Business Plan For Dazzling Brides Bridal Wear Marketing Essay

Business Plan For Dazzling Brides Bridal Wear Marketing Essay In Singapore, there are quite a number of bridal shops and boutiques that are locally owned, such as a single unit operations and new business ventures that are increasing in numbers daily. However what sets Dazzling Brides in a different way from other bridal business is that it is a bridal boutique that carries in house designer and collaborated with Swarovski to deliver classy wedding gowns to future brides at a reasonable price. There are a number of factors that influences the decisions of customers. Some of the factors that will play significant influence in customers decisions making in the wedding industry are analysed based on a couple of factors. In the wedding industry, these factors will significantly play a major role in any decision taken by brides. The wedding industry can be a competitive industry for entrepreneurs. Anyone keen in the business need not have to have a store to engage in the bridal business and can do so on a freelance basis. Ease in engaging freelances to assist in the wedding planning process is of ample quantity in the market. When it comes to wedding gowns, there are many substitutes that a bride can do to save cost such as renting their wedding gowns or even sewing it themselves. However these forces did not hinder the plan to set up Dazzling Bride as the strong passion of providing bride- to- be a lifetime experiences that is memorable has been the core reason of setting up a bridal boutique by a group of friends. Weddings are an interesting industry to be involved in as it is an event that never seems to die as the world is evolving no matter how unpredictable the economy can be. What is interesting is the way wedding gowns has evolve and most educated females are looking for wedding gowns that are exclusive and has the capability to make them look dashing. In addition to that, a positive incline in the number of marriages in Singapore has ignited our believed even more that the wedding industry will prosper and this will generate great potential profit to the business. This is one factor that we found to be a positive outlook for the bridal business as there are 24,596 registered marriages in 2008 in comparison of 26,081 in 2009 (Refer to appendix 1). 3.2 Environmental Analysis The Singapore government is actively facilitating singles in Singapore to find a life partner by providing opportunities for them to mingle. In the recent speech by DPM Wong at the Population Community of Supply 2011, comprehensive description on how the government has participated actively in encouraging Singaporeans to get socialize and examples on support available was emphasized. This is made possible through the social development network such as the Social Development Unit (SDU) and the Social Development Service (SDS) in assisting singles to find love between graduates and non graduates. The government has also provided Singaporeans with a broad-based package of support so as to encourage marriage by increasing the maternity and childcare leave, increasing the baby bonus cash gifts and co savings and also increasing childcare subsidies to parents. All these gestures shows the full support of Singapore government in promoting marriages and this is an important political and soc ial assurance for Dazzling Brides business venture as with such support the business will have the ability to acquire greater market share over the long run. Economically, Singapore has performed well in 2010 and this will lead to increment in salary resulting in more disposable income that will encourage many brides to spend more for a wedding gown that is exclusive and a wedding ceremony that will have deep impression to them and guest (refer appendix 2). The stability of Singapore economy status with the expected economy growth of 4.0 to 6.0 per cent in 2011 (refer appendix 3) has also encouraged great influx of immigrants and expatriates and this group of people will have the opportunity to be part of the exclusive customer of Dazzling Brides too. With the growth in population due to increase in trend of immigrants getting married locally (refer appendix 4), and regard Singapore as home or workplace the potential of Dazzling Brides to be involved in this group of customers wedding day will be on the high note. Aside from assessing the political, economically and social outlook, technologies used by Dazzling Brides will be top notch where the photos taken and videos recorded for indoor or outdoor shooting will deliver the best look for the brides with simple touch-ups, colour treatment and album layouts that enhances a bride beauty accompanied by a wedding gown that will complement a look of a lifetime. 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE VENTURE (1540) 4.1 Define the Business 4.1.1 Reason for entering venture / Defining Venture Bridal shop services defined for life-style needs is a growing and thriving industry yet to reach its full potential; therefore, Dazzling Brides is created with a passion for bridal services, wedding gowns and to make ones dream comes true on the most glorious day of their life. Our commitment is to provide a personalized service to help one with their wedding during this period. We strongly believe that wedding should be memorable and our  goal is to provide bridal services as comprehensive as possible to allow individuals thoroughly enjoy their special day. 4.1.2 Mission statement At Dazzling Brides, we are committed to provide superb customer  satisfaction as our number one priority. Our mission is to  provide comprehensive, professional and stress-free  bridal services at an affordable rate. Our bridal boutique with a touch of class as well as pragmatism forms the hallmark of our design. Our distinctive selection of luxurious, classic, stylish and sophisticated gowns by professional designers aims to reflect ones personality and unique  style. Our pre-wedding photography is a contemporary and natural in which most couples seek. Everyone at Dazzling Brides will remain deeply committed in bringing our brides the finest to make ones wedding a lasting memory. Location Analysis Dazzling Brides will be located at 2 Tan Quee Lan Street, Primero Place. It is located in Bugis Street and just a stone throw from major shopping centres like Iluma at Bugis, Bugis Village, Albert Complex and Parco Bugis Junction (Onezine, 2010). Other amenities include hotels, backpacker inn, restaurants, and Raffles hospital. Primero Place is highly accessible as it is strategically located near to vicinity like Bugis MRT, taxi stands and four bus stops nearby. For added convenience, over 1000 parking lots are available outside Primero Place and nearby vicinities like OG Albert, Parco Bugis Junction and Shaw Towers. It is also close to schools like Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Singapore Management University. With many shopping centers, accommodation, amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants, boutique shops, cinema and restaurants / steamboat eateries around, there will be a continuous high influx of customers (generally the younger crowd / couples). Located near Primero Pla ce, there are three bridal shops but Dazzling Brides is differentiated by concentrating on personalization Made to measure gowns and suit and a one-stop service bridal shop that caters almost everything and settle everything in house (except album printing) for a more personalized feel (Business Finder, 2011; Streetdirectory, 2011; ShowNearby, 2011) * (Refer to Appendix 5a-d for Map and more information). Formation Dazzling Brides will occupy two former offices (750 sqft @ $3600 monthly each) on level two via rental. One office will be used for indoor photoshoot and the other will be bridal showroom. As both units are well maintained with partial furnishing, minimum renovation (estimated $10,000) to meet the unique requirement of a bridal shop will be done and Most renovations will be free-standing and can moveable (Refer to Appendix 6 for pictures). Description of the unit (Real Estate Listings Singapore, 2011) Shop House with Lift Access False Ceiling, Lightings, Electric ports, Telephone ports Individual Air Conditional One Partition Room Timber Flooring Attached Washroom with Shower Facilities Attached Shelves And Show Case 4.4 Key players These key players in the bridal industry provide exclusive and unique arrangements and unique designer wear for ones wedding day. Ted Wu: For the flawless bridal gown, Ted Wu is the answer. Ted Wu is associated with dazzling bridal gowns with intricate fabric designs and elegant style with Peranakan embroidery and superior beadwork on the beautiful silk organza. Divine Couture: This bridal shop provide one of the best bridal services in and it offers an extensive range of stylist, glamorous gowns and evening wear. For its gowns, main focuses are on subtle embroiders, lush silks and elaborate bead work. Amanda Lee Weddings: With an exquisite designer wear range using lush fabrics and gorgeous color, it has transformed the bridal scene and becoming one of the best and a leading name in Singapores bridal industry. My Dream Wedding: One of the key bridal players in Singapore that provides one stop custom bridal services in wedding photography, gowns and themes. The Wedding Present: Looking after every aspect from designer gowns, suits, car decoration and floral bouquets and service, it is a one-stop bridal shop that cater to personalized needs / services in a fuss-free manner (Compare Infobase, 2009). Product and Services Dazzling Brides extensive product and services include: Bridal Gown / Evening Gown / ROM Dress / Groom Suit (jacket and pants) / Tea dress / Bridesmaid Dress Flower Bouquet / Bridal Car Decoration Make-up and Hair-Do Photography services including studio, outdoor shoot Wedding album and photo frame Portrait with canvas and frame Accessories General consultation services Dazzling Brides is pioneered by a team of talented and innovative consultants, in house designers and photographers to turn your fairytale into reality. We believe in making ones special day unforgettable. Specialize in customized made-to-measure gowns and suits lovingly made with materials specially imported from Japan, Hong Kong and parts of Europe. With simplicity and elegance as our hallmark, the design style is always strong on innovative tailoring techniques and carried hands sew embellishment. Another trademark of Dazzling brides gown is the creative use of crystals by Swaroski for the elegance and allure touch. Legal Structure Dazzling Brides is incorporated by three directors (shareholders) with passion for the bridal industry. The company is deemed as a legal entity separate from its members and directors and profits are subjected to corporate tax rates. A Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) will be formed whereby individual shareholders personal assets are protected and own liability is limited to value of the shares; members also have limited liability. In a bridal business, there are many aspects to each deal so to prevent clients from suing the directors, limited liabilities is important to safeguard personal assets. Set up costs consists of fees for company name approval @ S$15 per name and registration fees @ S$300. Official procedures to comply consist of personal assets are protected of company secretary, auditor (exempted for the first three years of business); annual returns must be filed and there are specific rule for general meeting, appointment of directors and shareholders resolutions etc. T he company will have perpetual succession unless business is closed by winding up or striking off (Spring Singapore, 2009). 5.0 SWOT ANALYSIS Dazzling Brides competitive edge is that it is located geographically in heart of the city and is accessibly convenient for patronizing by customers. It has a very spacious area that has ample space for brides family and friend. Space constraint will be eliminated with smartly arranged decor so as to create an ambience of freedom where bride can move with ease while trying their wedding gowns. Not only that, a sitting area will also be provided so as to make family members and friends feeling comfortable too as they are very much responsible in providing positive or negative feedback to customers purchasing power. Dazzling Bride will carry high end wedding gown by in house designer and each designer will be allocated a designated section in the shop space. For example if a customer is looking for designer A wedding gown, they will be able to see this entire designer options grouped in one segment. On top of that, Dazzling Brides will also collaborate with Swarovski closely so as to provide brides a glittery experience look to their expectations. These are some strong quality that Dazzling Bride possess that will ensure a smooth flow of process from meeting up with wedding consultants, selection process, fitting, photographers selection and many more. Sales staff hired by Dazzling Bride will be employed based on their experience in the retail industry and has the necessary knowledge and skills so as to ensure that customers will feel supported at all times in every detail of their wedding preparation. The key criteria required will be sale personnel that have high tolerance and patience level and are creative in their selling capability. Dazzling Brides is a new business venture and this may seem to be a slight pinch nevertheless with great determination, sincerity and passion of its consultant, in house designers, talented photographers and dedicated service staffs, Dazzling Brides will be able to deter any hiccups that might occur. It has been a trend for brides to have their wedding photos taken overseas, for example in Malaysia, Taiwan and many other counties where packages are attractively price. However Dazzling Brides is confident that with wedding gown designs that are exclusives and unique in line with great service and a holistic approach of making the bride-to-be experienced a memorable event; the thought of engaging in overseas packages will be greatly eliminated as every step will be conducted at home. This form of convenience will allow brides an opportunity to have more time to concentrate on other wedding preparation that can be massive. Marketing Plan Wendy 7.0 ORGANIZATION PLAN 7.1 Human Resource Plan As marriage is serious matter as it happens only once in a lifetime so everyone in Dazzling Bride must take customers wedding day seriously. Hence, it is of paramount importance that everyone shares the same values and fit with the companys culture. Regardless of positions, we will be very selective and, there will be a set of guideline that the candidates must fulfill during selection. On the job training will be carried out by management to help with individuals learning process and to improve them as time evolves. In this fast moving fashion lifestyle industry, it is vital to stay updated on latest desired item in the market. Thus, we will encourage all to expose to the latest MTV, magazines, bridal shows and exhibition to gain insights. There will be challenging but achievable objectives to optimize potential. While on the job, their performances will be observed and if they fail to meet standards, they will be terminated within 2-3 months. Rewards and remuneration will be tied t o performance (incentives trips and bonus) (Refer to Appendix X for detailed human resource plan). 7.2 Structure In order to be successful and to uphold the standards of top quality bridal products and services, we will cultivate a culture so that everyone is motivated and will put in 101% effort. Fostering people with strong professional skills and characteristics People with a dream (Flexible and daring to make decision), common value, and strong commitment with cohesive attitude. Fun working environment to pursue dreams, encourage innovation/creative, to grow and contribute to goals with minimal politics. Processes, systems and decisions open and transparent. Honest, ethical and socially responsible business behavior. Culture that allows opportunity for changes, growth, good communication and company that truly cares. Incentives to encourage collective success. In addition, we have a defined organization structure (Hisrich et al., 2010) that layout key personnel, roles and responsibilities to direct efforts at all levels. This helps to maintain a strong strategic fit with its mission and provide clear business direction. The organization structure help management to stay on top of happenings and ensure that there is continuous review of operation and capital budgets, exploring opportunities for growth and expansion, supporting day to day activities, ensures business objectives are made, resolving conflicts, ensure proper use of assets and develop network of information sources (Refer to Appendix X for detailed organization chart). 7.3 Equipment / Procurement Equipments to be purchased will consist of office, stock, indoor photo-shoot and showrooms equipments OFFICE SHOWROOM INDOOR SHOOT Fax / Phone Cash Register Sewing Machine Camera Calculator Signage / Banners Shelves/Racks Tripod Desk / Chairs Bags Scissors / Pins / Measuring Tape / Sewing Kits Studio strobes (lighting) + Stands Computers Chairs and Tables Stationery Backdrop and Props Copier NETS/ Credit Card Terminal Decoration Reflector Filing Cabinet Dye Set-Up Stereo Dressing table Misc. Supplies Filing Cabinet Telephones Changing Room (Portable) Forms/Contracts Telephone Installation Mirror STOCK Hangers Vacuum Cleaner / Cleaning items Racks / Hangers Bridesmaid dress samples Iron / Steamer Window Display Fixtures Evening Gown / ROM Dress / tea dress samples Mannequins Coffee Maker and Supplies Crinolines / Can Can Sofa Curtains Accessories samples Business Cards Changing Room (Portable) Jewelry Mirrors Shoes Groom suit samples Bridal gown samples Flower bouquet samples Portrait, wedding album and photo frame samples 8.0 Financial Plan TBA 9.0 EXPANSION PLAN/ EXIT PLAN 9.1 Expansion Plan At the end of the third to fourth year of operation, Dazzling Brides vision will be to expand organically by not only providing new range of beautiful exclusive wedding gowns for purchases or rent. We will consider opening up another shop that will provide extended services for a wedding industry and diverse our business model to cater to other services. We will provide brides to be with a venue to conduct their wedding ceremony with live bands packages if needed, transportation for bride and families, wedding decoration and source out gifts for guest and even catering services. Aside from that we will also extend our business by collaborate with the Indians and Malay community so as to provide the necessary wedding needs. In addition we would also participate in Singapores Bridal Bazaar Fair where the latest wedding gowns range will be showcase. 9.2 Exit Plan However if the expansion plan were to come in short or if Dazzling Brides fail to generate positive income we will decide to sell the business as a management buyout (MBO) where new group of management will still be able to continue the business in a different management style and elevate the business further. 10.0 Milestone (Summary) TBA Appendix 5a: Map of Bugis Street and Primero Place (Extracted from Streetdirectory, 2011) Appendix 5b: Primero Place (Extracted from Streetdirectory, 2011) Appendix 5c: Analysis of Primero Place General and Accessibility (extracted from ShowNearby, 2011) Appendix 5d: Analysis of Primero Place Parking and Transportation (extracted from ShowNearby, 2011) Appendix 6: Pictures of the offices (Real Estate Listings Singapore, 2011) Job Specification for Bridal Designers, Photographer, Coordinators, Seamstress and Make Up Artist (Stone, 2005): JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Bridal Designers x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Experience: To advise clients on the design of the gown. Design and develop bridal gowns and suits in accordance to the needs of customers. Source merchandise / materials and liaise with suppliers. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Qualifications: Diploma or Degree in Fashion Design/ Fashion Marketing/ Fashion related. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge: Minimum 2 years experience. Well versed in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Has good fashion sense, market foresight and capable to conduct material sourcing. Personal Qualities: Pleasant personality and meticulous in work attitude. Passion for bridal fashion, creative thinking, and a team player. Able to handle stress and customer oriented. Excellent English / Mandarin communication skills. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 2000 to 2300 with attractive benefits. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Photographer Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Experience: 1 to 2 years  in bridal and lifestyle photography. The right candidate will need to have highlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨developed creative skills both with the camera and in Photoshop. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian preferred. Skills, Abilities, Knowledge and Personal Qualities: We require somebody who is a good in communication; works well with people and is able to meet deadlines with quality work. Studio and outdoor lighting and knowledge are needed. Fluent English and Mandarin with high levels of social energy is a must, as there will be high demands for clients interaction and teamwork. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays) and keen to travel. Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1500 to 2000 with attractive benefits and travel allowance. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Coordinator x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Experience: Attending to customers and establish good rapport with clients. Co-ordinate appointments and follow up between internal departments and customers. Perform daily administrative duties (ordering inventories, coordinating with printers, florists etc) to meet the needs of the operations. Other ad-hoc duties when required. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Qualifications: Diploma  holders with 1 to 2 years  of sales co-coordinating administrative experiences. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge: Well versed in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and Microsoft office. Able to communicate with customers independently and able to handle artwork. Personal Qualities: Pleasant personality and meticulous in work attitude. Good organizational competence with excellent follow-up skills. Presentable, pleasant personality and Service-oriented in achieving customer satisfactions. Excellent English / Mandarin communication skills. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1800 to 2100 with attractive benefits. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Seamstress x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Skills, Abilities, Knowledge and Experience: 1 to 2 years  experience in sewing / measurements (textile). Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Personal Qualities: Willing to learn and can communicate with basic English and Mandarin. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1300 to 1500 with attractive benefits. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Make-up Artist x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Skills, Abilities, Knowledge and Experience: 1-2 years strong experience in MakeUp Artistry. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Qualifications: Professional Makeup Certification. Personal Qualities: Willing to learn and can communicate with basic English and Mandarin. Willing to travel and good interpersonal skills. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1800 to 2000 with attractive benefits and travel allowance. Organization Chart Outsource Audit Committee and Secretary Managing Director (Plans / Analysis and Management) (Photographer) Associate Director (Financial Matters) (Designer) Associate Director (Human Resource and Administration) (Make-up Artistry / Consultant) Bridal Designers x 2 Gown design and material sourcing Photographer Indoor, outdoor shoot and artwork Make-up Artist x 2 Indoor, outdoor shoot and actual day Make-up Seamstress x 2 Sewing, Alteration and Measurement Coordinator x 2 Serving customer, coordination of operation

Miami is a Commuter’s Nightmare :: Traffic

Miami: A Commuter’s Nightmare Several surveys have shown the city of Miami to be one of the least preferable cities in which to drive. Every morning there is an exodus of Biblical proportions, as thousands or cars tightly pack into highways six lanes wide. More discouraging about driving in Miami is the mind-numbingly slow pace with which traffic moves. Moreover, bumper-to-bumper traffic causes many minimal damage accidents that ironically have larger, more negative, effects on traffic congestion than they actually should. Other factors such as construction and aggressive drivers create more hazardous conditions for commuters. The roads and highways of Miami are a world of danger that creates the unpleasant experience it is to drive in Miami. The most noticeable inconvenience of driving in Miami is traffic congestion. In fact, because the highways are cluttered with a significant amount of vehicles carpooling is encouraged. For this purpose, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes were formed. Each weekday, a simple twenty-minute drive turns into an eternal wait for forward progress. With each minute that goes by cars advance less than twenty feet. And while the traffic may open up in some areas, in its entirety I-95 remains congested during the morning and evening hours, as seen in the image where cars on the South Florida Highways line up bumper-to-bumper. The cause for such highway clutter varies, but it is interesting to note the difficulty in explaining highway driving conditions. It is uncertain as to whether the accidents cause traffic congestion or the traffic congestion causes accidents. Either way, the main roads and highways commuters take to work are crowded with drivers. Furthermore, I-95 passes through several c ommercial districts in the lower Miami area. Many large trucks and commercial vehicles, as well as passenger vehicles, drive to work at these commercial areas. The weekday traffic congestions on the Miami roadways are, in large part, a major inconvenience to commuters, all with intent to arrive early to work. Car accidents pose as the second most noticeable inconvenience for commuters in Miami. In many occasions traffic accidents cause a hold-up of traffic. Take for example, the oil taker explosion on I-95 on November 6, 2006. A massive tanker truck, carrying loads of fuel, flipped over the highway over pass and onto NW 135 Street, a street that runs through one of the busiest commercial areas. The accident occurred on a Monday morning, while the rest of Miami was commuting to work.

Civil War and Reconstruction Essay

Born September 28, 1941 in Eunice, Louisiana James L. Roark is a Stanford educated historian who has written countless texts on American History and the impact of the American Civil War, to include The American Promise: A History of the United States (2008), No Chariot Let Down: Charleston’s Free People on the Eve of the Civil War (2001) and Black Masters: A Free Family of Color in the Old South (1986). He is a currently a Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of American History at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and working on a documentary on the Confederate States of America . Though I may not have expected it to be so, this award winning literary piece was actually quite thought provoking and well-written in a way that reaches far beyond similar works of its time. Roark eloquently presents a well thought out and well written series of arguments organized in subsections relying dominantly on the use of primary sources, along the lines of diary entries and personal letters, to display the thoughts and examine the philosophy of Southern planters. He presents the well-researched examination of the impact of Reconstruction and all of its components from secession to emancipation. Though their thoughts and understandings, their ideologies ma have been centralized and immensely focused on the idea f the plantation, the way in which Roark presents their thoughts and opinions allows the reader to open their minds about the process of Reconstruction in a way that allows them to think freely about the institution of slavery in a different way. In the days of its practicing the institution of slavery was presented and lived in tune vision, it was a way of life that was so widespread that there was no way to see around it and thus no one ever ventured to look. It was a system of hatred and oppression, yes, but it was above all a way of life, making it difficult for many to have imagined life in any other way, thus making southern planters quite nervous to have their system of living threatened by Union efforts at Reconstruction. The planters, slave masters shared a sense of unity amongst a class of people whom they believed to be untouchable because for them, their lives as slave masters was all that there was to their identities and without it, how would they continue to exist. How would they be able to go on having had their way of life threatened and attacked. I enjoyed the way that Roark broke down the process of Reconstruction for the reader in a way that allowed them to more fluidly follow the path secession. He sets forth three periods in his analysis and presentation: the planters decision to secede, the effects of the Civil War on the planter’s way of life-on their plantations, and the period of adjustment required to cope with a new world and a reformed system, thrust upon them by emancipation. Not altogether sadly, the southern planters had made the mistake of forming the thought and eventually believing that the American government was put in place to support and protect them, to prevent such happenings as emancipation. When they realized that this was in no way true is when they began to recognize, but not at all accept defeat. Over time some were able to cope and others were not, ultimately relocating to an area that better suited their understanding of the world. The saddest of truths revealed by Roark in this work is the actual mental processes of the slave owners. They honestly felt that slavery was the best way to go and that there could or should be nothing else but slavery. There was no evidence of guilt on the part of these individuals, no conscious thought or understanding of the hatred and innate inhumane treatment that was eroding the intended and to that point completely false American system of democracy. All that mattered to these people was the fact that this was and had always been the way that they had lived their lives and that way of life was being threatened by outsiders whom they felt simply could or did not understand the way their system of living worked. These people were fully committed to their lifestyle at all costs and on every level. The institution of slavery was for many all that they knew making it impossible for them to conceive of anything else. They did not feel that they lived in a land that would take the essence of their existence, the ownership of other human beings, away from them and had absolutely no understanding of how others lived outside the institution of slavery because for them slavery was all there was and all that there could ever be. It was the base upon which their entire life, their reason for being, was founded. Nothing else could be conceived because nothing else existed, they couldn’t’ even understand poverty and how poor whites were able to function economically forced to live outside f the institution of slavery. Roark presents a type of homeland versus homestead view of the American lifestyle and way of functioning. From reading this work one can deduce that all Americans were either on one of two sides – they either erred on the side of the Union and sought unity for their nation as a whole or they erred on the side of the Confederacy and sought the maintenance of their current living situation. Either you were willing to turn away from the life that you had always known for sake of nationwide unity or you were dead focused on maintaining the life you had always known and did not feel should be interrupted. Some may find fault in this homeland versus homestead view but what must be understood is that these were peoples lives they may have been living immorally, this I do not deny, but these were their lives nonetheless and the reader must therefore attempt to understand the rationale behind the division of understanding that is relayed to them within the pages of this work. There may be aspects of your life with which others ay find great fault, but it is your life nonetheless and your story thus bears interest in being told. I do not in any way agree with the institution of slavery but I do understand that prior to reading this work a great deal of the literature that I have read about the institution of slavery over the years has come from the standpoint of the enslaved not portraying the ideas or thoughts of those who relied on that enslavement. I am never one to make excuses especially for improper behavior, hatred and moral relativism, but I am one who prefers to have both sides of every story, no matter how ignorant the one side may be. With this having been said it is clear that although I do not approve of the southern planters views or understandings of the way that the world works, I was able to appreciate the manner in which those understandings were portrayed to the reader by the author of this work. In his use of extensive quotes and personal accounts Roark adds a great deal of in depth analysis of the southern planters’ thoughts and position to the reader for review. In my opinion this puts literature at its finest to honestly present the material and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions and form their own ideas of the material. It is my belief that the reasoning for the slaveholders story never having been told is that there is in literature as in every other aspect of culture a division between the minority and majority standpoint as viewed by the public and unfortunately it is not all too often that the minority standpoint is presented to the authors’ readership. Slave owners were greatly outnumbered by the slaves that they took ownership over; they were able to control these people with the numbers of individuals involved being greatly imbalanced. I, again, do not condone such acts or behaviors, but that fact that thousands of slave owners could take captive and keep hundreds of thousands of people enslaved bears note. They should ever had owned other human beings but it is important to find out why they owned other human beings; what was their thought behind the ownership and forced labor of another man. There were instances throughout history were men were enslaved for payment of debt or loss of battle, but the American institution of slavery was not one of those such instances. This was the forced capture of innocent peoples and the enslavement of those people for the acquiring of free labor. Thus it bears note to question and present what could have possibly lain on the minds of such individuals that would perform these immoral acts. These people viewed slavery as necessary for the furthering of the American agricultural agenda. No place else could you acquire labor for free and they felt that enslaved labor was not necessarily the only kind but it was the best that no money could buy. They honestly didn’t’ feel that they should have had to pay for the labor put to use by force on their lands, they probably figured that they had paid enough having purchased the slaves in the first place. What bears great note is the understanding of these planters’ views of the world – they honestly did not see anything morally wrong or corrupt with what they were doing. They looked upon the ownership of human beings as business as usual. It was nothing out of the ordinary because it was how they had always lived their lives. This is why they had such difficulty imaging and accepting the idea of emancipation even in the partial state in which it was enacted, because to them there was no other way but slavery to bring out all the work that America needed done. Emancipation, they felt was thrust upon them, and it challenged not only everything that they knew, but all that they believed could be possible. They lived their lives based on an innate thought of African Americans as inferior beings and thus could not on any level imagine the states of America (because they were not yet united) putting these inferior beings in a position of liberation, the removal of legal and physical restraint, and giving them any of the rights these slave owners believed were set aside for whites only. For these southern planters the very thought of this was inconceivable. Roark presented the battle over emancipation as the revolutionary transformation and struggle that it was intended to be, unable at the time to present the shortcomings that would result from the somewhat failed attempt at liberation of the African American people. There is no presentation of the actual outcome of emancipation because that is not what this work is about. The focus of this work was to underline the deep-seated issues that southern planters had with the very idea of slavery being abolished, it’s not about how they would later and not long after form a new system of oppression that would keep African Americans enslaved for decades following the intended emancipation. Yes, the slave owners would emerge victorious over the attempt at destroying their way of living because of the fact that the American government failed to redistribute lands to freed peoples, ensuring that the class of planters would still have all of their power because they still ha all of the land. It was not as if the Africans brought to this country and enslaved could now return home, but although this is a very great point, it was not the purpose of this work, and as such this piece should appreciated for the task that Roark set out to accomplish having been just that, accomplished. Prior to Masters Without Slaves: Southern Planters in the Civil War and Reconstruction there was no study exclusively dedicated to the exploration of slave owners’ view of the world in the days leading up to and surrounding American Reconstruction. There was no one to offer us a glimpse into the social and moral values (or lack thereof) of the class of slave owners present in America at that time which is undoubtedly and without question one of the most critical moments in our nation’s history. Roark presents the attitudes of the slave owners at the very thought of emancipation and the difficulties that they endured in attempting to adjust to and make a comeback from the acts implemented as a division of Reconstruction. These slave owners were pointed out and told explicitly that their way of life was absolutely wrong and not just that it had to be changed but that it was going to be changed in the very near future whether they liked it or not. This work chronicles their reaction to that knowledge and their planning of a comeback for what they initially perceived as a defeat but later found to be a bright new opportunity. The institution of sharecropping was not altogether the same as the institution of American slavery, but it was not a far cry from the same oppression that slaves had experienced for years. Roark must be commended for his obvious talent for portraying the truths that not many would desire to recognize and for doing so in such an eloquent manner. He has taken the thoughts of slave owners at the time of American Reconstruction and put it in the face of the reader for consideration of the slave owners’ thoughts on emancipation and their return from defeat of their lifestyle. The unfortunate truth is that all positives have a negative and along those lines just as there was so much that I enjoyed and appreciated about this work there were also aspects of this piece which I found either fell short or remained unsettled. The greatest issue that I believe may be found in this work as far as I am concerned is that Roark created only one group of planters. There was no distinction presented between ideologies or ideals, he in many ways formed a race, a collective and representative sample consisting all al southern planters. There was no distinction made in the possibility that maybe planters had different ideals coming from different areas of the country. I can understand is view of this matter because for e and clearly for Roark tyranny is tyranny and there can be only two cases of oppression- the oppressor and the oppressed, but from a literary standpoint I do believe that a greater distinction could have been made between the classes of planters and that it would have added a lot to the work. There were also some points in the work that were touched on very lightly in comparison to how the themes and ideas could have been developed thus taken some of the effect way from the work itself. Thing like the beginning of the work when Roark speaks about secession, I believe that portion of the work could have been more well developed and if it had been would have likely added a great deal of affect to the already substantial quality of the work. Roark adds exquisite detail to most other portions of the work so to have lightly grazed upon the subject of secession makes the work, in many ways, appear unfinished and imbalanced. You cannot ask for everything, for every element of a literary work to be present and in perfect condition, but I do feel that this could have added a lot to the aesthetics of the piece. Yet even lacking in these two somewhat vital elements the book still does not lose its focus in exposing the reader to the thoughts of slave owners in the days leading up to Reconstruction. In this fashion, Roark did much to accomplish all that he set out to do. He presented the reader with an unbiased account of southern planter ideologies as based on their own words and thoughts of how they viewed their lives. The author does not add anything to their views or take anything away that could jeopardize the quality of his work. The book was written professionally in the manner expected of Stanford graduate and life-long historian with Roark being careful not to allow his personal views or ideas concerning the institution of American slavery to cloud his presentation of the evidence, leaving the ultimate decision whether or not to judge completely up to the reader. Roark’s distant relation of the materials sets him apart from other historians by making the presentation of the content more interesting and easy to follow. All-in-all a quality experience and fine read. I would recommend this work to others. Bibliography Roark, James L. â€Å"James L. Roark Department of History Faculty Webpage†. Emory University Department of History. Retrieved: 20 April 2009

The Puritan Views Of Puritans - 860 Words

The Puritans led their lives according to a strict moral code, centered around religion, which they had followed and conformed to. In addition conformity, Puritans believed, was crucial to uniting the community, and therefore resulted in anti-individualistic beliefs. However, when they deviated from the religious code they were threatened with banishment from the community and often experienced public shaming. Also the Puritans, whom had come to the colonies seeking religious freedom for themselves, cultivated a society that was intolerant of the practice of religious freedom for others. The Puritan influence enabled conformist tendencies based around a religious moral code which did not tolerate for deviation of Puritan beliefs that ultimately sacrificed individualism. The banishment of Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams, due to beliefs that differed from the Puritan’s, exemplified the intolerance of individualism as accounted for in The Journal of John Winthrop. Roger Williams had been â€Å"condemned† (Winthrop 106) by â€Å"the most judicious ministers† (106) who ordered that Williams should be â€Å"convented at the next court to be censured† (106). Ordering Williams to be censured demonstrated the Puritan leaders demand of conformity, as the leaders censured him for his presumption that did not follow their anti-individualistic views. In fact, Williams had â€Å"drawn above 20 persons to his opinion,† (Winthrop 107) conveying others had similar opinions, that allowed forShow MoreRelatedPuritans View Of The Puritan Society1154 Words   |  5 PagesPuritans were a society of people that saw themselves as perfect. As John Winthrop said, â€Å"We must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of the people are upon us† (Roark, 77). He meant that they should be an example for the rest of the world and demonstrate what Sainthood really looks like. Puritans believed that their fate was predestine d and only a small minority of people would receive eternal life (Roark 79). Puritans often had small squabbles among themselves because theyRead MorePuritans And The New World Essay1566 Words   |  7 PagesOver the years, people broadcast the Puritans as a group of people who were extremely legalistic and against anything that would be considered fun in the modern world. This incorrect broadcast of the Puritans has led to many misconceptions about how they lived when they came to the New World and settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritans were not legalistic, but rather sought to please God by creating a society that focused on fulfilling their calling through the institutions of familyRead MoreEssay Differring Religions In Todays1239 Words   |  5 Pages Differring Religions Each religious group possesses its’ own individual world- view. 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