Abstract
This paper evaluates the impact of the Marshall Plan for European recovery after the Second World War. It discusses the Marshall Plan, not merely for its economic achievements, but for its ambitious political agenda and its inadvertent shaping of subsequent European history. It describes its stated goal of bringing about economic recovery to the war-ravaged countries of Western Europe and also its involvement in setting in motion forces that changed the political face of Europe and set the stage for the subsequent emergence of the European Union. Finally, it looks at its contribution to the escalation of the Cold War and the eventual collapse of the former Soviet Union.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Keywords
Body

From the Paper
"The European Recovery Program, more commonly known as the Marshall Plan (after its creator, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall), is widely considered to be one of the most successful foreign-aid programs in the history of American foreign policy. Most historians have nothing but praise for the Marshall Plan, and analyses of its achievements generally focus on the favorable circumstances in Europe that contributed to its success. However, with the hindsight of over half a century, one might legitimately ask if this unqualified praise is justified. Did the Marshall Plan really make a significant difference in the difficult process of European post-war recovery? This paper will argue that it did, that it played an integral role not only in the rebuilding of Europe, but also in establishing a new world order after World War II. The paper will discuss: (1) the economic and political situation in Western Europe after World War II that led to the creation of the Marshall Plan; (2) the conception and goals of the Marshall Plan; (3) the various European responses to the Marshall Plan and European participation in it; (4) the economic accomplishments of the Marshall Plan; and (5) the impact of the Marshall Plan on Europe as a whole. The paper will conclude that the influence of the Marshall Plan extended far beyond what the plan was originally intended to achieve."

Tags:World, War, II, economic, crisis, communism, CEEC, Soviet, Union, expansionism

Abstract
This paper discusses the long history of Russia and the events that led to the 1905 revolution, which was one of the major events that led to the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. The paper discusses the major causes of the revolution, the political recourse of the revolution, and the long lasting impacts it had on society.

From the Paper
"Russian discontent went back as far as the 1800's. There was an almost non-existent middle-class. The country was ruled by a Tsar; he was the ultimate ruler and had control over taxation, law, army, religion, etc. Tsar shared some of his power with nobles (high class citizens) and the rest of the population was peasants and servants. The servants were basically slaves; they could be bought and sold as chattels. Clearly this presented a major problem amongst the general population and something needed to change. The non-noble class desperately needed an improvement in their lifestyles. However, how is a country that has been operating under the same concept and beliefs for centuries supposed to change its ways over night without major moves and reforms that could potentially cause more problems?"

Tags:tsars, alexander II, december uprising, bolsheviks, alexander III, zemstva, emancipation of serfs, crimean War

Abstract
This paper examines Benito Mussolini's march on Rome not as an attempt to control Italy, but as an intelligently conceived plan which went virtually unscathed which proved to be the greatest victory in Mussolini's political career.

From the Paper
"Benito Mussolini's triumph of Italian Fascism had just begun in October of 1922 when he received a telegram from General Cittadini: "His Majesty the King asks you to come immediately to Rome for he wishes to offer you the responsibility of forming a Ministry..."1 Previously to this offer, Benito Mussolini had created a party called the Partito Nazionale Fascista (that is, the Fascist party) which was meant to topple the weak Italian government and install a regime of militarism and anti-socialism. Mussolini's followers and sympathizers were mostly young men who had fought in World War I. "

Tags:axis, benito, fascism, italian, mussolini, war, world, ww2

Abstract
This paper explores the phenomena of "ostalgie", nostalgia for the old East German state, that has been a part of the reunification process in Germany since the Berlin Wall came down. The paper focuses first on the reasons why former East Germans would reminisce about the GDR, and then shifts to examine how ostalgie is affecting life in reunified Germany. Both the origins and manifestations of ostalgie are looked at in terms of political, economic, and social ramifications.

From the Paper
"When the Berlin Wall opened in November 1989, a sense of fulfillment of the German historical destiny was in the air. Finally, after a tragic and terrible past, a new Germany was rising, full of hope and aware of its potential. This jubilant period was well documented in international press; contemporaries will surely never forget the moment. But a lesser-known reality soon set in for the new Germans. West and East Germans confronted the actualities of the "other" culture and it became apparent that the integration of the old German Democratic Republic into the Federal Republic of Germany would be quite difficult. As the situation for easterners has failed to live up to westerners' promises, many citizens of the old GDR question the unification. Much of the eastern German population feels the unification has not done anything to make conditions better. In some cases, they believe conditions have worsened there is a higher unemployment rate, their intimate attachment to their eastern history and culture is being severed, and they have lost their political voice. This disillusionment with their present state has caused many easterners to reminisce about the "simpler times" of the GDR, in which they were assured a job, a house, and a safe environment."

Tags:berlin, communist, east, gdr, german, germany, ostalgie, reunification, soviet, wall

Abstract
The state of East Germany was established in 1949 under Communist rule, and its capital, the city of Berlin, became a symbol of division between Western democratic Europe and Eastern Communist Europe. While, in theory, Communism appeared to be the perfect ideology, when imposed upon East Germany, Communism proved itself to be an unattainable ideal. Through the analysis of the rise of Communism, leadership under Communist rule, and the fall of Communism in East Germany, this paper proves that Communism is, indeed, an unrealistic and unachievable ideology.

From the Paper
"Communism's political and economic ascension to power had a tremendous impact on East Germans. WWII left the people of Germany unstable and insecure. When the Allies took control over Germany and eradicated all traces of the previous Nazi government, the common people of Germany were both relieved and scared of what was to come. They knew for sure, however, that they did not want to be under communist rule as in 1946, when the free elections took place, East Berliners failed to elect the East German Communist Party. Unfortunately, the Soviet Union would not accept defeat, so it created the Socialist Unity Party, a "political force for the common people". Tricked by the new image and influenced by propaganda, the majority of East Germans elected the SED."

Tags:Khrushchev, SED, Berlin, Wall

Abstract
This paper is a country profile on Italy that reflects the current adversities that Italy faces. Afflictions outlined include illegal immigration, corruption, and elections. The paper explains the problems Italy has faced in the past, and the problems they face now. It also emphasizes the difficulty in repairing these problems.

From the Paper
"The Italian Republic, better known as Italy, became a nationwide state in 1861; they were united under King Victor Emmanuel. It originally had a parliamentary government; that came to an abrupt end in the early 1920s when the Fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, established a dictatorship. He formed an alliance with Nazi Germany that ultimately led to both Mussolini and Italy's defeat in World War II.(1) Italy's economy was finally revived in 1946 when a democratic republic replaced the monarchy. In 1999, Italy joined the European Monetary Union and now uses the "Euro Dollar" as their currency. This paper will show that Italy's most current affliction revolves around the influx of illegal immigration."

Tags:benito, mussolini, europe, lira, euro, sicily, silvio, berlusconi, government, rome

Abstract
This paper discusses how throughout history, the British Army was invariably the instrument used to suppress or combat the various uprisings and revolts of the Irish people and in particular the current occupation of Northern Ireland since 1969 in order to keep the peace between the Catholics and Protestants. It evaluates their growing presence with the increase in violence throughout the seventies and how their stated role there was ambiguous, undefined, continually changing and often ill suited for them. It examines the frustrations and attitudes of both the army and the Irish people and the growing friction between them. This paper includes as an appendix, newspaper coverage of the Bloody Sunday Massacre.

From the Paper
"The British Army and Ireland have always had an interesting relationship. Throughout history both have been linked to each other in a variety of ways. The British Army was invariably the instrument used to suppress or combat the various uprisings and revolts of the Irish people. Surprisingly however Ireland has in turn been a stable source of manpower for the British Army since the eighteenth century. Young men forced by poor economic times and even starvation have continually flocked to the "Colors" of British Regiments for over two hundred years. Even since the partition of the island into the Irish Republic and Ulster, Ireland continues to provide a steady supply of recruits to "Irish Units" within the modern British Military."

Tags:belfast, british, foreign, ira, policy, troubles, ulster, civilians, soldiers

Abstract
This essay analyzes the effectiveness of the Stasi, the former secret police agency in East Germany, in defending the former German Democratic Republic's government. The author attempts to prove that the Stasi carried out their task adequately and efficiently, showing how aspects beyond the Stasi's control caused the fall of communism in East Germany. A brief history of the Stasi is presented, highlighting some of their operations and recruiting methods. The question of what makes a successful secret police agency is also discussed. The paper includes information about the Stasi's leadership under Erich Mielke. In summary, the author reiterates that the Stasi, was one of the most capable secret police agencies in the world. The paper uses MLA style footnotes but does not include a works cited page.

From the Paper
"The word Stasi comes from an abbreviation of the German word Staatssicherhei, literally State Security . Founded on 9 February 1950 under William Zaisser, the Stasi was modeled after both the Russian Checka and the Soviet MGB. Until the collapse of the GDR in 1991, the Stasi remained an extremely loyal and effective partner to the Soviets. Although the Stasi were officially granted independence in 1950, it was really only a superficial independence, as the now KGB employed liaison officers within the Stasi until 1990 3. This relationship is more logical when you think of the GDR in the context of its relationship with the Soviet Union. As the USSR acted as a big brother to the GDR, it makes sense for their respective security agencies to take similar roles."

Tags:Communism, German Democratic Republic, Erich Mielke, Secret Police, Gestapo, Checka

Abstract
An historical analysis of the rebellions that took place in Ireland on Easter Monday of 1916. This paper argues that without this particular rising, though there were many before and after, the independence of Ireland would not have occured. The influence of the Irish Rising created the momentum needed to pursue political and social change in Ireland.

From the Paper
Every revolution is the consequence of one revolution and the beginning of another (Evans, 588). The Easter Rising of 1916 in Ireland was no exception. Tensions had been building between the Irish and British for nearly 350 years. The rebellions of 1584, 1595, 1641, 1689, 1798, 1803, 1848, and 1867 furthered the conflict between the two states, and resulted in the rebellion of 1916 (Dangerfield, 202). The conflict was centred on the quest for an Irish state, independent of the British Empire. The rising of 1916 brought about a social revolution seeking political change, and began the attempts at a military coup that would last nearly an entire century. This was accomplished through the proclamation of the Republic, the growing political power of Sinn Fein, and the fighting itself."

Tags:revolution, republic, nationalistic, rebel, independent, Dublin, Irish, IRA

Abstract
This essay discusses the history of expansion of the power of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) jurisprudence over the legislation of European Union member states, and examines several explanations for this expansion. The author then considers how this application of ECJ law impresses on the integration of the acquis communitaire into the administration of both the existing member states and the accession states. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the implications that the expanded role of the European Court of Justice may hold for the future of the European Union.

Introduction
Expanding Role of the European Court of Justice
Role of the ECJ in the Integration of EU Policy
into "Sovereign" States & Implications for the Future of
the European Union
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Since the 1950's the European Court of Justice's role in European society has grown dramatically. This growth has perhaps been unnoticed by politicians in the various member states of the European Union. Additionally, most political scientists have largely ignored the European Court of Justice.[1] The expansion of the ECJ has reached a point where ECJ jurisprudence is being used by national courts to overrule some laws promulgated by national legislatures![2] Given that no existing treaty within the EU provides this sort of autonomy or authority to the ECJ [3], one would not be silly to question how such a situation has come about."

Tags:community, court, european, union, enlarge, effect, law