Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The Case of American Involvement in the Philippines Insurrection and the French in Algeria

The Case of American Involvement in the Philippines Insurrection and the French in Algeria Introduction The French involvement in Algeria and the American involvement in the Philippines during the 19th and 20th centuries are comparable as both nations applied military warfare to quell insurgents. However, several differences between the two cases are evidence. The purpose of this paper is to develop a comparative analysis of the French military involvement in Algeria and the American military incursion in Philippines.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Case of American Involvement in the Philippines Insurrection and the French in Algeria specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Tactical strategic principles applied by the French in Algeria versus those applied by the US in the Philippines Similarities The French military involvement in Algeria during the counterinsurgency displayed a couple of similarities and differences with the tactics that the American forces used in countering the insurgency in Philippine. T aking the military tactics at the strategic and organizational levels, it is worth noting that the French in Algeria used military tactics aimed at controlling the situation. Both focused on controlling some important economic and political areas like the ports (House, 2008). They hoped to establish some ‘free fire zones’, where the insurgents would not attack, while leaving out the others areas of less economic important prone to insurgency. This is similar with what the Americans had done years before in the Philippine Islands (Boot, 2002). The Americans were interested in controlling some major islands of economic importance as well as major cities where American and European interest would be guarded. Most other areas considered of less military and economic importance were left prone to rebel attacks. Secondly, both the US and the French militaries won the war against insurgency due to their ability to mobilize and achieve international support. In addition, they w ere capable of providing their troops with adequate supplies and support, while ensuring that the insurgents had little support and resources at their disposal (Boot, 2002). In fact, both the US and the French achieved success over the rebels through cutting them off from vital resources and logistics rather than using excessive force to persuade them. In both cases, the foreign powers’ military involvements were not accepted at home, despite the government support the militaries had. For instance, in New York and Washington, a number of demonstrations took place, with the people calling the government to withdraw its forces from Manila and relinquish power to the locals (Horne, 1977).Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Similarly, the French were not happy with the incursions in Algeria, despite the government’s continued support to the military counterinsurgency ef forts. In both cases, the war took an incredible toll of lives, especially the locals rather than the opposing forces. Finally, the French and American forces in Algeria and Philippines respectively suffered guerilla-like attacks as both the Philippine rebels and the Berbers in Algeria, once they saw they could not fight the foreign powers, resolved to guerilla warfare. This is the point at which both the French and the American forces lost a good number of their troops. Differences On the other hand, the two cases differed significantly. While the American involvement in the Philippines resulted into the foreign power relinquishing power and appointing locals in major offices, the French in Algeria were determined to hold on to the rule, as it was common with the European colonialists (Boot, 2002). Secondly, the American goal to stick in the Philippines was not actually to maintain its rule there, rather it wanted to protect itself from possible attacks by Japan and her allies (Med off, 2011). On the other hand, the French were interested to maintain Algeria as a colony and increase its influence over the entire North African region. Moreover, while American forces seem to have allowed the insurgents to retain their rule over some islands, the French forces in Algeria carried out massive attacks and isolation of the insurgents, driving them into the mountains and deserts where their rule could not be viable (Medoff, 2011: House, 2008). References Boot, M. (2002). The Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power. New York: Basic Books. Horne, A. (1977). A Savage War of Peace. New York: The Viking Press.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Case of American Involvement in the Philippines Insurrection and the French in Algeria specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More House, J. M. (2008). Historical Case Study: The French in Algeria, 1954-62. New York: US Army Sergeants Major Academy. Me doff, A. (2011). COIN and HNGs: Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902). Web.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Mosquitoes - Family Culicidae

Mosquitoes - Family Culicidae Who hasnt had an encounter with a mosquito? From the backwoods to our backyards, mosquitoes seem determined to make us miserable. Besides disliking their painful bites, mosquitoes concern us as vectors of diseases, from West Nile virus to malaria. Description: Its easy to recognize a mosquito when it lands on your arm and bites you. Most people dont take a close look at this insect, tending instead to slap it the moment it bites. Members of the family Culicidae do exhibit common characteristics if you can bear to spend a moment examining them. Mosquitoes belong to the suborder Nematocera – true flies with long antennae. Mosquito antennae have 6 or more segments. The males antennae are quite plumose, providing lots of surface area for detecting female mates. Female antennae are short-haired. Mosquito wings have scales along the veins and the margins. The mouthparts – a long proboscis – allow the adult mosquito to drink nectar, and in the case of the female, blood. Classification: Kingdom - AnimaliaPhylum - ArthropodaClass – InsectaOrder – DipteraFamily - Culicidae Diet: Larvae feed on organic matter in the water, including algae, protozoans, decaying debris, and even other mosquito larvae. Adult mosquitoes of both sexes feed on nectar from flowers. Only females require a bloodmeal in order to produce eggs. The female mosquito may feed on the blood of birds, reptiles, amphibians, or mammals (including humans). Life Cycle: Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis with four stages. The female mosquito lays her eggs on the surface of fresh or standing water; some species lay eggs on damp soil prone to inundation. Larvae hatch and live in the water, most using a siphon to breathe at the surface. Within one to two weeks, the larvae pupate. Pupae cannot feed but can be active while floating on the waters surface. Adults emerge, usually in just a few days, and sit on the surface until they are dry and ready to fly. Adult females live two weeks to two months; adult males may only live a week. Special Adaptations and Defenses: Male mosquitoes use their plumose antennae to sense the species-specific buzzing of females. The mosquito produces its buzz by fluttering its wings up to 250 times per second. Females seek bloodmeal hosts by detecting carbon dioxide and octanol produced in breath and sweat. When a female mosquito senses CO2 in the air, she flies upwind until she finds the source. Mosquitoes dont require blood to live but need the proteins in a bloodmeal to develop their eggs. Range and Distribution: Mosquitoes of the family Culicidae live worldwide, except in Antarctica, but require habitat with standing or slow moving fresh water for young to develop. Sources: Diptera: Culicidae. (Accessed May 13, 2008).Family Culicidae - Mosquitoes - BugGuide.Net. (Accessed May 13, 2008).Mosquito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Accessed May 13, 2008).