ENGL200 The Twentieth Century and After Flashcard

ENGL200 The Twentieth Century and After

Battle of Albuera in the Peninsular War

Battle of Albuera in the Peninsular War Battle of Albuera -Conflict Date: The Battle of Albuera was fought on May 16, 1811, and was part of the Peninsular War, which was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). Armies Commanders: Allies Marshal William BeresfordLieutenant General Joaquin Blake35,884 men French Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult24,260 men Battle of Albuera - Background: Advancing north in early 1811, to support French efforts in Portugal, Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult invested the fortress city of Badajoz on January 27. After stubborn Spanish resistance, the city fell on March 11. Learning of Marshal Claude Victor-Perrins defeat at Barrosa the next day, Soult left a strong garrison under Marshal Édouard Mortier and retreated south with the bulk of his army. With his situation in Portugal improving, Viscount Wellington dispatched Marshal William Beresford to Badajoz with the goal of relieving the garrison. Departing on March 15, Beresford learned of the citys fall and slowed the pace of his advance. Moving with 18,000 men, Beresford scattered a French force at Campo Maior on March 25, but was subsequently delayed by a wide range of logistical issues. Finally laying siege to Badajoz on May 4, the British were forced to cobble together a siege train by taking guns from the nearby fortress town of Elvas. Reinforced by the remnants of the Army of Estremadura and the arrival a Spanish army under General Joaquà ­n Blake, Beresfords command numbered over 35,000 men. Battle of Albuera - Soult Moves: Underestimating the size of the Allied force, Soult gathered 25,000 men and began marching north to relieve the Badajoz. Earlier in the campaign, Wellington has met with Beresford and suggested the heights near Albuera as a strong position should Soult return. Utilizing information from his scouts, Beresford determined that Soult intended to move through the village on his way to Badajoz. On May 15, Beresfords cavalry, under Brigadier General Robert Long, encountered the French near Santa Marta. Making a hasty retreat, Long abandoned the east bank of the Albuera River without a fight. Battle of Albuera - Beresford Responds: For this he was sacked by Beresford and replaced by Major General William Lumley. Through the day on the 15th, Beresford moved his army into positions overlooking the village and river. Placing Major General Charles Altens Kings German Legion Brigade in the village proper, Beresford deployed Major General John Hamiltons Portuguese division and his Portuguese cavalry on his left wing. Major General William Stewarts 2nd Division was placed directly behind the village. Through the night additional troops arrived and Blakes Spanish divisions were deployed to extend the line south. Battle of Albuera - The French Plan: Major General Lowry Coles 4th Division arrived in the early morning of May 16 after marching south from Badajoz. Unaware that the Spanish had joined with Beresford, Soult devised a plan for assaulting Albuera. While Brigadier General Nicolas Godinots troops attacked the village, Soult intended to take the bulk of his troops in a wide flank attack on the Allied right. Screened by olive groves and freed from the hassle of Allied cavalry, Soult began his flanking march as Godinots infantry moved forward with cavalry support. Battle of Albuera - The Fight is Joined: To sell the diversion, Soult advanced Brigadier General Franà §ois Werlà ©s men on Godinots left, causing Beresford to reinforce his center. As this occurred, French cavalry, then infantry appeared on the Allied right. Recognizing the threat, Beresford ordered Blake to shift his divisions to face south, while ordering the 2nd and 4th Divisions to move to support the Spanish. Lumleys cavalry was dispatched to cover the right flank of the new line, while Hamiltons men shifted to aid in the fighting at Albuera. Ignoring Beresford, Blake only turned four battalions from General Gen Josà © Zayas division. Seeing Blakes dispositions, Beresford returned to the scene and personally issued orders to bring the rest of the Spanish into line. Before this could be accomplished, Zayas men were assaulted by the division of General Jean-Baptiste Girard. Immediately behind Girard, was General Honorà © Gazans division with Werlà © in reserve. Attacking in a mixed formation, Girards infantry met fierce resistance from the outnumbered Spaniards but were able to slowly push them back. To support Zayas, Beresford sent forward Stewarts 2nd Division. Rather than forming behind the Spanish line as ordered, Stewart moved around the end of their formation and attacked with Lieutenant Colonel John Colbornes brigade. After meeting initial success, a heavy hail storm erupted during which Colbornes men were decimated by an attack on their flank by French cavalry. Despite this disaster, the Spanish line stood firm causing Girard to halt his assault. The pause in the fighting allowed Beresford to form Major General Daniel Houghton and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Abercrombies behind the Spanish lines. Advancing them forward, they relieved the battered Spanish and met Gazans attack. Focusing on Houghtons segment of the line, the French battered the defending British. In brutal fighting, Houghton was killed, but line held. Watching the action, Soult, realizing he was badly outnumbered, began to lose his nerve. Advancing across the field, Coles 4th Division entered the fray. To counter, Soult dispatched cavalry to attack Coles flank, while Werlà ©s troops were thrown at his center. Both attacks were defeated, though Coles men suffered heavily. As the French were engaging Cole, Abercrombie pivoted his relatively fresh brigade and charged into Gazan and Girard’s flank driving them from the field. Defeated, Soult brought up troops to cover his retreat. Battle of Albuera - Aftermath: One of the bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War, the Battle of Albuera cost Beresford 5,916 casualties (4,159 British, 389 Portuguese and 1,368 Spaniards), while Soult suffered between 5,936 and 7,900. While a tactical victory for the Allies, the battle proved to be of little strategic consequence as they were forced to abandon their siege of Badajoz a month later. Both commanders have been criticized for their performance in the battle with Beresford failing to use Coles division earlier in the fight and Soult being unwilling to commit his reserves to the assault. Selected Sources British Battles: Battle of AlbueraPeninsular War: Battle of AlbueraHistory of War: Battle of Albuera

Competing against walmart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Competing against walmart - Essay Example Not all the people can be able to afford the prices of the services being offered by the business. That is the major challenge the business is facing. The business is well known for its optical services. Customers are tested for their different sight problems, and then given the rightful spectacles. One can also have their lenses or frames changed. Those are some of the many services offered by the business. The employees of the business work tirelessly to ensure that there is no gap in any of the services provided. Most of the customers of the business are usually children who attend school, and the aged people. Most of the school-going children are usually faced with the sight defect known as the short sightedness, while the aged are usually faced with long sightedness. The business has been able to gain a competitive advantage over the years. It has been able to do so through giving to their customers services that are of a high value. This is one of the aspects that keep the customers coming. The location of the business has also contributed towards creating a competitive edge for the business. The business is different from Wal-Mart in that, unlike the Wal-Mart, the business has been in operation for 10 years and, therefore, it has been able to analyze fully the market environment in which it is operating. It has been able to merge fully into the market environment. The Wal-Mart Optical Center has not been in the market, therefore, it will be difficult for it to gain the knowledge of the market that the business has. Since the Wal-Mart Optical Center is to be launched, it is curial for the business to undergo certain changes in order to uphold its competitive nature in the market. First, the business should be able to offer different range of services on top of what is offering. This will enable the customers to be able to shop around for their preferred choice. The business should also be able to revise

Tom Bradley Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tom Bradley - Research Paper Example At some point the family went on public assistance. His parents divorced and Tom’s mother was working hard to raise five children by herself. Bradley entered Polytechnic High School, because he was a very good athlete. This school was mostly white. However, he became the first black president of the Poly Boy’s League. He also became a record-breaking track team captain and a star in the quarter-mile and long jump. Winning the athletic championship gave Tom admission to UCLA. While there, he had many jobs, one of which was as a photographer for comedian Jimmy Durante. During his junior year in college, Bradley took an exam to join the Los Angeles Police Department. His grade was excellent and entered the department academy in 1940. He served as Police Officer in Los Angeles for 21 years. When he first started working in the police department, there were only 100 black people among 4,000 officers. Blacks could never work with a white officer. They could only serve a black community or work traffic downtown. By the time Bradley retired in 1961, he reached the rank of Lieutenant. That was the highest position black officer could achieve at that time. Because of the racism, Bradley could not advance in this carrier any more. So instead, he attended Southwestern Law School and became an attorney. He took interest in politics when he still was a police officer. In 1963, he got elected to the Los Angeles City Council. He became one of three African American men elected that year. That was the first time black people were in the City Council. On the council, he was closely overseeing the Police Department and working to overcome racial strives. In the mid 1950s - 1960s, there was a strong race discrimination. There were restaurants and shops that would not serve black people; they would be refused to enter hotels etc. In 1961, this conservatism led to the election of Sam Yorty as Mayor of Los Angeles. Then the society climate started to change. There was a wave of riots and large-scale unrests throughout the country. The nation needed a change. To mention some events of 1968: a number of anti-Vietnam war demonstrations increased; within months of each other Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the candidate for President Robert Kennedy were assassinated; over 20,000 students in five East LA schools walked out as a sign of protest against racial inequality. At this time Tom Bradley decided to run for mayoral elections. African Americans were a minority of the population, so for Bradley to win he would have to create a multi-racial coalition. There were many candidates for mayor position to start with; however, the final race entered only Bradley and Yorty. After long and less then honorable electoral campaign the voters elected Yorty for his next term. Bradley took his time to prepare for the next elections, four years later, which he won and became first African American mayor of Los Angeles. He made a history by that. It attracted n ational and international attention. His success came as a result of continuous building of his extraordinary trans-racial coalition, and proved that it is possible for black voters and white voters to unite. His election also set a stage to other similar campaigns nationwide. There are many changes Mayor Tom Bradley brought to the city. His first term started during an energy crisis. To help his city he came up with curtailment program, and it was so successful that it was implemented in

MNC Enters India Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

MNC Enters India - Term Paper Example The company is basically involved in selling quality home furnishing products and home appliances among others through various franchises and retail outlets. The best aspect about this company is that its products are not very costly and thus are quite affordable. The company is responsible for attracting huge figure of consumers in its various retail outlets due to the deliverance of quality products to them and also complying with their requirements at large. It can be apparently viewed in this similar concern that the company was able to attract around 770 million of consumers who visited various retail outlets of IKEA in the year 2012. The company has a total of 338 stores and includes 154,000 co-workers (Inter IKEA Systems B.V., 2012). This part of the paper will entail the tracking of the exchange rate of Indian Rupee in relation to the US Dollar. It can be apparently observed in this regard that there have been a lot of fluctuations relating to India’s exchange rate. Presently, the value of Indian Rupee has fallen to a new record of 64 per dollar. The value of Rupee has been undergoing major turnarounds during the preceding two years due to the reason of weakening conduct of financial activities. It is even expected that the value of Rupee can fall to as low as 70 per dollar which can create a major turnaround in the currency exchange rate (YCharts, 2013). The following pictorial representation shows that the level up to which the value of Indian Rupees has increased. From the start of the year 2013, the value of Rupee has fallen and this trend is continuing. On the basis of the above discussion, it can be affirmed that due to much fluctuations or variations especially in the exchange rates, the financial condition of the nation i.e. of India has been adversely affected resulting in generating financial downturns by a considerable

The Decision-Making Process at Toyota

The Decision-Making Process at Toyota â€Å"The minor assessment is centred around Toyota’s annual report. Each student is expected to submit a case report, based also on the analysis of relevant background readings in addition to the case study itself, addressing the following issues:  · Explain what is meant by the term â€Å"decision-making† and analyse it in connection with the concepts of risk and uncertainty.  · Discuss the decision-making process at Toyota.  · Briefly analyse the automotive industry and explain how its dynamics influence Toyota’s managers in making decisions.  · Apply forecasting models to Toyota case study (e.g. provide a 2-year moving average graph using sales data).† Table of contents Introduction: The decision-making process 1 Risks and uncertainties in decision-making process 2 Case study: Decision-making process at Toyota 3 Automotive industry analysis 4 Influence of automotive industry in Toyota’s decision making process 5 Financial analysis 6 Forecasting model: 2-year moving average graph 7 Forecasting model: weighted moving average and exponential smoothing 8 Conclusion: Toyota heading towards Sustainable Growth 9 References and Sources 10 Introduction: The decision-making process We can define decision-making, as a conscious and human process, involving both individual and social phenomena, an ongoing process of evaluating alternatives for meeting an objective. A particular course of action to select that course of action most likely to result in attaining the objective. The decision-making process allow us to raise our vision beyond our immediate concerns and, in turn, allow us to evaluate our existing beliefs an actions in a new light in order to make an important and useful decision. Achieving an objective requires action leading to a desired outcome. In theory, how one proceeds should inevitably affect what one achieves, and in turn this should affect future actions. Risks and uncertainties in decision-making process The ability of a firm to absorb, transfer, and manage risk is critical in managements decision-making process when risky outcomes are involved. This will often define managements risk appetite and help to determine, once risks are identified and quantified, whether risky outcomes may be tolerated. For example, many financial risks can be absorbed or transferred through the use of a hedge, while legal risks might be mitigated through unique contract language. If managers believe that the firm is suited to absorb potential losses in the event the negative outcome occurs, they will have a larger appetite for risk given their capabilities to manage it. Managing uncertainty in decision-making relies on identifying, quantifying, and analyzing the factors that can affect outcomes. This enables managers to identify likely risks and their potential impact. Decision makers are used to assessing risk because decision-making is usually associated with some degree of risk taking, but not all outcomes are easily assessed. Some unknown outcomes may not previously have been seen or experienced and so they are uncertain. In theory the outcome may have a low probability to occur but if so would happen it could be troublesome. So it is important for every company, especially in ever changing and competitive markets to deal with risks using a ever-better decision-making process. All of the decisions anyhow are taken by individuals so the strategy for risk avoidance is tied in with a personal reference point. Of course it’s fundamental nowadays, for big corporations, to have extremely good employees in this department. The skills and needs of the decision-maker and the role of the decision within an organization, the importance of the risk analysis will depend on the objectives of the decision. A wise approach to decision-making might seek contributions from different angles. The importance placed on data analysis, management skills, organizational awareness, and custom and practice in the assessment of risk would be vital. In this field of course with any doubt Toyota is one of the finest players in the market, with a top notch decision-making process. Case study: Decision-making process at Toyota Automotive industry analysis The worldwide automotive market is highly competitive. Toyota faces intense competition from automotive manufacturers in the markets in which it operates. Although the global economy continues to recover gradually, competition in the automotive industry has further intensified among difficult overall market conditions. In addition, competition is likely to further intensify due to continuing globalization in the worldwide automotive industry, possibly resulting in further industry reorganization. Factors affecting competition include product quality and features, safety, reliability, fuel economy, the amount of time required for innovation and development, pricing, customer service and financing. Increased competition may lead to lower vehicle unit sales, which may result in a further downward price pressure and adversely affect Toyota’s financial condition and results of operations. Toyota’s ability to adequately respond to the recent rapid changes in the automotive ma rket and to maintain its competitiveness will be fundamental to its future success in existing and new markets and to maintain its market share. There can be no assurances that Toyota will be able to compete successfully in the future. That’s the risk connected with every business activity. Through this uncertainties Toyota has to deal with a top-notch management. Each of the markets in which Toyota competes has been subject to considerable volatility in demand, so the risk is becoming even higher year after year affecting all business decisions. Demand for vehicles depends on social, political and economic conditions in a given market and the introduction of new vehicles and technologies. As Toyota’s revenues are derived from sales in markets worldwide, economic conditions in such markets are particularly important to Toyota. In Japan, the economy gradually recovered due to increasing personal consumption and last-minute demand encouraged by the increase of the consumption tax. In the United States, the economy has seen constant gradual retrieval mainly due to increasing personal consumption and the European economy has shown signs of recovery too. In the meantime, growth in emerging markets slowed down due to weakening currencies of emerging markets, increases in interest rates of emerging markets to protect the local currencies, and political instability in some nations. The shifts in demand for automobiles is continuing, and it is unclear how this situation will transition in the future. Influence of automotive industry in Toyota’s decision making process Toyota’s future success depends on its ability to offer new innovative competitively products that meet customer demand on a timely basis. Their corporate DNA is headed to continuous innovation and ensure that tomorrow’s Toyota is even better than today’s. Toyota’s current management structure is based on the structure introduced in April 2011. In order to fulfill the Toyota Global Vision, Toyota reduced the Board of Directors and decision-making layers, changing the management process from the ground-up, facilitating rapid management decision-making. In April 2013, Toyota made organizational changes with the goal of additional increasing the speed of decision making by clarifying responsibilities for operations and earnings. In detail Toyota’s group divided the automotive business into the following four units —Lexus International (Lexus business); Toyota No. 1 (North America, Europe and Japan); Toyota No. 2 (China, Asia the Middle East, East Asia Oceania; Africa, Latin America the Caribbean); and Unit Center (engine, transmission, and other â€Å"unit†-related operations) Meeting customer demand by introducing attractive new vehicles and reducing the amount of time required for product development are critical to automotive producers. In particular, it is critical to meet customer demand with respect to quality, safety and reliability. The timely introduction of new vehicle models, at competitive prices, meeting rapidly changing customer preferences and demand is more fundamental to Toyota’s success than ever, as the automotive market is rapidly transforming in light of the changing global economy. Toyota has to be ready for every occasion to occur in this ever changing global economy. Toyota’s managers every year are taking under consideration every occasion to happen. Within a managerial decision-making context, a risk might be viewed as the chance of negative outcome for a decision which has a possible uncertainty element, usually on the downside. Financial Analysis In terms of finances, the carmaker boosted its profit forecast for the current fiscal year ending March, expecting net income to rise to 2.0 trillion yen ($16.97 billion, 14.7 billion euros). It also said revenue would come in at 26.5 trillion yen. Toyota Motor Corporation had revenues for the full year 2014 of 25.692tn. This was 16.44% above the prior years results. Regarding the competition between Toyota, Volkswagen and ford, top players in the market, Toyota is average a positive trend. Moreover Toyota has the highest income since the year 2009. Forecasting model: 2-year moving average graph Forecasting model: weighted moving average and exponential smoothing We could use instead different methods. The moving average is a simple method that doesn’t take in in consideration the weight or real value that a number has. In fact to overcome this issue we can adopt the â€Å"weighted moving average method† and the â€Å"exponential smoothing method†. Using the â€Å"weighted moving average method† I take under considerations 3 years, which I consider the most important. The value of weights it is based on the percentage growth every year. Using weighted moving average, we can have a better forecast. However, it is more important for a better forecast to use the exponential smoothing method. Here I take in consideration all of the years moving from 2008. Found out that the smoothing factor is pretty high, 0.99. I took under consideration 0.9 as my alpha because in this particular case higher alpha means that the recent history will have more weightage in the forecast calculation. As we can see from page 26/68 I took under consideration Toyota’s Consolidated Performance (U.S. GAAP). I think that the last one is the most appropriate method to see a realest forecast for the next year. Of course the calculation has been made â€Å"ceteris paribus† so everything it is supposed to be the same next year, but as showed before this particular market is subject to constant changes. For this reason and other random errors the forecast could be higher or lower, but however we can obviously see a positive trend in Toyota’s business. Thanks to the tireless efforts of all concerned, today Toyota’s group can take pride in the strengths of its management practices and culture. Even its president is convinced that they are now in a position to take a definitive step forward toward sustainable growth. Conclusion: Toyota heading towards Sustainable Growth So is Toyota heading towards a sustainable growth? What is the engine for sustainable growth? Toyota has learned from experience that they can achieve sustainable growth only if they manage to create great cars that bring smiles and if they foster the human resources needed to make this a reality. At the same time, ever-better cars can be produced only through efforts made by employees on the front line. Individuals must take ownership of their work and place the utmost emphasis on local manufacturing, swift decision making, and immediate action. As it continues to grow however, tasks that were once routine may become increasingly difficult to perform. As I see it, Toyota’s current situation is particularly critical as we are now entering another expansion phase. This is a really important moment for Toyota. For this, because of the risks associated with the future Toyota should continue to seek perfection in his work of manufacturing, but especially in its management process where the decision-making process takes a fundamental part. References and sources For further readings†¦ Ken Segall, Insanely Simple, the obsession that drives Apple’s success, Published by Portfolio Trade, 2013 Robbins, De cenzo Coulter, Fundamentals of management, Global edition, 8th Edition, Pearson Higher Education, (2014 version) Burns and Stalker, The management of innovation, Tovistock Publications, London, 1961 Some internet sites†¦ ADAPT OR DIE, by John S. McCallum – Ivey Business Journal about management [accessed November 18, 2014] http://iveybusinessjournal.com/topics/strategy/adapt-or-die#.VGvDZDSG_ng 1

Television is Mindless Entertainment :: essays research papers

Televisions are probably one of the world’s greatest inventions. Nine out o f ten people won’t know how to explain how it actually works, but everyone who can afford one owns one. There is a lot of debate about whether TVs are good or bad. â€Å"A television is a device you can sit in front of and watch other people do things that you could be doing if you weren’t sitting there watching them do it.† - Unknown Yes, TVs provide mass education to people, for example, in Australia, people get their schooling via TVs if they live in remote areas. Everyday the teacher does lessons across the TV, and if the ‘pupils’ have any questions they phone in and ask on air. In South Africa we have ‘School TV’, but it isn’t a proper schooling, like Aussie’s. Sabc also offer the Math, English and Science lessons for matrics, but they are so boring that most people don’t even bother watching it. There are good shows like Dr. Phil and Oprah, where they actually are helping other people and teaching them right from wrong. Shows like these are interesting to watch and they are teaching us morals unlike everything else. Channels such as National Geographic and Discovery Channel also provide education, whether you learn about Hitler or whales, you learn something at least. But these channels are only offered on DSTV which is very expensive and the people that can afford it are the well-educated ones who don’t need it, the people that really need it can’t access it anyway. Another good thing about TV is the ‘News’, with the news on everyday, in lots of languages, everyone can keep up to date with everything that is happening around the globe without having to go to the trouble of actually reading it in a newspaper. As everything has its pros, it must have its cons. One of the main topics that people speak about is the fact that the programs are promoting immorality and it is eroding true Christian values. In every ‘soapie’ and lots of other shows, there are the people that are having affairs, pre-marital sex, taking alcohol, drugs, using bad language†¦the list goes on, but people think it’s funny and cool and do it all themselves. People believe what they see, and think it’s alright if they are also doing it because it makes them ‘cool’. In one incident on Dr Phil, there was a woman who was married to a great guy and they had three children, but she wanted to get divorced so that she could move in with a gay friend of hers, he didn’t love her and obviously never would, but she kept insisting, so finally he went to Dr Phil for help.