International Law - tax system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

International Law - tax system - Essay Example The meaning of tax can be actually described as the money, which is charged by the government for Public Sector Borrowing Requirement (PSBR) (Public Acts 1994). When we interpret the definition, we may find out the reason why countries charge tax. The governments levy tax upon its citizens because they want money to regulate it in the whole country. It as actually meant for the betterment of the country and the nation itself. Governments may built roads, built a better infrastructure, improved public organization services, improve the level of education, building schools to remote areas, proving better and free health care, etc. Government may charge the tax to invest back to the country in turn. Where as international law refers to the general rules and regulations practiced in most part of the world (Mifflin 2007). It is the law which is followed by all the countries worldwide and so it is called international. There are certain rules and procedures which are followed in every country of the world. These practices are important to carry out in the country, as they enable governments to work and perform better and in organized way. Those laws are called international, as they are practiced in every country and are accepted as well. ... but the thing which binds then together is the law which they practice in the country, only that is common in them and it keeps the countries linked together. This essay will include all the necessary and valid information about the international laws regarding the taxation issues. As far as the case study is concerned, I will try to ensure the reader abut the authentication of the information and will make sure that my answer shall convince the reader as well. The essay will proof to be the perfect guide for the three friends for their decision about the avoiding tax and the OECD proposal about the business. As described in the case study, that the friends do not want to pay taxes and their nature of business is to contribute to the tertiary sector of the country. It is yet no specified that whether the owners plan is to provide services to the country only or to the rest of the world as well. The type of job which these friends are going to do can be practiced in a country as well as outside the country, ignoring boundaries. It is because of the reason that, the friends will have headquartered at one place and will precede the business from there only. That means headquarter; will exist in one place, yet their operation in different part of the world at the same time. This is what most of the translational companies do, ignoring the boundaries. But trans-national businesses do not try to void tax and in this case, the partners are trying to ignore the tax as well. Now, it is very essential to understand the two types of taxes, direct and indirect. Before I shall proceed, I may make it clear that the direct taxes are unavoidable. This means, the direct taxes cannot be ignored and we have to pay them even if do not want to. These taxes are the

A bill of rights is essential to protect citizens from their Essay

A bill of rights is essential to protect citizens from their government. Discuss - Essay Example Recent developments in the Philippines have put this Southeast Asian country in the news and have garnered the attention of the international community once more. This involves the spate of killings of activists and journalists by unknown elements alleged to be connected with the military. (Amnesty International, 2005, p. 202) According to the non-government organization KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights) (2006), there have been 607 documented killings from January 2001 to May 30, 2006. Amnesty International, the European Union and the Catholic Church have each spoken out against the government to condemn these acts of politically-motivated state-sponsored executions. This paper will examine whether or not a bill of rights, standing alone, is enough to protect the people from the excesses of government and it will use the current Philippine problem of extra-judicial killings as background. It will argue that the defense of sovereignty -- and, as a corollary to that, internal security -- is not enough to justify the use of state-sponsored repression. The phenomenon of state-sponsored oppression is by no means unique to the Philippines. It has in fact been extensively researched and discussed all over the world. Says Mitchell and McCormick (1988, p. 476) Governments organize police forces and armies to protect their citizens, build schools and hospitals to educate and care for them, and provide financial assistance for the old and unemployed. But governments also kill, torture and imprison their citizens. This dark side of government knows no geographic, economic, ideological or political boundary. Such killings and torture demonstrate grave violations of political rights and liberties. It has been opined that political rights and liberties are of paramount importance because of their impact on other rights, such as social and economic rights (Bollen, 1986, p. 567). The universal condemnation of

Business Models and Systems Essay Example for Free

Business Models and Systems Essay The business that I am choosing to write about is a small convenience store located across the street from my children’s school. It is owned and operated by a very pleasant Indian couple. It is located in a remote area where there are very few businesses in close proximity. This store offers a variety of products and prepared foods. The three main components of the business system that comprises this particular business are as follows: Business as Commerce – They give money in exchange for the products they need to fill their store. In this case, the owners will look for sales at other stores, and then purchase them to sell in their store. They are making a profit from their trade because it is increasing their utility. Business as an Occupation – In order for them to increase their profit they would need to specialize in food service and preparation, customer service, and modern technologies. In other words, they had to learn how to make and present the foods that they offer, they had to learn how to communicate appropriately with their customers, and learn how to gain access to and operate new machines to make a greater profit. Business as an Organization – For the time being, this particular business is owned and operated by just two people. If sometime in the future they would decide to combine their talents and resources with other people, they will be able to pursue new opportunities and reduce transaction costs and increase their profitability.

Infection Control Is A Contentious Issue In Modern Healthcare Nursing Essay

Infection Control Is A Contentious Issue In Modern Healthcare Nursing Essay The aim of this essay is to discuss the importance of infection control. The essay will begin by looking at the prevalence of infection. This will be followed by a discussion of the infection control measures in place to break the chain of infection whilst evaluating the problems of implementing the various techniques in practice. Reference will be made to wide range of literature which will support arguments and demonstrate evidence-based practice. The essay will then conclude and offer recommendation for future practice. With the outbreak of antibiotic resistant infections, infection control is becoming a major concern for health organisations all over the world (Department of Health (DH), 2003). Generally between 4 and 10 % of patients hospitalized in a more economically developed country, such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA) or Australia, develop a hospital associated infection during their time in hospital (DH, 2003). Currently, the DH (2003) estimates that one in ten NHS patients will contract a healthcare association infection whilst staying in an NHS hospital thus giving the UK one of the highest rates of healthcare associated infections in the western world. As well as significantly raising healthcare costs and lengthening hospital stays, it is estimated that hospital associated infections cause 25,000 patient deaths every year (Borton and McCleave, 2000). Although these facts and figures may seem daunting, the situation can be improved by implementing a number o f simple measures to break the chain of infection and prevent hospital associated infections occurring. Huband and Trigg (2000) explain that for a nosocomial (healthcare associated) infection (HAI) to occur there must be a susceptible host, an infectious agent and a means of transmission from the source of the infectious agent to the susceptible host. If any of these components are not present the chain of infection is broken and an infection cannot occur (Mallik et al, 1997). The susceptible host is perhaps the hardest part of the chain to control since patients are generally admitted to hospital as a result of an illness or injury which often leaves them more vulnerable to infection. As well as patients who are immunologically compromised because of illness or injury, there are also patients who are more vulnerable just because of their circumstances. The elderly and the very young (children of a gestational age of less than 32 weeks) are at a high risk because their immune system is not yet fully developed (Huband and Trigg, 2000) and patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment, or who have an immunosuppressive illness such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), may struggle to fight off infections (Hockenberry et al, 2003). Although this means that there will almost always be a susceptible host present, there is still a lot healthcare professionals can do to protect vulnerable patients. Measures are in place to assess each patient individually to uncover their needs and equip nurses with the correct information to produce a protective care plan. One of the areas in contention, especially in the media is the hygiene practices in hospital and by staff and how they contribute to the problem of HAIs (REF). Nurses actions account for roughly 80 percent of the direct care patients receive and usually involves personal and intimate care activities (REF). As such, the chance of infecting a patient with an avoidable HAI is as high as ten percent and some of the infections will be caused by microbes present on the hands of those providing care (REF). Evidence from a review conducted by Pratt et al (2000) concludes that in outbreak situations contaminated hands are responsible for transmitting infections. This is supported by evidence presented in NICE (2003) infection control guideline. The act of hand hygiene however, is simple but effective against the possibility of cross-contamination between patient-patient or indeed from nurse to patient and vice versa. In a non-randomised controlled trial (NRCT) a hand washing programme was introduced and in the post intervention period respiratory illness fell by 45% (Ryan et al, 2001) A further NRCT, introducing the use of alcohol hand gel to a long term elderly care facility, demonstrated a reduction of 30% in HAI over a period of 34 months when compared to the control unit (Fendler et al, 2002). One descriptive study demonstrated the risk of cross infection resulting from inadequate hand decontamination in patients homes (Gould et al, 2000). Despite these findings and hand hygiene being a simple procedure and the rates of compliance should be high; the evidence points to the contrary (REF). A study conducted by Jenkins (2004) found that even when staff did perform hand hygiene 89% missed some part of their hands.   In a nother study Parini (2004) reported that work pressure reduce opportunities for effectively hand hygiene in between procedures or patient handing. Expert opinion however, is consistent in its assertion that effective hand decontamination which refers to the process for the physical removal of blood, body fluids, and transient microorganisms from the hands, i.e., handwashing, and/or the destruction of microorganisms, i.e., hand antisepsis (Boyce and Pittet, 2002), results in significant reductions in the carriage of potential pathogens on the hands and logically decreases the incidence of preventable HAI leading to a reduction in patient morbidity and mortality (Boyce Pittet, 2002; Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA), 2002). Therefore, as an infection control measure hands should be washed before and after each patient contact and before every episode of care that involves direct contact with patients skin, their food, invasive devices, following removal of gloves or dressings (iCNA, 2002; NICE, 2003; Jamieson et al, 2002). This may be a full hand wash, using liquid antibacterial soap and water or alcohol rubs (Nicol et al, 2003). A full hand wash should be carried out before placing gloves on the hands; when the hands are visibly soiled; after contact with contaminated materials, e.g. linen; when performing an aseptic technique; before handling food; after using the toilet and before leaving the ward (Parker, 2002). The NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2003) and NICE (2003) contend for hand washing, to be reliable, it should take about 20 seconds and should follow the standardised hand washing techniques. Both surfaces of the hands should be washed thoroughly, taking particular care of areas that are usually missed, for example, nail beds, back of thumbs and in-between fingers. The hands should be wetted first, the soap applied and used to wash the hands, then with the hands bring rinsed in clean water and thoroughly dried with disposable paper towels (Stewart, 2002). Hot air dryers or re-usable towels should not be used in the clinical setting as studies have shown the increased contamination after drying, or with the hand dryers, the lack of drying (Parker, 2002). The taps should be turned off with elbow or wrist or in the case of normal taps, a paper towel (Clark, 2004). Part of modern day hand hygiene procedures now include alcohol rubs which are in widespread use as they are easily used and are effective in destroying the transient microbes found on the hands. They are usually used between hand washes and require no water or paper towels as the alcohol evaporates very quickly. Myers Parini (2003) explains most contain an emollient to ensure that constant use of the alcohol does not cause skin problems. Alcohol gel rubs however, are not a substitute for hand washing as they are ineffective if used on hands contaminated with body fluids or excreta (Nicol et al, 2003). It also has been shown that without washing the hands regularly when using alcohol rubs causes a build-up of emollient on the hands, which means that the alcohol becomes less effective at killing the transient bacteria (Girou et al, 2002). Kampf and Loffler (2003) showed the use of antimicrobial soap and water along with an alcohol gel sanitizer was the most effective at reducing the n umber of transient microbes, over 99.99 percent, compared with just fewer than 99.0 percent for antimicrobial soap and water alone, and 99.46 percent for just alcohol gel sanitizer. This highlights the fact that the use of only alcohol gel or hand washing alone still leaves a risk of contamination, albeit a negligible one. As part of any infection control measure NICE (2003) recommendations the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare personnel in primary and community care settings which includes the use of aprons, gowns, gloves, eye protection and facemasks. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Health and Safety Executive, 2002), all healthcare professionals caring for patients are required to make proper use of PPE provided. Correct use of PPE is a key measure in preventing the spread of infection. ICNA (2002) states disposable aprons and gloves reduce the number of micro-organisms on uniforms, clothing and hands, but do not eliminate them. Gould (2010) contends that disposable gloves and aprons should be worn for all contacts with patients with MRSA, but this according to Bissett (2007) is not an excuse for ineffective washing of hands, as hands should be washed even when gloves have been worn. Gloves cannot be guaranteed 100% impervious (Clark et al 2002 ). Gloves sometimes leak or may tear, especially with prolonged use, and the hands may become contaminated as they are removed (DH 2008). In addition, safe removal of aprons is very important: Aprons must be removed by breaking the ties and rolling the apron inwards to prevent scattering of skin flakes and organisms. Infection control also relates to the clinical environment. Studies have confirmed that large numbers of bacteria are present in the surrounding environment and that symptomatic carriers contribute to the spread of infection (Mutters et al 2009). The isolation of patients with suspected or confirmed infections such as particularly meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) in a side room is strongly recommended (DH, 2007; Health Protection Agency (HPA), 2009). Masterton et al (2003) in a joint UK working group reviewing hospital isolation facilities recognised that although isolation may be requested regularly, it is not always possible. Similarly in a prospective study conducted in a large UK hospital over 12 months, approximately one in five requests for patient isolation was not met for a number of reasons, including lack of facilities (Wigglesworth and Wilcox 2006). Hence where isolation facilities are not available, patients should be cohorted (DH and HPA 2009). Isolating patients conversely has some element of psychological risks, for example anxiety, depression and feeling of loss of choice (Gammon 1998) and is something that the nursing staffs need to be aware of and assess regularly. Specific local infection control guidelines should also be readily available to help support nurses and other healthcare professional carry out effective environmental decontamination. Bacteria can survive on surfaces, so common sense indicates that, if the environment is kept clean, the bacterial load will be reduced (Bissett, 2006). Gould et al (2007) points out that transmission of infections such as MRSA can also take place from environmental reservoirs of the bacteria, including bedpans and urinals contaminated with spores. Hence, patient equipment hygiene is another important aspect of infection control in preventing the risk of spread infection. Although this list is not exhaustive, nurses caring for patients should ensure clean hoists, slings, baths, cot sides, toilet seats, commodes and bed pan holders after each use. Lockers, bed tables and chairs also need regular cleaning. According to WHO (2009) all care equipment must be treated in the same way. NICE (2003) states widely available approved detergent wipes are useful for cleaning and MRSA prevention. Disinfectants are not cleansers, so equipment needs to be cleaned with a detergent first, unless a sanitizer that combines both cleaning and disinfectant properties is available. Local guidelines on clearing up spillages of blood and body fluids should also be followed, remembering to wear aprons, gloves and eye protection (if required) to ensure safety and reduce the risk of infection for the person cleaning up the spillage. Nurses working in both hospitals and community settings should be aware of the growing threat of HCAI such as MRSA and acknowledge the need for universal precautions when nursing patients with this form of infection. Moreover, infection control departments have a clear responsibility to provide staff in clinical areas with information on infection control policies and procedures. It is imperative that all nurses and other healthcare professionals are made aware of the existence of such policies and procedures (NICE, 2003). Registered nurses must be aware that they may be in breach of the NMCs Code of Professional Conduct (2004) specifically clause 1.4: You have a duty of care to your patients and clients, who are entitled to receive safe and competent care. Meaning should a nurse fail to take appropriate precautions when dealing with a patient, for instance disregard for hand hygiene procedures the nurse may be liable for disciplinary procedures by the NMC. This may make nurses more aware of their responsibility with regards to HCAI such as MRSA and infection control. DH (2008) argues staff must take a pro-active rather than a reactive approach to the barriers that they face with implementing infection controls procedures such as hand hygiene. Nurses must ensure that the materials needed are readily available and others can be sourced if the need arises and that their training on infection control is up-to-date (RCN, 2000). In conclusion, MRSA with its antibiotic resistance has become one of the major challenges to the scientists and researchers in the health and medicine sector since the 1990s due to the increase rate of the number of inpatients who have caught infection due to cross infection. It is integral for nurses, other healthcare professional and visitors to follow the various precaution measures set out according to the hospital policies, procedures and guidelines as this will assist in the prevention of the transmission of MRSA.   The high numbers of HCAIs are putting patients lives and well being at risk and it also have significant implication on the NHS finance and resources. For this reason there is a clear need for nurses and other healthcare professionals to work collaboratively to tackle infection such as MRSA if infection rate are to fall.   Improving nurses knowledge of the cycle of infection in MRSA is one step in helping to prevent and control this infection. This may be in the form of education and training on the aspects of infection control, with constant up-dates on the current issues that are supported through evidenced-based practice (NMC, 2008). This will not only improve practice and assist in the appropriate use of resources but will also contribute towards to ensuring HCAIs do not reach epidemic proportions. The barriers to adequate hand hygiene are apparent, these must be overcome to ensure that Hospital Acquired Infections do not reach epidemic proportions, and as a result there are implications to nursing practice that must be met (Simpson, 1997). This may be in the form of education and training on the aspects of infection control, with constant up-dates on the current issues that are supported through evidenced-based practice (RCN, 2004). This will not only improve practice and assist in the appropriate use of resources but will also contribute towards nurses professional profiles for PREP requirements (NMC, 2004). Infection control departments have a clear responsibility to provide staff in clinical areas with information on infection control policies and procedures. It is imperative that clinical staff are made aware of the existence of such policies and procedures (NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, 2004). Registered nurses must be aware that they may be in breach of the NMCs Code of Professional Conduct (2004) specifically clause 1.4: You have a duty of care to your patients and clients, who are entitled to receive safe and competent care. Meaning should they fail to take appropriate precautions when dealing with a patient, for instance disregard for hand hygiene procedures they may be liable for disciplinary procedures by the NMC. This may make nurses more aware of their responsibility with regards to infection control. Staff must take a pro-active rather than a reactive approach to the barriers that they face with hand hygiene. They must ensure that the materials needed are readily available and others can be sourced if the need arises and that their training on infection control is up-to-date. (Scottish Executive, 1998).

History of the Independance Movement :: Essays Papers

History of the Independance Movement One of the most important forces that governed the course of Cuba’s colonial history was the concept of racism. From the moment that Christopher Columbus ignored the presence of indigenous peoples, and claimed the island for Spain on his first voyage in 1492, to the day Carlos Manuel de Cà ©spedes began the first revolution to independence, there was a strong tradition of separation and objectification (Franklin 1,4). Diego Velà ¡zquez was appointed governor of Cuba in 1511 (Franklin, 1). He founded the first European settlement, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncià ³n de Baracoa, on the Northeastern coast of the island. The European settlement of the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncià ³n was established in the middle of a pre-existing indigenous settlement, from which it got the name Baracoa (La Rosa Corzo, 35). Similar situations occurred in many of the other original settlements, such as the town of San Salvador de Bayamo. Christian prefixes were added to the indigenous names of towns. Europeans settled the center of these villages and natives were moved to the outskirts (La Rosa Corzo). During the fist one hundred years of colonization, the Native American population was greatly reduced, and gradually replaced by African workers (36). However, the pattern of settlement remained a constant. In a 1605 census two per cent of the total population was considered Indian, and thirty-six percent were African slaves. Most of these Indians lived outside of major cities under the jurisdiction of their own tribal leaders (36). As the French, Dutch and British began their exploration of the Caribbean, Spain was encouraged expedite its settlement of its existing colonies. Rapid settlement, coupled with Charles III’s 1789 policy of free trade in African slavery, led to the development of plantations, and a slave society (Howard, 2). By the beginning of the nineteenth century the stage was set for Cuba to become the biggest sugar producer in the world. The previous leading producer, San Domingue had almost lost its hold on the sugar trade altogether, due to the revolution. The United States was newly independent form European rules and looking for new trade partners; there was an opening in the market.

What I Learned from Mark Twain Essay examples -- How Education Has Chan

A multiplicity of books changed my life, connecting me with minds from many nations and ages, making me a citizen of the world and the universe, instead of a person bound by the horizons of a village and the flickering light of the living room TV. As a young person four books influenced me most-the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, the dialogues of Plato, Thoreau's Walden, and Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. The first two books made me an idealist, believing in the power of the mind to improve one's life and give it order and meaning. I loved the stylistic power of Walden, the exactness of its description. Often Thoreau writes as if giving tongues to leaves and riverbanks, as if rather than speaking himself, he let them speak. "Simplify! Simplify!" Thoreau said, and following his advice I tried not to encumber myself with too many possessions, or trade leisure and the time to think for things I didn't need. It may be because of Thoreau that I write mostly about people who don't have much in the way of consumer goods, but whose minds and spirits reach out to each...

St Bartolomew

St B | What were the Immediate Causes of the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre? | Document Sources 15,16,17,18| | Travis Bontorin| 10/24/2012| The immediate causes of the Saint Bartholomew’s day massacre, 1572 using the sources from Barbara Diefendorf’s â€Å"The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, A Brief History with Documents. | Since the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre there has been a great deal of controversy over the causes and blame of the historic crisis. Any religious dispute is a very contentious debate due to the fact that there were generally very few impartial bystanders to record what took place.Given that the clash between the Protestants and Catholics had been an ongoing problem since Protestantism had spread to France in the early 16th century, documents that can be studied are often very biased, and historians must gather information from a third party perspective in order to form opinions about historic events such as the Saint Ba rtholomew’s day massacre. Attempting to figure out why such a horrific event happened is incredibly difficult. It is impossible to know why an individual acted the way they did unless they recorded their thoughts at the time.However, by encompassing various documents written by different individuals we are able to establish an understanding of the circumstances leading up to the massacre and hereby construct a recipe for the event. The formula for any sort of civil crisis is simple; it requires two groups of people who passionately disagree on an issue enough to fight over it, a situation that puts high levels of tension between the two parties, an established fear of the unpredictability of the opposing group, and finally a trigger.In the days leading up to Saint Bartholomew’s Day 1572, the recipe for a disastrous event unfolds and ultimately evolves into the slaughtering of thousands of Protestants in Paris and surrounding regions of France. As with any conflict, the re are two sides to every argument. The religious quarrel between the Catholics and Protestants was so extensive that three wars had been fought throughout the 16th century. The disputes branched out further than religious theology; politics were fundamentally based on religious structures causing the French Wars of Religion to also be a struggle over monarchial power. In an attempt to settle the disputes King Charles IX planned to have his sister Marguerite married to the Protestant King of Navarre, Henry of Bourbon. The wedding was intended to bring peace between the two factions, however many disliked the adjoining of the two religions through matrimony. The wedding, only six days prior to Saint Bartholomew’s Day brought many Protestants into Paris for the celebrations. The large increase of Huguenots arriving in Paris added to the tension between the Protestants and Catholics.Catholic Parisians at the time had a strong distaste for Huguenots. Bringing a large number of Pr otestants into Paris for the wedding in a sense was â€Å"setting the stage† for the pursuant massacre. 2 Even though there was a peace treaty established between the Catholics and the Huguenots, both factions very much disliked one another. In the days after the wedding there were celebrations being held throughout Paris, the festivities were to continue until after Saint Bartholomew’s Day.These celebrations were cut short due to the attempt on the life of Admiral de Coligny by a harquebusier out of a window belonging to the Guise family. As news of the wounded Admiral was spread around Paris it began to stir dismay to the Protestants. Huguenots occupying Paris demanded justice on behalf of the Admiral and blamed the Guise for the attempted assassination. It was reported by many Catholics that the Protestant outrage escalated to the extent violent threats towards all Catholics3 and even towards King Charles IX. Captain Briquemault, revealed that Huguenots had assemble d and were planning to attack the Louvre. 5 Catholics were under the impression that the Protestants were plotting some sort of revolt. Fear began to rise amongst the Parisian Catholics as they prepared to defend themselves against the possibility of a Huguenot attack. 6 The tension in Paris during the two days between the attempted assassination of Admiral de Coligny and the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre could only lead to something bad.Catholics began marking themselves with white crosses so that they would not be mistaken as Protestant. 7 For two days neither Catholic nor Protestant made a physical attack at one another. The threats continued and with both factions at a standoff, waiting for something to happen, it was only a matter of time before the hypothetical powder keg would explode. It is still unknown who was directly responsible for the attempted assassination of Admiral Cologny. At the time, Huguenots were accusing the Duke du Guise because the shot was fired from a Guise house.Many people believe that it was the Queen, Catherine de Medici, who conspired to have the Admiral killed deliberately from the Guise house. Regardless of who was responsible in the days following the Catholics grew more and more fearful of the Protestants. Word was given that Admiral de Coligny would survive the attack; Catherine de Medici became very concerned that he would seek revenge. In a private court with the King she convinced him that something must be done about the Huguenots. The King was warned that the Protestants were planning to rise up against him and his state. Duke of Guise advised that they should â€Å"do to the same thing to them that the Huguenots planned to do to their Majesty†. 9 Charles IX then ensured that all Catholics within Paris were armed, he order at the gates to the city be locked so that no one could leave or enter, and that the boats on the river be chained so that no one could escape. 10 This was the trigger that set off the destruction. When merchants and bourgeoisie got word that the king had order the execution of the Protestants it was the spark provoked the massacre.The bell in the clock tower served as the signal for the Catholics to attack and at 11:00PM on Saint Bartholomew’s Day Catholics began to slaughter all the Huguenots in Paris, starting with Admiral de Coligny. 11 The term massacre is defined as a brutal slaughter of a group of people done without careful judgment or planning. The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre did not happen without any planning; someone planned to have Admiral de Coligny assassinated but it is difficult to support the idea that someone had planned the massacre of the Protestants.The immediate events leading up to the event indicate that tension in Paris built up unto to point where something dramatic was going to happen, if not the massacre something else. The combination of the tension and fear surrounding Paris and the increased number of Protesta nts in Paris, the distaste that each religion had for one another, and finally the trigger of the King ordering the attack is what caused the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.