Monday, February 24, 2020
Analyze the impact of recession and recovery on a countries public Essay
Analyze the impact of recession and recovery on a countries public finances - Essay Example The technical economic indicator associated with recession is economic growth which is negative which in quarters is two consecutive when measured by a nationââ¬â¢s GDP (Gross Domestic product) (Skousen 34-36). Monetary policy means the changes effected in money supply and interest rates in order to contract or expand aggregate demand. During recession, the federal government reduces the interest rates and increase money supply in return. However for monetary policy to be effective the confidence that both the consumers and businesses have in it play a pivotal role. Reduced interests rate may be inconsequential response to recession if the consumers and businesses do not take advantage of the reduced interest rates and increased money supply. This would in return greatly affect the recovery of and flow of money by the federal government. Fiscal policy means the changes made in regard to taxes and expenditure of the federal government with the main purpose of contracting or expanding aggregate demand level. In reference to recession, fiscal policy is applied when government lowers the peopleââ¬â¢s taxes and in turn increases its spending. On the other hand fiscal policy may also involve taxing more and spending less. However for this strategy to be effective it largely depends on savings and during imports. If the people save more and the businesses import more then fiscal policy counters recession contrary to the reverse. The reverse which in this case is less saving and importing activity ultimately scuttles recovery measures. Thirdly, by the federal government increasing its spending and lowering taxes, Automatic stabilizers are activated. This means that the progressive income tax is reduced and this in turn increases aggregate demand during recession thus enabling recovery. On the other hand, aggregate demand decreases in overheated expansion. As a result, the tax and spending changes result to recession deficit
Saturday, February 8, 2020
OSHA Citations & Penalties Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
OSHA Citations & Penalties - Essay Example Other Than Serious Violation is issued in occurrence of a directly related violation to work safety and health that cannot lead to death or severe injuries to an employee. In the case of Willful violation, it is issued to employers found having intentionally defiled the Act or knowingly assumed an existing hazardous conditions and no whatsoever efforts of abating them (Goetsh, 2012). A Repeat violation citation, on the other hand, is issued if after re-inspecting a firm the violations found were observed during the previous inspection and a citation issued. Lastly, Failure to Correct Previous Violation is a defiance that may lead to civil penalties with increment upon delays past the abatement date. In each case, penalties are proposed and in some cases subject to reduction depending on the level of compliance demonstrated by the employer (Goetsh, 2012). However, this is not case with the Repeat Violation citation and Failure to Correct Previous Violation, unless the original citation is under
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Penny Synthesis Essay Example for Free
Penny Synthesis Essay Penny Synthesis Essay To ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ not ban pennies, but merely discourage their use by establishing a systemâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ It is because I agree with Mark Lewis of Forbes. com, that I affirm abolishing the penny, yet with some restrictions. In 2001 a United States Representative by the name of Jim Kolbe introduced a proposition to eliminate the penny (United Statesââ¬â¢ lowest denomination coin). To deeply reason as to why an individual might support this proposition, we must look at three different points of analysis. First, ââ¬Å" How zinc manufacturing around the nation may be affected due to this decisionâ⬠, Second, ââ¬Å" What this means for the people of this country on an economical standpointâ⬠, and Thirdly, ââ¬Å" What are the benefits of eliminating the penny in terms of time and moneyâ⬠. According to Source A, since 1982 penny manufacturing has been produced from 97. 5% zinc material. Mentioned, as opposition to this bill, is Tennessee who is rich in raw zinc. Representative Kolbeââ¬â¢s idea is to make the nickel the countryââ¬â¢s lowest denomination coin. Interesting enough Kolbeââ¬â¢s state of Arizona is rich in copper, which makes up most of the higher denominational coins. Keep in mind zinc manufacturing is not solely dependent upon penny manufacturing. The fact that this issue is being used to negate this bill is invalid because of this exact reasoning. Moreover, The proposition would gradually eliminate manufacturing instead of suddenly stopping production. This gives time for manufacturing companies to find other means of work besides the penny. It is understood from the proposition that prices would be altered rounding to the nearest nickelââ¬â¢s place. The study shows that if a personââ¬â¢s time is worth $15 an hour (which we all know itââ¬â¢s worth less than that, but thatââ¬â¢s a different story) a person would be losing close to $60 per year. The penny will always be a crucial statement in our nationââ¬â¢s history yet we must keep our mind set on the future. In the words of Bob Dylan, ââ¬Å" Times are a changing. â⬠It is a better economical strategy to gradually eliminate the penny from circular use. From this reasoning I affirm Jim Kolbeââ¬â¢s proposition to eliminate the penny.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Young Consumer: Their Value To Media Advertising And The Economy Es
The Young Consumer: Their Value To Media Advertising And The Economy An advertiser of new trend setting products often struggles with choosing a target market but now the choice is becoming clear. The young consumer market has developed itself into an empire in which companies flourish. Boys and girls ages 13-25 set the wave for what is considered cool and what isnââ¬â¢t. As a result, companies have carefully listened to what these ââ¬Å"kidsâ⬠have to say and then tried to develop products and ideas that resemble what they consider to be cool. Companies have focused their products around this up and coming group and by realizing what an impact they make, they have profited and the economy has yielded a substantial return. The question is how have several companies reached out to these individuals? Simply put, the media. Generation Y, the largest group of kids since the baby boomers, are much more media inclined which means that they have been more influenced by advertising than previous generations. The media should continue to be used as a source of advertising to young consumers because product consumption by this group is a huge benefit to the economy. The media should be used for anything that benefits the economy. Therefore the use of media advertising to influence the young consumer and vise-versa should continue because the outcome has resulted in a substantial benefit to not only the economy but, companies alike. I understand that people may consider the use of media to advertise products/ideas to young people could bring forth an unrealistic view of what everyone should be. Advertising often portrays the ââ¬Å"perfectâ⬠idea or individual and some may argue that it is unhealthy to do so because it results in things like low sel... ... On ââ¬ËOwn Voiceââ¬â¢ Mags.â⬠Advertising Age June 2004: 16 pars. Communication and Mass Media Complete. EBSCOhost. University of Denver Penrose Library, Denver. 19 Jan. 2005 . Stanley, T.L. ââ¬Å"Marketers Angle To Catch The Rising Stars.â⬠Advertising Age Aug. 2004 8 pars. Communication and Mass Media Complete. EBSCOhost. University of Denver Penrose Library, Denver. 19 Jan. 2004 . White, Amy. ââ¬Å"Pepsi ââ¬ËCelebrityââ¬â¢ Cans For Top Pop Appeal To Teens.â⬠Media Asia April 2004: 2 pars. Business Source Premier. EBSCOhost. University of Denver Penrose Library, Denver. 7 Feb. 2005 . Zollo, Peter. Wise Up To Teens. Ithaca: New Strategist Publications, 1999.
Monday, January 13, 2020
India needs leadership Essay
India being a strong democratic country doesnââ¬â¢t really need a dictator. It may just lead to disruption. India is a big country. People live in harmony and are known for their unity. A dictator may not be able to maintain this. Few people may again misunderstand dictatorship and may think it defies the purpose of freedom. Dictatorship may bring very short term changes. A country needs a strong government. Dictatorship may introduce communal differences depending on the community of the dictator. Human rights can be certainly bypassed. It may lead to disorganization and malfunctioning of the law and order system of the country. For A dictator can easily help us get rid of the dirt in politics. A very small community of people actually understands the meaning of democracy and donââ¬â¢t make misuse of it. For over decades, India is trying to get rid of poverty, may be, a dictator can help in this aspect. A dictator can help the citizens realize the meaning of democracy and freedom. Whether a country has a dictator or not, freedom of speech and rights is what matters to any citizen. It is a myth that smaller countries usually need dictatorship. We cannot forget the smaller country has the same human species with the same human rights as in other countries. Discussion board though Dictatorship may banish dirty politics and corruption from india, I think that choosing is a dictator will end the right to speak ability which evrey indian has!! peole may lost democracy.. and ultimately dictatorship will give born to another hitlar or gaddafi or saddam where human right is was snatched. So india will be a heaven of silence. . India needs strong dictator India doesnââ¬â¢t need a dictator but, it certainly need a strong democratic alliance, which can take some tough decision on the problems which are rising in India. India need a group of people who are not afraid to take some strict actions and go against the law if necessary to bring some fruitful result. For example bihar , UP etc. are under lots of terrorism so if there is a good government which can take some measure to curb the corruption and terrorism then we donââ¬â¢t require a dictator. Democracy should be above all the law, for example they should pass the LOKPAL which is being supported by democracy then lots of things can be done, but the government and the people in the parliament are not strong enough to see the viewpoint and not ready to make changes. India needs a strong dictator There are various opinions of one but do we really want to go the middle east way? Do we really want another Gaddafi or Bashar amidst us? Democracy prevents wars from happening, promotes nThere are two kinds of reasons why India doesnââ¬â¢t need a dictator: strategic, and ethical. First strategic. Against- In a democratic country like India, divided into various layers and clusters based on caste, religion, gender, region, ethnic and other basis, democracy is a great leveler because of two reasons: each personââ¬â¢s value is one (as a vote) and secondly, most people feel that they have a stake in this system, particularly those who vote, and we have very high voting percentages across the world for democratic nations for our elections, particularThe only thing is whether they will justify it or like Thackeray, proudly say they did the wrong thing and ask others to challenge it if they dare to. When Indian people feel they have no stake in a system (they really wonââ¬â¢t have a stake, because there is no MLA or MP they can go to in case the bureaucracy strikes at their rights), they will take to protest. A dictator will not allow non-violent protests most certainly, so they will take to violent protests someday. That will only mean violence and secession. Indiaââ¬â¢s experience shows us that it is extension of democracy which solves our problems, be it in Mizoram or to an extent now in Assam, not dictatorship or army rule as seen in Kashmir. If India had a dictatorship earlier during the time of independence, states like Tamil Nadu and Assam as well as North-East would have done all to secede somehow. Thankfully, because democracy was there and Nehru believed strongly in it, we accommodated regional aspirations and that is why those issues were solved. And our issues can only be resolved in this way. Now ethical. I agree that a dictator can take decisions quickly, and democracy is always messy, not just in India but in general anywhere. But development is nothing without equity, because development is for whom? Human beings. And it should be for all. Those who have no stake in such development will engage in violence sooner or later.ly at local and provincial levels. Once you introduce dictatorship, letââ¬â¢s face it, the dictator will have a certain identity and do things as he/she likes. Indira Gandhi is a good example. Itââ¬â¢s good in theory to think of benign dictators, but no dictator has ever been benign in the world, and no one can guarantee that someone will be a benign dictator. Even Manmohan Singh, the most soft-spoken of Indian politicians will not be a benign dictator, forget anyone else. Dictators will relish the power they have and soon use it to do wrongon aggression and freedom of expression. A country like India needs a democratic government which can work together as a unit to unite people around them which would in return help the country to develop. And itââ¬â¢s their right to have such stake, every humanââ¬â¢s right. So democracy will be messy when it takes into consideration every humanââ¬â¢s right in each and every development issue. But that equity in taking decisions is as much important as the decision itself. That is democracy. We have to accept it. It canââ¬â¢t be one man show or one party show. It has to be every person engaged in the decision. For- A resounding yes! As a common man i am ashamed to the stinking, shamelessly twisted ,grossly illogical and unimaginable twisting of democracy has taken this nation to. so called leaders who are better off cleaning ditches are rolling on the dirt of corruption, greed and power with their deaths no where in sight Ok lets VOTE for change! Hell no Its voting for ONE ââ¬Ëdirty excuse of a human beingââ¬â¢ or the Other filthy Bââ¬ât-rd Fools (noâ⬠¦ fools are decent) ââ¬Å"pathetic excuse for the word foolâ⬠who are barely biologically human & who cant even manage themselves are trying to manage(make it mismanage and loot) ministries and states What India needs a strong and well minded dictator (No Idi-amins) who will rebuild the nation execute/exile for ever(a hidden secret Guantanamo bay) the corrupted-septic-infected politicians ranging from Kerala to Kashmir and rule wisely till India matures to be democracy or till no descendants of filthy politicians remain. What will it take to overcome India of its worst-in-the-world-corruption , its antique and grossly inefficient government ,judiciary & worst of all politicians who still ravage the nationâ⬠¦.Any such movement i am ready to participate as a true patriot to the nationâ⬠¦.I CARE but i donââ¬â¢t know how i can make a differenceâ⬠¦.we need a revolution and strong dictator (No maoists please)â⬠¦..Will there be a way ..is there a leader who we can support â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦one among the clean poiticians who will have the gutsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦help us pls Its a scream for help from a helpless citizenâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦.looking for a way to liberate his fellow Indians from the satanical clutch India is inâ⬠¦.help usâ⬠¦help us help us patriots waiting to serve the nation For- Itââ¬â¢s been more than sixty-five years since India achieved independence. The effort, toil, blood and passion of our respected freedom fighters gave us the India of today. It was their ultimate dream to craft a nation whose members were free and an integral part of the countryââ¬â¢s decision making. The Indian democracy with its much detailed Constitution was a result of their dream. Sixty-five years on, India might be free and those running the nation might be the elected representatives of the masses, but India continues to be plagued by the same old problems of poverty, economic inequality, illiteracy, population, widespread corruption and the same old socio-economic issues. It is perhaps the time of an able, strong-minded, powerful dictator to take hold of the country and cleanse the entire system. Here is a look at 10 reasons why this might prove effective for the country:- â⬠¢ Dictatorship will breed development though straightforward decision making: A dictator being the all powerful head of the state will face no opposition from other parties as in a democracy. He will thus have complete freedom to execute his decisions which might breed development. â⬠¢ Better control the variables of human development: One of the biggest examples is China (a Communist country) where the population has been brought under control by the government, through the one-child norm policy which is virtually impossible in the Indian democracy. â⬠¢ Dictatorship is a more economic institution: In a country like India where poverty is a lingering problem, it is but a luxury to spend lakhs on a single election. Dictatorship is thus a far more economic institution. â⬠¢ Dictatorships regimes can be a path for countries to move on from civil wars and focus on development: China can be used as an example yet again, as the country has been almost absolutely insulated from wars and terrorist attacks. â⬠¢ Dictatorships have flexibility in economic policy that breeds growth: Democracy can often stagnate economic development. An example is West Bengal where the Tata group could not establish their factory in Singur due to stiff resistance from the opposition party in the government. â⬠¢ Dictatorship helps achieve social stability: Yes it does. â⬠¢ The longer lasting and biggest economic miracles have occurred under dictatorships : An example is Hitlerââ¬â¢s reign in Germany. ââ¬Å"The Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, at a time when its economy was in total collapse, with ruinous war-reparation obligations and zero prospects for foreign investment or credit. Yet through an independent monetary policy of sovereign credit and a full-employment public-works program, the Third Reich was able to turn a bankrupt Germany, stripped of overseas colonies it could exploit, into the strongest economy in Europe within four years, even before armament spending began.â⬠â⬠¢ Dictatorship breeds order: In a country like India where law and order is disrupted time and again, dictatorship is definitely going to help out. Even in the 21st century Indian women are vulnerable and rape and molestation cases are reported throughout the country from upscale Delhi to the remoteà villages of Burdwan. India needs a really strong leader who can make the country safe enough for our women to move around fearlessly, with their heads held high. â⬠¢ Dictators have incentives to promote development and diminish social differences: A lot of readers might still be optimistic enough to feel that democracy will spell better days for India, but as a youth frustrated with the current situation of my country I feel that we really need a change and dictatorship may just be the way out for a better, brighter India.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Essay On The Killer Strain - 1368 Words
kers in the two examinations sensibly acknowledge that there is a cost to assurance and that this cost isnt as much as the cost of toxin age borne by the killer strain. Inferable from this third part, pairwise joint efforts among the strains have the nontransitive structure of the youth session of shake scissors paper (Bagenda et al. 2007). The creator strain beats the sensitive strain, inferable from the effects of the toxic substance on the last said. The sensitive strain beats the sheltered strain in light of the way that elite the last perseveres through the cost of security. In an unstructured area, this redirection grants incidental cycles, in which each one of the three sorts match uncertainly yet each with fluctuating riches. Inâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦2013). The hyperimmunity state is come to if the system starts with enough not too bad assortment that most territories starting at now have diverse killer and assurance properties. All the more starting late, exploratory trial of a couple of these speculative conclusions have been represented. The primary used as a piece of vitro systems (liquid culture, static plate, and mixed plate circumstances) to review the impact of adjacent affiliations and dispersal on the wealth of three strains of E. coli (C ââ¬â colicin creator; S ââ¬â colicin tricky; R ââ¬â colicin safe). This examination revealed that in conditions where affiliations and dispersal were not only neighborhood, the sheltered strain outperformed the gathering over the traverse of the test. On the other hand, in the static plate condition, where correspondences and dispersal were only neighborhood, the three phenotypes were kept up at similar densities all through the trial (Zacharof et al. 2012). The third condition, mixed plate, revealed that advancement on a surface isnt the key factor, as assurance overpowered exchange strains in this plate in addition. The essential part is whether the affiliations are adjacent or not. The second examination used a mouse model to investigate completely the same colicin components in an in vivo setting, the mouse gut. The C, S, and R strains in these examinations revealed the exceptionally sameShow MoreRelatedLiterary Analysis Of Little Scarlet905 Words à |à 4 PagesBriana Fuquay English 101 10/31/17 Essay#2 Literary Analysis The 1960ââ¬â¢s were an era in the United States where new ideas were developing, and more specifically ideas pertaining to the civil rights movement and its expansion. Protests, parades, and riots were occurring in an attempt to spread freedom for all people, and as some of these events became relevant in the news, the tensions of the country rose. Violence was occurring in many parts of the country due to the ideas of these whoRead MoreA Discussion On The Illness Of Depression942 Words à |à 4 Pagesmanaging clinical depression. 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Saturday, December 28, 2019
Biography of Pedro de Alvarado, Conquistador
Pedro de Alvarado (1485-1541) was a Spanish conquistador who participated in the Conquest of the Aztecs in Central Mexico in 1519 and led the Conquest of the Maya in 1523. Referred to as Tonatiuh or Sun God by the Aztecs because of his blonde hair and white skin, Alvarado was violent, cruel and ruthless, even for a conquistador for whom such traits were practically a given. After the Conquest of Guatemala, he served as governor of the region, although he continued to campaign until his death in 1541. Fast Facts: Pedro de Alvarado Known For: Conquest and enslavement of indigenous people of Mexico and Latin AmericaBorn: c. 1485, Badajoz, Castile, SpainParents: Gà ³mez de Alvarado, Leonor de ContrerasDied: 1541, in or near Guadalajara, New Spain (Mexico)Spouse(s): Francisca de la Cueva, Beatriz de la CuevaChildren: Leonor de Alvarado y Xicotenga Tecubalsi, Pedro de Alvarado, Diego de Alvarado, Gà ³mez de Alvarado, Ana (Anita) de Alvarado (all illegitimate) Early Life Pedros exact year of birth is unknown: it was probably sometime between 1485 and 1495. Like many conquistadores, he was from the province of Extremaduraââ¬âthe city of Badajoz, in his case. Like many younger sons of minor nobility, Pedro and his brothers could not expect much in the way of an inheritance. They were expected to become priests or soldiers, as working the land was considered beneath them. In about 1510 he went to the New World with several brothers and an uncle. They soon found work as soldiers in the various expeditions of conquest that originated on Hispaniola, including the brutal conquest of Cuba. Personal Life and Appearance Alvarado was blond and fair, with blue eyes and pale skin that fascinated the natives of the New World. He was considered affable by his fellow Spaniards and the other conquistadores trusted him. He married twice: first to Spanish noblewoman Francisca de la Cueva, who was related to the powerful Duke of Albuquerque, and then later, after her death, to Beatriz de la Cueva, who survived him and briefly became governor in 1541. His longtime native companion, Doà ±a Luisa Xicotencatl, was a Tlaxcalan Princess given to him by the lords of Tlaxcala when they made an alliance with the Spanish. He had no legitimate children but did father several illegitimate ones. Alvarado and the Conquest of the Aztecs In 1518, Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s mounted an expedition to explore and conquer the mainland, and Alvarado and his brothers quickly signed on. Alvarados leadership was recognized early on by Cortà ©s, who put him in charge of ships and men. He would eventually become Cortà ©s right-hand man. As the conquistadores moved into central Mexico and a showdown with the Aztecs, Alvarado proved himself time and again as a brave, capable soldier, even if he did have a noticeable cruel streak. Cortà ©s often entrusted Alvarado with important missions and reconnaissance. After the conquest of Tenochtitlà ¡n, Cortà ©s was forced to head back to the coast to face Pà ¡nfilo de Narvà ¡ez, who had brought soldiers from Cuba to take him into custody. Cortà ©s left Alvarado in charge while he was gone. The Temple Massacre In Tenochtitlà ¡n (Mexico City), tensions were high between the indigenous people and the Spanish. The noble class of Aztecs seethed at the audacious invaders, who were laying claim to their wealth, property, and women. On May 20, 1520, the nobles gathered for their traditional celebration of Toxcatl. They had already asked Alvarado for permission, which he had granted. Alvarado heard rumors that the Mexica were going to rise up and slaughter the intruders during the festival, so he ordered a pre-emptive attack. His men slaughtered hundreds of unarmed nobles at the Festival. According to the Spanish, they slaughtered the nobles because they had proof that the festivities were a prelude to an attack designed to kill all of the Spanish in the city. The Aztecs, however, claimed the Spanish only wanted the golden ornaments many of the nobility were wearing. No matter what the cause, the Spanish fell on the unarmed nobles, slaughtering thousands. The Noche Triste Cortà ©s returned to Mexico and quickly tried to restore order, but the effort was in vain. The Spanish were under a state of siege for several days before they sent Emperor Moctezuma to speak to the crowd. According to the Spanish account, he was killed by stones thrown by his own people. With Moctezuma dead, the attacks increased until the night of June 30, when the Spanish tried to sneak out of the city under cover of darkness. They were discovered and attacked; dozens were killed as they attempted to escape, laden down with treasures. During the escape, Alvarado allegedly made a mighty leap from one of the bridges. For a long time afterward, the bridge was known as Alvarados Leap. Guatemala and the Maya Cortà ©s, with the help of Alvarado, was able to regroup and retake the city, setting himself up as governor. More Spanish arrived to help colonize, govern, and rule the remnants of theà Aztec Empire. Among the loot discovered were ledgers of sorts detailing tribute payments from neighboring tribes and cultures, including several considerable payments from a culture known as the Kiche far to the south. A message was sent to the effect that there had been a change in management in Mexico City but the payments should continue. Predictably, the fiercely independent Kiche ignored it. Cortà ©s selectedà Pedro de Alvaradoà to head south and investigate, and in 1523 he gathered up 400 men, many of whom had horses, and several thousand indigenous allies. The Conquest of Utatlà ¡n Cortà ©s had been successful because of his ability to turn Mexican ethnic groups against one another, and Alvarado had learned his lessons well. The Kiche Kingdom, located in the city of Utatlà ¡n near present-day Quetzaltenango in Guatwasa, was by far the strongest of the kingdoms in the lands that had once been home to the Mayan Empire. Cortà ©s quickly made an alliance with the Kaqchikel, traditional bitter enemies of the Kiche. All of Central America had been devastated by disease in the previous years, but the Kiche were still able to put 10,000 warriors into the field, led by Kiche warlord Tecà ºn Umà ¡n.à The Spanish routed the Kicheà in February 1524 at the battle of El Pinal, ending the greatest hope of large-scale native resistance in Central America. Conquest of the Maya With the mighty Kiche defeated and their capital city of Utatlà ¡n in ruins, Alvarado was able to pick off the remaining kingdoms one by one. By 1532 all of the major kingdoms had fallen, and their people had been given by Alvarado to his men as virtual slaves. Even the Kaqchikels were rewarded with slavery. Alvarado was namedà the governorà of Guatemala and established a city there, near the site of present-dayà Antigua. He served for 17 years. Further Adventures Alvarado was not content to sit idly in Guatemala counting his newfound wealth. He would abandon his duties as governor from time to time in search of more conquest and adventure. Hearing of the great wealth in the Andes, he set out with ships and men to conquerà Quito. By the time he arrived, it had already been captured byà Sebastian de Benalcazarà on behalf ofà the Pizarro brothers. Alvarado considered fighting the other Spaniards for it, but he ultimately allowed them to buy him off. He was named the governor of Honduras and occasionally went there to enforce his claim. Alvarados Cruelty as Described by Las Casas All of the conquistadores were ruthless, cruel and bloodthirsty, but Pedro de Alvarado was in a class by himself. He ordered massacres of women and children, razed entire villages, enslaved thousands, and threw indigenous people to his dogs when they displeased him. When he decided to go to the Andes, he took with him thousands of Central Americans to work and fight for him; most of them died en route or once they got there. Alvarados singular inhumanity drew the attention ofà Fray Bartolomà © de Las Casas, the enlightened Dominican who was the Great Defender of the Indians. In 1542, Las Casas wrote A Short History of the Destruction of the Indies, in which he railed against the abuses committed by the conquistadores. Although he did not mention Alvarado by name, Las Casas clearly referred to him: This man in the space of fifteen years, which was from the year 1525 to 1540, together with his associates, massacred no less then five millions of men, and do daily destroy those that are yet remaining. It was the custom of this Tyrant, when he made war upon any Town or Country, to carry along with him as many as he could of the subdued Indians, compelling them to make war upon their Countrymen, and when he had ten or twenty thousand men in his service, because he could not give them provision, he permitted them to eat the flesh of those Indians that they had taken in war: for which cause he had a kind of shambles in his Army for the ordering and dressing of mans flesh, suffering Children to be killed and boiled in his presence. The men they killed only for their hands and feet, for those they accounted dainties. Death Alvarado returned to Mexico to campaign in the Mexican northwest around 1540. In 1541, he died in present-day Michoacà ¡n when a horse rolled over on him during a battle. Legacy Alvarado is best remembered in Guatemala, where he is even more reviled than is Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s in Mexico. His Kiche opponent Tecà ºn Umà ¡n is a national hero whose likeness appears on the 1/2 Quetzal note. Even today, Alvarados cruelty is legendary: Guatemalans who do not know much about their history will recoil at his name. In short, he is remembered as the most vicious of the conquistadoresââ¬âif he is remembered at all. Still, there is no denying that Alvarado had a profound effect on the history of Guatemala andà Central Americaà in general, even if most of it was negative. The villages and towns he gave away to his conquistadores formed the basis forà some currentà municipal divisions and his experiments with moving conquered people around resulted in some cultural exchange among the Maya. Sources: Dà az del Castillo, Bernal.à The Conquest of New Spain.à New York: Penguin, 1963 (originalà written circa 1575).Herring, Hubert.à A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present.à New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962.Foster, Lynn V. New York: Checkmark Books, 2007.de las Casas, Bartolomà ©. An Account, Much Abbreviated, of the Destruction of the Indies, with Related Texts, ed. Franklin W. Knight, tr. Andrew Hurley (Hackett Publ. Co., 2003), pp. 2-3, 6-8.à National Humanities Center, 2006.
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