his pockets. Harwood, the policeman in question, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and was acquitted a year after theShow MoreRelatedMarxism (Sociology)2205 Words   |  9 PagesAQA AS/A SOCIOLOGY ESSAY: CRITICALLY EXAMINE MARXIST PERSPECTIVES ON TODAY’S SOCIETY Classical Marxism is a conflict structural theory which argues that, rather than society being based on value consensus as functionalists would co ntend, there is a conflict of interest between different groups (social classes) because of the unequal distribution of power and wealth. Marxists are also interested in the way in which social change can occur, particularly in sudden and revolutionary ways. However, thereRead MoreTheories Of Sociology : Functionalism And Marxism Essay1894 Words   |  8 PagesThis essay will aim to outline and criticise two critical theories of sociology: Functionalism and Marxism; while exploring their approach towards education in society. As a result, reaching a conclusion that is able to suggest and explain which of these perspectives offers the most accurate analysis of this area. First emerging in the nineteenth-century Europe, the Functionalist approach is a variant of Structuralism and was heavily influenced by Emile Durkheim (Haralambos Holborn, 2008, pp.Read More Karl Marx Essay1742 Words   |  7 Pagesphilosopher stands out amongst the crowd, and that person is named Karl Marx (1818-1883). In this essay I aim to explore and critically assess his ideas, theories, and studies in his contribution to sociology, and if his ideas, theories and studies are useful to this contribution to sociology. Sociology began in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Western Europe. Around this time, the political and economic systems in Europe were changing. Things like the Monarchy, (which was the rule ofRead MoreThe Marxist Theory Of Law1348 Words   |  6 Pagesthe fundamental theorists of marxism, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber who have been profoundly compelling in identifying and developing the sociology of law. Although many believe that their theories expand upon each other, others contend that the ideas of Marx, Durkheim and Weber are simply repeated in different words. The Supreme Court Cases of Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger are prime cases of how Marx, Durkheim and Weber viewed the sociology of the law. It is necessary toRead MoreMarxist And Conflict Theories Of Deviance Essay1580 Words   |  7 Pagesthis chapter surroung Marxist and conflict theories do not always agree on all the views of their theories, they come from the same social constructionist or relativist perspective. Social construction is referred to as a theory of knowledge in sociology and communications theory that examines the development of cooperatively constructed understandings of the world. There are two general ways in which theories differ from each other, the first is their definition of power. Marxists focus on the politicalRead MoreSocial Analysis Of Marxist And Marxist Theory1660 Words   |  7 Pageshow it affected the Marxist tradition to be a fascinating subject matter. While researching the kinds of social analysis that were used in the formation of Marxist theory I found that Karl Marx and his predecessors concentrated less on the role sociology plays in society and concentrated more on issues of class struggle and how it affects the formation of society. I believe that their focus on class struggle is because it feeds into the idea of reforming society in a more fair and just manner. Read MoreKarl Marx And The German Political System1427 Words   |  6 Pagesor zero contribution to philosophy and all he did was rip off Georg Hegel’s work. Karl Marx’s theories have been influential and played a significant role in modern day communism and socialism’s developments. Marx was a founding father of modern sociology and his analysis of religion is probably one of the most notorious in expressing the beliefs in a religion or not. Marx analyzed religion from a general and scientific standpoint and spoke of religion in a way that made people question if his theoryRead MoreThe Communist Manifesto Marx And Engels855 Words   |  4 Pagesconsidered classes, these may have been strata or elites that were not based solely on economic factors like that of priesthood, knights, or military elite. Marx s theories about society, economics and politics, which are collectively known as Marxism, argue that all society progresses through the dialectic of class struggle. He was heavily critical of the current socio-economic form of society, capitalism, which he called the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, believing it to be run by the wealthyRead More Marxist Theory and Oedipus the King Essay1339 Words   |  6 PagesSources Cited Fish, Thomas E. Critical Summary of Literature and History. Marxism and Literary Criticism. U of California P, 1976. 1-19. Rpt. in Contexts for Criticism. Ed. Donald Keesey. 3rd ed. 25 Oct. 2000 http://www.cumber.edu/litcritweb/theory/eagleton.htm. Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Trans. Paul M. Sweeny. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1998. Rideneir. The Sociology of Knowledge. Marxist Theory of Class Struggles.1 Nov. 2000 http://raven.jmu.edu/~rideneir/dss/indexRead More The Decline of Aristocracy in The Communist Manifesto Essay972 Words   |  4 Pagesworking class, which would rebel against its exploitation and eventually bring about the creation of a middle class. Marx wished to emancipate the Proletariat and ultimately develop a class-consciousness, which respects the lower class. â€Å"In Marxism the division of society into classes is determined by position within the process of production.†7 The goal was to eliminate the property of all individuals, because private property is what keeps the Proletariat enslaved. The Bourgeoisie dominated

Gothic Architecture in Medieval France Free Essays

Gothic Architecture in Medieval France As with most modernization, new concepts are often refined versions of previous techniques. Although structural design during the Middle Ages was already advancing at a large scale, distortions of the classical style were not too apparent until the Gothic era occurred. Taking place during a time of turmoil with the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Plague, the Gothic age emerged right as European society was forced into a reflective change. We will write a custom essay sample on Gothic Architecture in Medieval France or any similar topic only for you Order Now With an increase in trade and a growing violation, an associated development of cities also occurred. Since it was more plausible to centralize churches and monasteries within towns, advancements of stone architecture began in order to meet the needs of the general public. First appearing in Northern France in the mid-12th century, Gothic style began mainly in these newly built or restored cathedrals. The modernization that took place within Gothic architecture directly reflected the changes that were taking place within French society. The two main structural improvements of Gothic architecture were minted arches and ribbed vaulting. Building upon the design of the intersecting arches of groin vaults (primarily seen within the Romanesque period), Gothic architects created rib vaults as a result of using diagonal and transverse arches that intersected crosswise. By switching from curved to more-pointed arches, builders were able to maximize height-space and have all the arches at approximately the same level, regardless of the arches’ widths. This allowed the inside of cathedrals to be very spacious and give the appearance of openness. Another structural advantage of the pointed Gothic vaults is its downward weight distribution. Because they require less reinforcement to keep them in position, large windows could be placed underneath the arches instead of supports, making it possible to let more light into the room. These areas were often filled with another prominent Gothic feature: stained-glass windows. Although it was not originally produced during the Gothic Era, stained-glass gained its standing with its use in cathedrals. By taking advantage f the usable space under pointed arches, architects were able to replace walls with stained-glass and transfer natural light into the building, creating a colored ambiance. Abbot Auger, the Abbot at Saint-Denis (a cathedral noted for being a precursor in Gothic architecture) coined the phrase lug nova, meaning â€Å"new light† to describe the effect of the stained-glass. Aside from transmitting light into the cathedral, the windows acted as a way to present religious illustrations and depictions of Holy Scripture. Although the glass is much more unstable than the rounding stone encasement and structure, Gothic architects were able to reinforce the glass with iron and other materials to make it withstand much weathering. A structure combining glass and stone support that became typical within French Gothic architecture was the rose window, a large circular window that combined the designs of the inside and outsides of the cathedral. The aim of overstated design of cathedrals was not limited Just to the inside of the buildings. While the stonework within the churches was more minimalist, the outsides were overfed with facades of religious sculptures. Acting as a central point to these facades, rose windows were covered in detailed stone work that was best seen from outside the cathedral. It was also a notable gothic style to have the sculptures of saints in a more unassuming manner. The statues began to have individual personalities and more nonjudgmental postures, showing the separate identities of the saints. Another feature of sculptural design was gargoyles. Acting as a way to direct rain water away from the building, gargoyles have played a key part in keeping he stone cathedrals from eroding and to minimize other water damage. Although occurring during a time of struggle, the Gothic era depicts the progression of France throughout this time. The advancements and stylistic techniques that were created continued throughout much of France’s history and even spilled into English regions. Considering many of the cathedrals of this time have remained in decent condition even 800 years later, it is safe to say that Gothic style has passed the test of time. How to cite Gothic Architecture in Medieval France, Papers

Stephen Cranes Maggie A Girl of the Streets free essay sample

A critical analysis of Cranes novel, `Maggie: A Girl of the Streets.` This paper analyzes Stephen Cranes Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. The author examines how the book is a reflection of the writers childhood and childhood experiences. `Many of Stephen Cranes life experiences are also expressed in his writings, but not in the way casual readers would expect. Many people believe that The Red Badge of Courage is the result of Cranes personal acquaintance with the Civil War and `Maggie: A Girl of the Streets` was written following a time spent living in the slums of New York. This is not true in either case. Stephen Crane was born after the Civil War and according to Benfey, `Maggie: A Girl of the Streets` was started prior to Crane moving to New York (63). Although, the deterministic theme in `Maggie: A Girl of the Streets` is not a result of Stephen Cranes personal experience in the slums, it is a reflection of a dark period in his childhood, his unpleasant experiences with Christianity, and parental deprivation. We will write a custom essay sample on Stephen Cranes Maggie: A Girl of the Streets or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page `

Is Torture justified free essay sample

What is torture? Basically, this is the action of physically or psychologically hurting a person without their permission and against their will. The torture has many goals such as obtaining a confession or information of the victim, revenge for an act committed by the victim or just for entertainment morbid and sadistic of the torturer. According to the 1984 United Nations Convention against Torture, the torture is: â€Å"any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him, or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. We will write a custom essay sample on Is Torture justified? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in, or incidental to, lawful sanctions. † Torture is not acceptable because it is degrading and ethically wrong, but under certain circumstances torture can be justified. Torture is justifiable if lives of innocent people are in risk or if an entire nation is in danger. First of all torture is justifiable when the lives of innocent people are in danger of being injured by violent motives. For example, in the scenario that a terrorist put a ticking time bomb in a public place like the case of a shopping center, a park, a hospital, a stadium, etc. This person is the only one who can give a clue as how, when and where the attack will happen, so it is definitely better sacrifices the human rights of a single person who is doing evil, for it can save the lives of hundreds of innocent people. Another example, in the scenario of a murderer or rapist who uses torture for sadistic and morbid motives, and he has prisoners and assuming that the police caught him, and this person does not want willingly confess the crimes committed and the location of these people. Then, the morals and ethics of society should be left aside and act promptly to extract the information needed to save these people from suffering provided by the torturer. According to Mirko Bagaric claims that torture is morally justified in order to save the lives of innocent people. He is confident that torture gives reliable information that can prevent terrorist attacks. According to the author, torture is a way to avoid killing innocent people. He claims that torture should never be used for punishment and domination, but it has different considerations when used for humane reasons such as saving lives. In one part of his article says, â€Å"Killing Innocent People Worse than Torture; Paradoxically, people who propose an absolute ban on torture arent sufficiently repulsed by torture and are too willing to accept the murder of innocent people: either they lack compassion or have a warped moral compass. Torture is bad. Killing innocent people is worse. Some people are so depraved that they combine these evils and torture innocent people to death. † Mirko Babaric is certain that torture is not cruel if it is motivated by a compassionate desire to avoid a tragedy, and it gets a greater good. He made a refutation to the people who are against torture. He said, â€Å"There could be nothing more inhumane than doing nothing as innocent people are being tortured to death. † Torture used to save the life of another person is acceptable. In another article clearly shows a real example of how the torture served to save the life of a human being. â€Å"In June 1979 Jean Leon and an accomplice kidnapped Miami cab driver Louis Gachelin, held him at gunpoint, and demanded a seven-thousand-dollar ransom from his family. Police officers quickly captured Leon, but Gachelin was not with him. Concerned that Gachelin might be murdered once Leons absence was noticed by his accomplice, seven police officers made a radical decision: To find out where Gachelin was being held, they beat the information out of Leon. The kidnapper caved in, and Gachelin was rescued. His life had arguably been saved by the use of torture. † The author also shows how torture has been used since human civilization from The Code of Hammurabi , 1750 BC to the present day with the intention to punish or to get information, even in some parts of the world are still cases of torture as way of punishment or conviction, but this is not the case of the Americans because they do not supporter torture as a punishment, and it is established on the Eighth Amendment which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. nevertheless, the torture can be used in cases like Gachelin, where this serves as an interrogation technique to save the life of a person. Since The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, U. S. has been focused on how to prevent similar situations happen in the future. For this reason, some Americans have suggested the use of torture to obtain the desired information. The author notes that U. S. government has experimented with new techniques of interrogation without violating international human rights; those are as known stress and duress techniques, which consist of exposing prisoners to isolation, darkness, blindfolding, discomfort (such as being forced to stand in one position for four hours), forced nudity, and unpleasant food. These tactics are designed to demoralize prisoners so that they will provide information, and they have been met with much controversy over the legality and morality of their application. Those in favor of using the intensified techniques argue that the information extracted from stressed prisoners might save hundreds of lives. † The ticking time bomb is a very common scenario for those who support the use of torture. Supporters of the time bomb hypothesis believe that enhanced interrogation techniques are justified to obtain information from suspects to avoid massive loss of life. Although Americans have probably never faced a real time bomb scenario, many of them are familiar with the concept and are aware of the various means of torture that could be used to obtain the necessary information, and all this because a TV series called 24. This show is directed, produced and acted by Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, whose job is to prevent terrorist attacks against the United States. According to Human Rights, before September 11, 2001, there were four or fewer cases of torture on television each year. In 2009, more than 100 cases were reported acts of torture that appear on TV. According to David Danzig Human Rights, he said, It used to be almost exclusively the villains who tortured. Nowadays, torture is often perpetrated by the heroes, even though torture is illegal under the law U. S. and internationally. † Is Torture justified? The show 24 shows a simplified representation of the difficulty and complexity of the policy issues and definitions of torture facing the government of the United States. The opposite side says that Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments are like slavery and genocide, and they are always unacceptable. This principle has been established for many years and is enshrined in international law. â€Å"Everyone has the right to freedom from torture and inhuman or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. † It is Accordance with Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They get three main arguments against the authorization of torture. First, it is the argument of art slippery slope this means that allowing torture in a limited context there may encourage more of these cases. Nonetheless, this argument does not work for the concept of torture because it is already used even though it is universally prohibited, according to reports Amnesty International reported cases of torture and ill-treatment in 132 countries in 2003, including the United States, Japan and France. The second argument is that torture makes it lose its human sense to the society. Nevertheless, a society that chooses to defend the rights of those who do evil on innocent people instead of defending innocent people, in that case the society needs to make an urgent moral and ethical change to see things more humanely. Finally, people cannot be absolutely certain that torturing someone gives us the result of saving the life of another person. However, it is a decision of self defense. In conclusion, the only way the torture is justified. There is when existed a threat to the lives of innocent people or finding a greater good for humanity. For example, a terrorist attack when is in danger the lives of hundreds of innocent people or in the case of murderers, rapists and kidnappers who has prisoners. keep in mind that torture can only be used as an information extraction technique because it is not acceptable as a punishment based on religious, political and social belief. Definitely, Torture is acceptable when used for the greater good of humanity to preserve the lives of innocent people.

History and Facts About Alcatraz Prison

History and Facts About Alcatraz Prison Once considered the prison of American prisons, the island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay has been an asset to the U.S. Army, the federal prison system, jailhouse folklore, and the historical evolution of the West Coast. Despite its reputation as a cold and unforgiving penitentiary, Alcatraz is now one of the most prominent tourist magnets in San Francisco. In 1775, Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala chartered what is now San Francisco Bay. He called the 22-acre rocky island La Isla de los Alcatraces, meaning Island of the Pelicans. With no vegetation or habitation, Alcatraz was little more than a desolate islet occupied by the occasional swarm of birds. Under the English-speaking influence, the name Alcatraces became Alcatraz. Fort Alcatraz Alcatraz was reserved for military use under President Millard Fillmore in 1850. Meanwhile, the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada Mountains brought growth and prosperity to San Francisco. The lure of the Gold Rush demanded the protection of California as gold seekers flooded the San Francisco Bay. In response, the U.S. Army built a fortress on the rocky face of Alcatraz. They made plans to install more than 100 cannons, making Alcatraz the most heavily armed entity on the West Coast. The first functional lighthouse on the West Coast was built on Alcatraz Island as well. Once fully equipped with weaponry in 1859, the island was deemed Fort Alcatraz. Having never fired its own weapons in combat, Fort Alcatraz quickly evolved from an island of defense to an island of detention. In the early 1860s, civilians arrested for treason during the Civil War were housed on the island. With the influx of prisoners, additional living quarters were built to house 500 men. Alcatraz as a jail would continue for 100 years. Throughout history, the average population of the island hovered between 200 and 300 people, never at maximum capacity. The Rock After the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906, inmates from nearby prisons were transferred to the infallible Alcatraz. Over the next five years, prisoners built a new jail, designated Pacific Branch, U.S. Military Prison, Alcatraz Island. Popularly known as The Rock, Alcatraz served as an army disciplinary barracks until 1933. Prisoners were educated and received military and vocational training here. Alcatraz of the early 20th century was a minimum-security prison. Prisoners spent their days working and learning. Some were even employed as babysitters for the families of prison officers. They eventually built a baseball field and inmates fashioned their own baseball uniforms. Boxing matches among inmates known as â€Å"Alcatraz Fights† were hosted on Friday nights. Prison life played a role in the changing landscape of the island. The military transported soil to Alcatraz from nearby Angel Island, and many prisoners were trained as gardeners. They planted roses, bluegrass, poppies, and lilies. Under the order of the U.S. Army, Alcatraz was a fairly mild institution and its accommodations were favorable. The geographic location of Alcatraz was the undoing of U.S. Army occupation. Importing food and supplies to the island was much too expensive. The Great Depression of the 1930s forced the army off the island, and the prisoners were transferred to institutes in Kansas and New Jersey. Uncle Sam’s Devil’s Island Alcatraz was obtained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1934. The former military detention center became America’s first maximum-security civilian penitentiary. This â€Å"prison system’s prison† was specifically designed to house the most horrendous prisoners, the troublemakers that other federal prisons could not successfully detain. Its isolated location made it ideal for the exile of hardened criminals, and a strict daily routine taught inmates to follow prison rule and regulation. The Great Depression witnessed some of the most heinous criminal activity in modern American history, and Alcatraz’s severity was well suited to its time. Alcatraz was home to notorious criminals including Al â€Å"Scarface† Capone, who was convicted of tax evasion and spent five years on the island. Alvin â€Å"Creepy† Karpis, the FBI’s first â€Å"Public Enemy,† was a 28-year resident of Alcatraz. The most famous prisoner was Alaskan murderer Robert â€Å"Birdman† Stroud, who spent 17 years on Alcatraz. Over its 29 years of operation, the federal prison housed more than 1,500 convicts. Daily life in the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was harsh. Prisoners were given four rights. They included medical attention, shelter, food, and clothing. Recreational activities and family visits had to be earned through hard work. Punishments for bad behavior included hard labor, wearing a 12-pound ball and chain, and lock-downs where prisoners were kept in solitary confinement, restricted to bread and water. There was a total of 14 escape attempts by over 30 prisoners. Most were caught, several were shot, and a few were swallowed by the chilling swells of the San Francisco Bay. Why Did Alcatraz Close? The prison on Alcatraz Island was expensive to operate, as all supplies had to be brought in by boat. The island had no source of fresh water, and almost one million gallons were shipped in each week. Building a high-security prison elsewhere was more affordable for the Federal Government, and as of 1963 â€Å"Uncle Sam’s Devil’s Island† was no more. Today, the equivalent of the infamous federal prison on Alcatraz Island is a maximum-security institution in Florence, Colorado. It is nicknamed â€Å"Alcatraz of the Rockies†. Tourism Alcatraz Island became a national park in 1972 and is considered part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Open to the public in 1973, Alcatraz sees more than one million visitors from across the globe each year. Alcatraz is best known as a maximum-security prison. Media attention and fantastic stories have exaggerated this image. The San Francisco Bay islet has been much more than this. Alcatraz as a mass of rock named for its birds, an American fort during the Gold Rush, an army barracks, and tourist attraction may be less enticing but allude to a more dynamic existence. It is one to be embraced by San Francisco and California as a whole.

Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte - Essay Example Probably, it led to overestimation of his abilities and eventually led to his defeat. Napoleon – Early Years Napoleon Bonaparte was born in a wealthy family in Ajaccio, on the Mediterranean Island of Corsica on 15th August 1769. His father, Carol Bonaparte, was a lawyer and a political opportunist. At that time, Corsica had just been sold to France by Genoa. So, Napoleon was not of French origin. According to Marsh, there were both luck and personal factors which favored Napoleon in his rise to power (5). As his father climbed the political ladder and as his mother had connections with Corsica’s French military governor, Napoleon had the chance to enter the military academy at Brienne in the year 1779. As Landau points out, it was this entry into military that acted as the very basis of his rise to power. With extraordinary talent in areas like mathematics, the workaholic genius graduated as a second lieutenant in the artillery in the year 1785 (18). Though Napoleon was posted on the French mainland, he was able to engage actively in the Corsican politics. Though he supported Corsican rebel Pasquale Paoli in the beginning, there were differences in opinion later on, and the Bonaparte had to flee to France. The French Revolution during the latter half of the 18th century was a fertile soil for individuals with talent to come to the fore. Fremont-Barnes reflects that the people agitated throughout France in a protest against the atrocities committed by the wealthy and the church (58). Soon, King Louis was imprisoned and executed. Following this, the revolutionary government declared France a republic. However, there was total chaos as the nation was ruled by various fractions; and most notable of them was the Jacobin group led by Maximilien Robespierre. This revolutionary government in France shocked monarchies throughout Europe. Empires like Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain wanted to suppress the revolution and bring monarchy back to pow er in France. Soon, in 1972, the empires declared war on France. However, France was not fit to face them as the revolution had eliminated its military officers. Many of them had been killed and many had already fled the place. The Toulon Siege and the Path Ahead Thus, in the year 1793, Napoleon was commissioned as a captain in the artillery and was assigned to the units which were engaged in the task of eliminating British Garrison from the southern port of Toulon as it was found to be helping Royalist uprising. There, sheer luck came into play as he was made the commander of the siege on 16th September 1793. He was offered the position because the existing commander of the artillery was wounded (â€Å"Napoleon Bonaparte†). In the new position, Napoleon exhibited skill and mastery by capturing two important forts and eliminating the British fleet from the port. Though it was not a major victory, he managed to present it as a great achievement. As the entire French army was m arred by untrained people and lack of leadership, his performance, though minor, was noticed by a number of powerful men in Paris. This was followed by his ascend to the rank of Brigadier General. After this, Napoleon joined the campaign in Italy as the commandant of the artillery. However, by this time, the political atmosphere in Paris was rather bad as people were feeling highly insecure under the Directory, and, as a result, Robespierre was executed and