Choose three (3) of the following terms to identify and explain the historical significance in a paragraph of roughly 6-8 sentences.
1. Indian War for Independence
2. Three-Fifths Appeasement
3. Long Haitian Revolution
4. Rocky Mountain System
5. Aboveground Railroad
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Historical Significance of the Indian War for Independence, Three-Fifths Appeasement, and the Long Haitian Revolution
Introduction:
Throughout history, there have been several significant events and concepts that have shaped the world we live in today. Three such examples are the Indian War for Independence, Three-Fifths Appeasement, and the Long Haitian Revolution. These events and concepts each hold historical significance due to their impact on political, social, and economic dynamics during their respective time periods.
Indian War for Independence:
The Indian War for Independence, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence, occurred in 1857-1858 in British India. This movement was a turning point in Indian history as it marked a strong resistance against British colonial rule. The war was primarily fought by Indian soldiers in the British East India Company’s army, who revolted against oppressive policies and cultural insensitivity. The significance of this war lies in its role as a catalyst for future nationalist movements against colonial powers worldwide. It inspired other countries under colonial rule to fight for their independence, ultimately leading to the decolonization of various nations during the 20th century.
Three-Fifths Appeasement:
The concept of Three-Fifths Appeasement refers to an agreement reached during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. It determined how enslaved African Americans would be counted for representation and taxation purposes. Under this compromise, each enslaved person was considered three-fifths of a person when determining a state’s representation in Congress. This compromise was significant as it established a compromise between the Northern and Southern states, preserving unity within the newly formed nation. However, it also perpetuated the institution of slavery and demonstrated the deep-rooted racial inequalities present in early America.
Long Haitian Revolution:
The Long Haitian Revolution, spanning from 1791 to 1804, was a monumental event in world history, as it marked the first successful slave revolt that led to the establishment of an independent state governed by formerly enslaved individuals. The revolution erupted in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) and was fueled by the desire for freedom and equality among enslaved Africans and Afro-Caribbean people. The significance of this revolution lies in its transformative impact on global power dynamics. It shattered the myth of white supremacy and colonial invincibility while inspiring other movements against slavery and oppression around the world. The success of the Haitian Revolution also contributed to the spread of abolitionist ideals and indirectly influenced the broader struggle for human rights.
Conclusion:
The Indian War for Independence, Three-Fifths Appeasement, and the Long Haitian Revolution were all pivotal moments in history that shaped political, social, and economic landscapes. These events and concepts challenged existing power structures, inspired future movements for independence and equality, and contributed to the progress of human rights globally. Understanding their historical significance allows us to appreciate the struggles and sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and paved the way for a more just and inclusive world.
