Nietzsches Critique of Liberalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nietzsches Critique of Liberalism - Essay Example Against the backdrop of liberalism movement that was taking place in the late 17th century and early 18th century, Nietzsche claimed that democracy only worked to protect the rights of the majority, which included the general population compared to the liberal idea that democracy worked to protect the rights and interests of individual people (Ansell-Pearson, 1994). This view on liberalism strikes the right chord because, in every sense, democracy in the modern world is based on the rights of the majority against the rights of individuals. This means most constitutions, the world over, claim to protect the rights and privileges of individuals yet, on the other hand, the rights of the majority overrules. It is only in exceptional cases, which often involve the affluent in society, that this view is applied. The rich are always given their rights when they demand them. The idea of liberalism emphasized on protecting the rights of every individual, but according to Nietzsche, these individuals’ are usually the rich people in society. The liberals did not protect the rights of the general citizenry as they claimed. Instead, they were clustered in one group and their rights were determined as a whole’. Nevertheless, the rights of the majority came in as a second priority since the liberals focused on securing the rights of the affluent in society. This means that the poor or middle income had no say; since the rich people were the main decision and policy makers because only their voice counted in key decision making. This notion created a slave mentality among such liberal states. According to Peters, et al (2003), Nietzsche also believed in the mastery of oneself. He believed that human beings should define their live according to themselves and rid themselves pity of the weak members of the society. In order for an individual to succeed in a society, he should not be tied to any equality standards, but be allowed to go grow beyond boarders in tandem with their abilities. This means that liberalism hindered the growth of individuals since it placed standards and emphasized on equality among individuals, yet each individual has the ability to grow beyond the average. He believed that liberalism emphasized on equality among members of the society, yet in the real sense not every human being has the same potential as the other. He envisioned a society where, individuals would have their own independence and

Importance of the Oregon Trail Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Importance of the Oregon Trail - Essay Example In 1846 a compromise was worked out with Britain and a treaty signed that gave the United States rights to the land south of the 49th parallel and Britain the lan north fom 49th to 54th 40'. The Whitmans were instrumental in the establishment of the Oregon Trail. Mrs. Narcissa Whitman and Mrs. Eliza Spalding demonstrated that women could make the overland journey. Dr. Marcus Whitman strongly promoted the ability of wagons to complete the journey. The Whitmans' mission at Waiilatpu provided necessary aid and supplies to the weary travelers. Narcissa and Eliza became the first white women to make the journey across the continent. Articles about this trip appeared in eastern newspapers. These two women became role models for the women and families who would eventually travel the Oregon Trail. Ironically, although the Whitmans helped to establish the Oregon Trail, they themselves were not able to bring their wagons to their mission site. Even though his initial attempt failed, Marcus never lost faith that wagons would eventually make the trip. In 1842 Marcus traveled east to speak directly with members of the American Board about decisions they had made concerning the Oregon Country missions. Marcus traveled home with the large wagon train of 1843, "The Great Migration." Under his guidance this wagon train became the first to take their wagons all the way to the Columbia River. Following in the footsteps of the fur trappers, a number of missionary families ventured into the Oregon Territory by overland routes in the 1830s for the purpose of ministering to the native tribes. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman established their mission in the Walla Walla Valley in 1836, an endeavor that eventually ended in tragedy. Early missionaries were important in providing information and assistance to later migrating families. The Oregon Trail was not a single path to the West, but a series of trails leading to the Columbia River and the Willamette Valley. The point of origination was in Missouri, frequently from Independence and sometimes from Westport and St. Joseph. The main trail pushed across present-day Kansas and Nebraska, following the North Platt River to Fort Laramie. This journey was a real test of the settlers' perseverance. Threats were posed by severe weather conditions, both extreme heat and cold; by disease with cholera a particular concern; by deprivation since supplies of both food and water were uncertain; and by other natural disasters such as landslides, flooding, and prairie fires. The most intense use of the trail was in the mid-1840s, but wagon trains continued to use this conduit for another 10 years. The coming of the railroads to the West ended the importance of the Oregon Trail as a major transportation route by wagon train. REFERENCES: Hixon, Adrietta Applegate, On to Oregon: 1973, Ye Galleon Press Lee, Daniel and Joseph H. Frost, Ten Years in Oregon: [1844, New York] 1968, Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield,