Battle of Waterloo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Battle of Waterloo - Essay Example France has found a charismatic and ambitious leader in the person of Napoleon Bonaparte. His string of victories in the battlefields of Europe all the more contributed to his steady rise and prominence among the French people. Consequently, France's rise to power brought unease among other European nations. Assured of his prominent status and support among the people, Napoleon launched a coup in 1799 that overthrew the Bourbon king and established himself as ruler and First Consul. Later on, he would declare himself emperor for life ("The Battle of Waterloo"). Napoleon had wanted to make France the most powerful country in Europe and to achieve this; he waged a campaign of annexation and colonization of lands which resulted in many victories for his army. The wars were later called the Napoleonic Wars. A coalition of major powers in Europe, notably the Great Britain, Russia, Prussia and Austria mobilized an army to meet the threat posed by Napoleon's army. After a series of wars, the Allied army finally defeated Napoleon in 1814 thereby effectively checking his ambition of establishing France as the dominant power in Europe. Napoleon was subsequently deposed and exiled to the island of Elba along with some 600 of his loyal guards in accordance with the Treaty of Fontainbleau. The bourbon king, Louis XVIII was made ruler of France by the victorious European powers ("Battle of Waterloo"). The Congress of Vienna was convened by the nations of Europe that defeated Napoleon to discuss the problems that arose after the fall of France. The Congress also wanted to re-establish the territorial balance in Europe wherein the future and status of the nations conquered and annexed by Napoleon's campaign in Europe were to be discussed. The unpopularity and ineptness of Louis XVIII resulting in economic and social unrest left many veterans who fought with Napoleon and many citizens as well clamoring for change. The men who had fought alongside Napoleon remained a potent force and many felt that their past efforts were wasted because of the government's corruption and insensitiveness to the needs of the people. Many were hoping that their deposed emperor would return and liberate them. Napoleon, believing that many in France would allow his return while others would not dare oppose it, decided to risk a return and put forth plans to establish himself again as the ruler of France ("Waterloo"). On Feb. 26, 1815, Napoleon together with less than a thousand of his men, left Elba and landed on an unpopulated beach near Antibes. Napoleon is determined to return to Paris and early on the next day, he marched toward Grenoble with his men. Soldiers who were stationed in outposts outside Paris initially barred his advance but after offering the guards to shoot him because he has no intention of turning back, instead joined him. Everywhere Napoleon marched, veteran soldiers and those soldiers serving the government joined his ranks. At Auxerre, Marshal Ney, Napoleon's old comrade whom he once called the "bravest of the brave," was overwhelmed by the presence of his former emperor. He embraced him and turned over to Napoleon the command of his 6,000 troops. Because of

Citigroup Crisis Management and Continuity Plan Essay

Citigroup Crisis Management and Continuity Plan - Essay Example The economic crisis in the recent years had a significant impact over the nation thus impacting the businesses of the Citigroup as well. The current research focuses on the responses of the organizational group to the economic crisis and to learn the concepts and use of business management continuity plans in the process. Citigroup and the Global Economic Recession: The global economic recession that hit the United States in the late 2008 and thereafter the entire world affected the nation’s gross domestic product, led to unemployment, decrease in purchases, and decline in investments (U.S. Economic Downturn Worsened at End of 2008, 2009). Root Cause of the Recession leading Citigroup to a Crisis Situation: With the enhancement of the economic slowdown in the United States, the Citigroup started getting affected and was encountered with the crisis of recession. One of the major crises that led to the crisis in the Citigroup was the decline in the demand level among the custome rs. When a financial slowdown was prevailing in the United States, people tended to invest less and save their funds. When the nation was encountered with the decline in the economic growth, customers feared the failure or lack of performance of the different companies that included Citigroup as well. With scarcity in the availability of funds in the economy of the country customers started saving and stopped investing or lending to the company that ultimately led to a crisis for the company (Beek, 2010; Cochrane, 2010, p. 34). Thus the two primary reasons that could be reflected as the root causes for the crisis in the Citigroup are the economic slowdown in the United States followed by the change in the customer outlook and behavior towards fearing the failure of companies to overcome the global crisis, leading to huge declines in the levels of demand. Citigroup before the Crisis: Before the global recession had hit the United States, Citigroup had been successfully performing its activities. Several innovative strategies have been encouraged within the group. Also, with greater expansion plans the company created several job opportunities (Our commitment is our promise, 2006). The year 2007, which was before the economic crisis, the company reflected positive results with respect to its international consumer related performances, wealth management at an international level, as well as operations of services in its different business divisions. However, the results for the banking and marketing segments of the group were not satisfactory. Too much of lending and written down values might have led to such a condition for the group. The revenue generation was thus affected although the customer growth was increasing. The volume of products and the operating expenses of the group also started rising from the previous years. Credit costs for the financial sector of the group also increased (Citigroup’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, 2007). Citigroup du ring the Crisis: During the global economic slowdown, the Citigroup suffered huge losses that primarily occurred as a result of increasing costs of credits and the intensifying economic recession. Inflation and increasing levels of unemployment, that were resultant from the global econom