Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 26

Journal - Essay Example s not just limited to developed countries who have traditionally been more favorable towards women in careers; typically more male-centric areas of the world like India and China are also showing massive improvements in the way that women are treated in the workplace and their access to jobs and education. However, it must be noted that there are still areas for improvement, despite the fact that the arena has changed so much for the better. Women still do not make as much as men overall (men make $23.4 trillion compared to a female $10.5 trillion) which means that their power and access to some things may be limited. However, it is noted by Foroohar et al (2009) that this may be because it will take a while for the elder women who make less money to retire and allow younger women with higher standards of education and economic prospects to take their place. This is again, proof that women are in a much stronger economic position than they have been previously and that this effect will continue to be seen across the globe. There is also evidence that economic conditions, whilst not necessarily excellent for women in the developing world, will continue to improve as households get more access to technology (like television) and see other countries attitudes towards female economic

Confucian Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Confucian Ethics - Essay Example Confucius, the founder of Confucianism believed on a golden rule based on the belief that people should do unto others, what they would like to be done unto them His ethical code was based on humanity, love, and morality. Rather than being based on religious beliefs, Confucianism is based on a system of social and ethical principles. In East Asia, Confucianism touches on all aspects of life (Slote and De Vos 5). These include the family, education, society, and government. Although Confucianism has most of the times been grouped together with other religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Judaism, it is not a systemised religion. According to Slote and De Vos, â€Å"a viable way of life for so many and for so long, Confucianism has sometimes been viewed as a philosophy and sometimes as a religion† (5). ... Confucius stressed that despite the fact that strict observation of traditional rituals is important, a devoted spirit and a sincere heart are even more important. He found no value in performing rituals, while a person was inhuman or lacked humanness. According to him, taking a keen look at person’s actions, motives, and preferences, then his or her real character is revealed and cannot be concealed. Confucian ethics revolve around associations among human beings. The philosophy mainly â€Å"revolves around family relationships, especially around the relationships between parents and children, between elder and younger brothers, and between husband and wife† (Yao 32-33). The Confucian belief is based on the grounds that fulfilment or responsibilities in these relationships should be done with a complete and genuine heart. However, despite revolving around the family, the Confucian moral philosophy is not restrained within the family, but also the society. Emphasis is p laced on the family because it is the foundation of peace around the world and order in the society. According to Yao (33), the Confucian â€Å"logic is that the family is the basic unit of the human community and that harmonious family relationships will inevitably lead to a harmonious society and a peaceful state†. The virtues of leaders within their families are very vital and determine how they rule organisations and a nation, since the basis of their actions, motives, and preferences is found within their family units. This consequently has an effect on a whole nation. A ruler who has intense love and devotion for his relatives, parents, friends, wife, and children is humane to the common people in the society and treats them with honour and consideration. Such kinds of rulers are

Revolutions of 1848 and 1989

Revolutions of 1848 and 1989 The Revolutions of 1848 and 1989 had causes that were similar and different from one another, because they both started from the want to get rid of the old governmental system and replace it with a new one in sovereign states. However, one had food shortages that contributed the other did not. The revolutions 1848 were largely democratic in nature, with the aim of removing the old feudal structures and creating independent national states[1]. 1989 revolutions were to put an end to communism and create separate states in the process. In 1848 food shortages with the lower classes influenced the uprisings but not in 1989. The origins of these two events were very similar but 1848 had more influences then 1989. The 1848 and 1989 revolutions both stemmed from economic problems, but the cause of the problems were different between the time periods.   The economic conditions hurt the working class badly in 1848. A series of reforms were rejected by the monarchies, therefore pushing the working class to revolt into a revolution to change the government to better the conditions of the people[2]. In 1989 the same issues were going on however, the difference was the government of the Soviet Union had proposed reforms of economic policies, but they werent helpful to a lot of people due to the governments lack of resources[3]. The revolutions of 1848 and 1989 both came from the same issues economically, but had different causes. These two revolutions were in different locations, because one was western Europe and the other was eastern Europe. The revolutions of 1848 going across Europe included Germany, Italy, and France. In 1989 revolutions spread across eastern Europe which included countries like Estonia, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Lithuania. The citizens in these countries wanted virtually the same thing despite occurring on different sides of the continent. The location of these two revolutions were different but they wanted the same thing. These two revolutions fought for the belief in the same political ideology of democracy, but the revolutions of 1989 strived for it more than the revolutions of 1848. 1848 was fueled by the ideas of liberalism and democracy as was 1989. The two had different priorities when it came to this ideology. These ideas were a direct result from the ideas of the Enlightenment, such as the rights and the security of the constitutional rights the people were entitled to. The working class sought to gain more power in the revolutions of 1848[4]. The people not just the working class wanted to gain independent power from the Soviet Union during the revolutions of 1989. These two revolutions believed in democracy, but the revolutions of 1989 put a lot more weight on that than the 1848 revolutions. The major problem that led up to the revolutions of 1848 and 1989 were the tensions forming between societal superior and inferior groups or classes of people, but one was between non-governmental groups and the other was between governmental and non-governmental. The working class had major issues dealing with survival in poverty. In 1848 people of a higher-class status had or were taking resources that led to them being in that situation. The people of the lower class were of course angry about this and wanted change. In 1989 the government was the one withholding resources from the people because of shortages. Unrest occurred as a result and the people demanded change. The 1848 and 1989 revolutions resulted from tensions between social status groups, but between non-governmental groups and governmental and non-governmental. The outcome of the 1848 and 1989 revolutions had nations going in different directions than before, because the directions they chose had full participation from the people that supported the revolutions. In 1848 the industrious response to the growth of the population was parallel to the new population size after its revolution.[5] More people from rural areas were found moving to the cities to find work in the new industries that were created. In 1989 there was a growth of people in political parties that people supported. Even though most of them failed to meet the needs of the people, the idea of different parties was supported by the people[6]. The results of these revolutions went in different ways, but were still supported by the people. Despite originating from the same issues the revolution of 1848 and 1989 had different results, because the people of each country in the two revolutions went into different directions soon after they ended. Through each of the revolutions of 1848 and 1989 all of the countries had one major component in common, the struggling of the working class. The working class went through hard times the most during these two time periods, facing poverty and death itself. Both revolutions had people that pushed for change for the betterment of their countries. Tensions rose between the classes as well as between people and their government. The results of the 1989 revolutions was different, because it was a more prosperous ending for the people economically and politically than the 1848 revolutions. The revolutions of 1848 and 1989 both started from the same issues but they however started to go in different directions and resulted to the revolutions having completely different outcome from each other. [1] Stearns, Peter N. 1848: The Revolutionary Tide in Europe. Vol. 1. New York : W.W. Norton , 1974. Print. [2] Stearns, Peter N. 1848: The Revolutionary Tide in Europe. Vol. 1. New York : W.W. Norton , 1974. Print. [3] Sony, Ronald Grigor. Empire Falls: The Revolutions of 1989. The Nation. N.p., 28 Oct. 2009. Web. 20 Dec. 2016. [4] Stearns, Peter N. 1848: The Revolutionary Tide in Europe. Vol. 1. New York : W.W. Norton , 1974. Print. [5] Stearns, Peter N. 1848: The Revolutionary Tide in Europe. Vol. 1. New York : W.W. Norton , 1974. Print. [6] Sony, Ronald Grigor. Empire Falls: The Revolutions of 1989. The Nation. N.p., 28 Oct. 2009. Web. 20 Dec. 2016

Essay --

Dividend News for 2013 When the budget deal was agreed upon for the beginning of the year, this included rates on dividends. Qualified dividends, including capital gains, for individuals in the 25%, 28%, 33%, and 35% income tax brackets will continue to be taxed at 15%. Individuals making more than $400,000 in taxable income or couples making more than $450,000 will see their rate rise to 20%. Individuals in the 10% and 15% brackets as before will have a zero tax rate. Charles Farrell, chief executive of Northstar Investment Advisors LLC had stated that these tax rates for this year were pretty consistent. If they had been higher, investors probably would have been favoring non-income producing assets. Although, taxes on dividends will continue to rise for individuals making incomes above $200,000 or families making income above $250,000 due to the new Medicare tax (Ruffenach, 2013). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 increased tax rates in 2013 for upper bracket taxpayers by 3.8% (Eyde n, 2013). This 3.8% tax applies to net investment returns which covers capital gains, interest, certain annuities, and dividends. So, many families will pay around 18.8% which includes 15% plus 3.8%, plus state taxes. For others who are the high wage earners will pay tax on dividends around 23.8% which includes 20% plus 3.8%. About 80% of companies in the S&P 500 pay dividends. Some of these companies include Exxon, IBM, Apple, Chevron, and Procter & Gamble (Ruffenach, 2013). Dividends are crucial to long term returns. Looking back on the past 100 years, dividends accounted for about 50% of an investor’s total return. The other 50% is from price appreciation or capital gains. If an investor were to cut dividends out of their por... ... 2013). The Bottom Line The dividend tax rate discussion continues to be an argument in board rooms, think tanks, and in Washington (Flannelly, 2013). There has been much controversy whether or not dividends and capital gains should receive preferential tax treatment. The rates of taxation on dividends and capital gains have always been progressive, perhaps for the fairness of the overall economy (Eyden, 2013). As an individual investor, it does not matter what dividend tax rates are, because attractive returns can be realized. Although there is some clarity to the short term future of dividend tax rates, it will be a surety that this will change sometime down the road. With a discussion about the history, the news, the theory, and data about dividend tax rates, this can help with some uncertainty and insight of dividend taxes (Flannelly, 2013).

Global Ethical Position Of Bp Commerce Essay

In a 2006 interview with ProPublica after the Prudhoe Bay spill, published in Fortune BPs main executive of American operations, Robert Malone, said â€Å" There is no uncertainty in my head, what happened may non hold broken the jurisprudence but it broke our values. Corporate societal duty is merely a responsibility of attention which an administration owes to its stakeholders and the environment in which it operates. Hodgetts et at ( 2006, p65 ) states that: â€Å" Corporate societal duty ( CSR ) can be defined as the actions of a house to profit society beyond the demands of the jurisprudence and the direct involvements of the house. Pressure for greater attending to CSR has emanated from a scope of stakeholders, including civil society ( the wide societal involvements in a given part or state ) and from nongovernmental administrations ( NGOs ) . These groups have urged MNCs to be more antiphonal to the scope of societal demands in developing states, including turn toing concerns about working conditions in mills or service centres and go toing to the environmental impacts of their activities. † Harmonizing to Stewart Broome the Director of Business Ethical motives at BP, BP operate under planetary criterions through its usage of advanced engineering, safe working conditions and operational procedures, safer operational patterns for the protection of the environment in conformity with planetary ethical criterions. However, contrary to BP ‘s ethical place the undermentioned incidents have occurred within the last five old ages which resulted in the loss of lives, devastation of the environment, and marine life.Lustgarten ( 2010 ) reported that:A BP ‘s refinery explored in Texas, March 2005 this resulted in the decease of 15 workers and the hurt of 170 others. Probes determined that BP ignored its ain protocols in the operation of the tower and that the company ‘s warning system was besides disabled. BP accordingly pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and was fined more that $ 50 million by the US Environmental Protection Agency. One twelvemonth subsequently 4,800 barrels of oil leaked into the Alaskan snow through a hole in the company ‘s grapevine at Prudhoe Bay. It was reported by Fortune that BP failed to look into the grapevine in 2002 even though they had been cautioned to look into the grapevine in 2002, they failed to make so. As a consequence a $ 12 million mulct was imposed on BP for a misdemeanor misdemeanor of the federal Water Pollution Control Act. It was subsequently determined by a Congress commission, that BP had ignored chances to forestall the spill and that â€Å" Draconian † cost-saving steps had led to short cuts in its operational projects. BP ‘s most recent incident, on the 20 April 2010 what was confirmed sealed on 19 September 2010 resulted in the decease of 11 individuals. Though the company has investigated the possible causes of the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico given its path record in the yesteryear there is a deficiency of warrant that such calamities would non go on once more. The households of the workers who died have filed cases impeaching BP of carelessness. Reviewing BP ‘s operations it appears that BP should revisit its planetary ethical place as it relates to the safety of its work force and the environment. It seems that the proper steps and strategic execution of procedures are non being adhered excessively. BP should take the necessary stairss to guarantee the proper care of rigs, regular wellness and safety preparation of staff, proper care of works and equipment to forestall incidents and accidents.The deductions of their trade name and sellingThe universe over the past 20 old ages or so hold become more environmentally painstaking and caring towards prolonging, continuing and keeping the environment. The BP trade name has been affiliated with saving of the environment. BP.Com stated: â€Å" The systems, criterions and engineerings we apply to minimise our environmental footmark. † In giving its operations to responsible planetary leading the company was able to better its repute and increase its bottom line. As a consequence, BP ‘s fiscal position has been sound as stated by Dailyfinance ( 2010 ) stated: â€Å" Due to higher oil monetary values, BP ‘s first one-fourth 2010 net incomes were $ 6.08 billion compared to $ 2.56 billion in the first one-fourth of 2009. † The BP trade name captured a big portion of the mark market this was a contemplation of the company ‘s success. For 16 back-to-back old ages BP individuality as Amoco was rated the best crude oil trade name by consumers and they besides enjoyed one of the three highest trade name trueness reputes for gasoline in the US this was comparable merely to Chevron and Shell. However, the BP trade name is now perceived as socially and environmentally uncommitted to the planetary environment in which they operate and as a consequence there will be â€Å" fall-out † from the BP trade name and its merchandises. John Kleine executive manager of the BP Amoco Marketers Association ( 2010 ) stated: â€Å" Some BP gas station proprietors in the United States want to drop the BP name and return to the Amoco trade name to retrieve concern hit by public choler over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill catastrophe. The worst seaward oil spill in U.S. history fouled beaches from Texas to Florida, lay waste toing the Gulf seashore fishing and touristry industries. Some environmental groups called for a boycott of BP gas Stationss. † Due the negative impact of that the company ‘s operations has on the environment they are traveling to be individual who would reject the BP trade name. Kleine ( 2010 ) stated: â€Å" The BP spill has had a psychological impact on distributers. He described it as a clip of crisis and triageaˆÂ ¦.That truly comes from being concerned about their concern, their support, their investing, seeing every twenty-four hours the intelligence that would be given to do you believe that the concern is traveling to worsen. † Johansson ( 2006, p11 ) stated that in planetary selling it is indispensable that selling activities are coordinated and integrated across geographical lodgers. Merchandises are standardize, packaging of merchandises are uniformed with indistinguishable stigmatization in a figure of states. JOHANSSON ( 2006, p15 ) states that: â€Å" Global trade names are trade names that are available, good cognize, and extremely regarded throughout the universe ‘s market. Examples include Swatch, Mercedes, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Nike, Mc Donald ‘s, Sony and Honda. † BP can be compared to the instance of planetary company Nike and the allegations of child labor, insecure working conditions and inhumane conditions of work. Though Nike ne'er admitted straight to any incorrect making they did nevertheless, raise the minimal hiring age from 16 to 18 old ages, improved the conditions of work and the company even created a place of a frailty president for corporate and societal duty. The universe may mostly comprehend BP as an irresponsible company non presently taking caring for the environment, its workers and the planetary community at big. BP ‘s company image as it relates to the environment, Marine and wildlife is tainted due to the figure and badness of oil spills, particularly given the length of clip about five months ( September 2010 ) which it took for the well to be sealed. The public appears to hold lost trust and religion in BP ‘s ability to carry on its operations in a mode which is safe for their workers and the environment in which it operates. Non-governmental groups would clamor for stricter control and harsher punishments for companies through their operations. The fishing industry, mostly little concerns, along the seashore expressed concerns that they may be taken for â€Å" a drive † due to BP ‘s hold in covering with their claims for losingss, after what has been considered the worst natural catastrophe in recent times. There is the urgency for stricter statute law by authoritiess which would guarantee that companies that operate in their state follow wellness and safety policies harmonizing to the Occupational Health Safety Act. Failure by any company to implement safer working conditions and operations can merely weaken the company ‘s image and present a menace to the endurance of the company. Persons would seek alternate merchandises and services from other companies which in its production and fabrication phases are non harmful but safer to the environment. PERREAULT ( 2005, p256-257 ) stated that: â€Å" Brand rejection means that possible clients wo n't purchase a trade name unless its image is changed. Rejection may propose a alteration in the merchandise or possibly merely a displacement to aim clients who have a better image of the trade name. Get the better ofing a negative image is hard and can be really expensive. † Global clients dissatisfied with trade name image can ensue in consumers globally rejecting the trade name which would finally impact BP ‘s net incomes.What planetary selling scheme should they follow now?In reappraisal BP has a â€Å" up- hill † conflict to reconstruct its bruised repute through its acceptance of an international civilization of safety for their workers and the environment. Fredrx, ( 2010 ) argues that: â€Å" BP may hold plugged the leak in the Gulf Oil spill, but the harm done to its trade name will take old ages to repair. A new selling industry study released Wednesday shows the British oil company has tumbled off a list of the universe ‘s top 100 trade names. † It is extremely recommended that BP strengthen its trade name unity through corporate societal duty and planetary ethical behaviour, which would pull clients one time once more to the BP trade name. By signaling to its stakeholders it is committed to run intoing its moral duties and outlooks beyond what they are required to make by statute law leting for the buy-in to the BP trade name. It is indispensable at this clip the BP re-strategize its operations to ‘regain ‘ its image of an environmentally friendly â€Å" green † crude oil company. Therefore, it would be prudent for BP to reconstitute the company and its direction construction. Freeman et at ( 2007, 6 ) stated that: ( painstaking trade names, †¦ intend trade names that see socially responsible behavior as an built-in portion of what they do, instead than as an attention deficit disorder on. †¦ .conscientious trade name proprietors are human-centric and transparent, focused on making positive alteration in the universe ( non merely on understating the negatives ) and cognizant of the demands of all stakeholders. † To retrieve rapidly it is of important importance that BP focuses its resources and attending on issues of safety. The assignment of Mr Robert Riley to the place of Head of Safety and Operational Risk, Competency and Capability Development was as a direct consequence of his 10 twelvemonth reign at the caput of BP Trinidad without incidents and accidents. The company wants to further a civilization on nothing accidents in their planetary operations. Paul, ( 2010 ) stated that: â€Å" In this new function Riley will describe to Bly and will take BP ‘s worldwide attempts to develop industry taking quality and rigour into BP ‘s operations, peculiarly as it relates to safety and operational hazard. aˆÂ ¦As a effect of the spill BP established a new Safety and Operation Risk unit to let functionaries to step in in all of BP ‘s proficient activities. † This move was necessary to cover with the concerns from the planetary environment sing the issues of safety in BP ‘s operations which resulted in the oil spill of April 2010. Their purpose is to standardize BP ‘s planetary safety and operational unity to a degree which would extinguish accidents and incidents go forthing negative impacts on the environment. Mr Riley was hence given this assignment to assist reconstruct the image and repute of BP as an environmentally caring company, since Mr Riley while he take BPTT had zero incidents. Johansson ( 2006, p537 ) stated: â€Å" Global public dealingss is a signifier of indirect publicity of merchandises and services that focuses on making good will towards the corporation as a whole. The corporate communications staff at central offices and its opposite number in the assorted host states serve as boosters of the corporation to assorted stakeholders interested in the company ‘s foreign enlargement † It is of import that rigorous policies on the Occupational Health and Safety Act are decently implemented and enforced. The Company ‘s image has to alter reflecting that they are an environmentally painstaking company. Therefore this is an effort by BP to reconstruct its trade name and image. Their image has to alter to one which is socially, ethically and environmentally witting. The spill of April 2010 has surely impacted negatively on BP ‘s image as a â€Å" green † company. It is of import that they return to the company ‘s vision and develop and implement schemes which would enable the company to cover with its image and trade name rebuilding. â€Å" The 1000000s of gallons of oil that have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico are more like an epidemic, one that we will be contending for months and even years.A But do no error: A We will contend this spill with everything we ‘ve got for every bit long as it takes.A We will do BP wage for the harm their company has caused.A And we will make whatever ‘s necessary to assist the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this calamity. † In the wake of the spill it would be advisable to BP to redrand its advancing the â€Å" new † company as a more human-centric and environmental painstaking company. BP would besides be advised to work with its stakeholders to guarantee such a catastrophe ne'er happensAFour possible ethical stance BP can followResearching Corporate Strategy, Seventh Edition A © Pearson Education Ltd 2005Word count: -2049

Importance of nutrition during the Infancy and Toddler-hood period Essay

Children are a blessing from God and it is therefore important that we ensure that those bundles of joy are well taken care of. Infants are generally taken to be children from birth to around one year, and it becomes therefore important to give them utmost care since they are at their most vulnerable stage in life. This care should not only be confined to attention and love but most importantly should be the focus of what and how best to feed the infant. Scientists have expressed their belief that what we feed our infants might have drastic consequences later in life. These consequences include such conditions as diabetes and obesity and the rampant rate of obesity in developed countries might just be a reflection of the inability of parents to feed their children’s appropriately (Fallows & Kingham, 2005). Doctors have stated categorically that child4ren should be fed milk only during the first six months of their lives and it should be noted that faulting this wise counsel could risk the health of these infants in the future. Breast milk contains all the vital nutrients that an infant need in order to grow and appropriate vitamins to boost his/her immune system top fend off diseases. It is important to note that while it is advisable to feed the infant using breast milk, infants could also be fed with formula as a supplement of breast milk. There are many reasons why many mothers choose to use formula to feed their babies. Some simply find out that breastfeeding does not work for them either for psychological or practical reasons. The demands of life that leads to very busy lifestyles work against the need for mothers to be with their children full time and formula simply happens to be a better alternative. However, there are still those who express their breast milk in feeding bottles and the milk is fed to the infant by someone else who is available to care for the toddler (Ward, 2009). Infants usually need to feed eight to twelve times in a day since they are growing rapidly and the proteins inside the milk are a vital component for this growth. For those with infants who sleep a lot, it is advisable to wake them regularly in order to feed the since failure to do so might hamper their growth. It is also recommended that parents take their babies to the clinic to have them weighed and observed to ensure that they are growing in a healthy manner and acquire vital information about how best to take care of their babies. There are signs to observe during the sixth month to signify that the infant is ready to start being weaned. This include such period when the baby can sit up, baby does not reject the food put in its mouth, can pick up food stuffs and stuff it into the mouth and an increased appetite for milk. Babies should be weaned slowly with a meal per day and it is important to continue breast feeding at least till one year. Some of the food which one can feed and infant include cereals, soft fruits, rice and vegetables that can be crushed. However, around 10 months infants are ready to be introduced to adult foods but such a transition should be handled with utmost care. As the baby becomes a toddler a period which lasts from between 12 months to 24 months, his food needs increases. During this period the toddler starts to walk and he requires increased proteins for growth and energy foods to sustain his activities. At this period toddlers may change their eating habits due to changes in growth patterns. Moreover, toddlers become choosy when it comes to certain foods and it is nothing to do with illness. Again, parents needs top be careful about the food they feed the infants and toddlers since some of them might be allergic and impair the health of this babies. They should therefore make a point of seeking information diligently about how best to feed their children (Papalia, Wendkos & Duskin, 2007). References Fallows,C. & Karen Kingham, K. (2005). Baby & Toddler Food. Murdoch books. Papalia, D. , Wendkos S. & Duskin, R. (2007). A Child’s World: Infancy through Adolescence:11th Ed. McGraw-Hill Ward, E. (2009). What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler. Retrieved May 17, 2009 from http://children. webmd. com/guide/what-to-feed-your-baby-toddler.

Chiang Kai-Shek Essays - Republic Of China, Chinese Christians

Chiang Kai-Shek Essays - Republic Of China, Chinese Christians Chiang Kai-Shek Chiang Kai-shek Chiang Kai-shek, also known as Chiang Chung-cheng, was the son of a middle-class wine merchant who lived in the village of Chikow in Chekiang Province. When he was fourteen years old, following the Chinese custom of that time, he was arranged to be marry by his mother (the brides name is not mentioned). His bride and he did not see each other until his walk down the aisle. He did this without complaints only to please his mother. Once he was married he met his brides parents, as was tradition. Due to Chiangs bad temper, the meeting ended in arguments between Chiang and his brides father. Once home he tried to keep his mind off of the marriage and concentrated more on what kind of man he wanted to become. He dreamed of becoming a soldier. He saw adventure in a military career and felt comfortable with the demand for authority, order, and strength. Though his family objected and hoped for him to study law, he went off to Tokyo Military Staff College in 1907. There he became a follower of the revolutionary leader Dr. Sun Yat-sen. This encouraged him in 1911 to take part in the revolt that established the Chinese Republic. In 1917 when Sun established the Guangzhou government, Chiang was his military aide. Sun sent him to the USSR to study Russia military methods and was more than willing to go. He got a good response from the people there. Not only did they give him advice but they also sent thirty or so military men as help. One of these men, named Michael Borodin suggested that they start a military academy in China. They placed it in Whampoa and named it the Whampoa Military Academy. Their main goal was to demand and deserve respect. Once opened they received 1,500 applicants. It planned to register only 300. Sun began to encourage Chiangs participation in the Nationalist party. After Sun died in 1925, Chiang became a powerful figure in the it and in 1926 took command of the Nationalist army. This was called the Northern Expedition, entering into Shanghai, Hankou, and Nanjing. Chiang initiated the long civil war between the Nationalist government and the Communists.. This was ended in 1936 by General Chang Hsueh-liang who hoped to unite in defense of the approaching Japanese. Many felt that unity could not be achieved unless Chiang were removed as commander-in-chief even before the expedition was completed. To avoid such humiliation, he resigned from his position. He issued a public statement to the newspapers. It said, I am willing to sacrifice my position in order to assist the unification of the party and to make possible the accomplishment of the chief objective of Kuomintang. With Chiangs mind no longer focused on the political issues he could now focus on himself. He decided to ask a young woman named Mayling Soong to marry him. He was no longer married to his childhood wife and now wanted a companion. First he had to get the approval of Mother Soong. She disagreed with his age and religious beliefs but eventually, happily gave her approval for their marriage. On December 1, 1927, they were married in the Soongs Shanghai home. Chiang continued with his political mission with Mayling at his side. Her knowledge and beauty helped him through his journey. Soon after his marriage Chiang gained back command of the Kuomintang army and continued heading north. In 1928 his army reached Peking and being the chief of the Nationalist party, he became head of the Republic of China. After many years and many hard battles he finally made peace with Japan. In the process he was elected Chinas president in 1943 and reelected in 1948. When the Communists won control of China in 1949, Chiang escaped to Taiwan and set up a Nationalist China government there. Chiang was reelected in 1954, 1960, 1966, and 1972. He died on April 5, 1975 after being ill since 1972 and left his official duties to his son, Premier Chiang Ching-kuo. After reading this book I am more understand of the struggles that China has had to face. Before this I did not even know who Chiang Kai-shek was. Now I know