Kaintz Discussion in Relationion to Essay

The article about Kaintz lead to a discussion that will definitely help the first draft of my paper. One thing i learned is that it is absolutely necessary to make the reader feel intrigued, and sort of involved in a way. In Critical Researcher, they mention this. It claims if you are referring to "mankind" in your essay, first talk about "man." I must first sell my thesis before it becomes a strong argument.
Also, i realized that i need to set limitations for my essay. When referring to "hazing," i must first discuss what EXACTLY it entails. Specifically, what traditions and rituals am i referring to? This ties in with me presenting necessary details for my essay to make sense to the reader. And for a closing paragraph or two, i should mention productive measures one can take in putting an end to "hazardous hazing" in American Colleges. This can include a mention of laws that have taken effect, as well as groups that support putting an end to this tradition as soon as possible. This will serve as a productive closer.

Top 3 Annotations for Essay

Focusing Question: Is the issue of dominance over others still prominent amongst society today? Have many battles for human rights finally put an end to these trends?

Source: http://www.stophazing.org

Layer 1: Story the Source

The website was created by a mother who has struggled with this question ever since her son went to college many years ago. Her son was a victim of fraternity hazing, and was the driving force in the website. The columns and articles usually involve recent stories in today's society. Most of her opinions are are very passionate because of her son's death.

Layer 2: Rapid Summary

The author of this website has created a National movement that is trying to put an end to fraternity hazing. Already, state laws and college punishments have come out of this website, because of this interest group. They actively challenge colleges that have had incidences, trying to finally put an end to fraternity hazing. It also explores how hazing starts sometimes in high schools, and how it is worse if starting at a younger age.

Layer 3: Narrative Thought

This source is excellent for many recent stories, and will help me a great deal in relating Bury the Chains themes to present times. I also like that she personally has become a victim to this, thus driving her to put time and effort into the cause.
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Focusing Question; Do the roots of fraternity hazing relate to the psychological state of men.

Source; The "Perfect Storm Theory". Located on insidehazing.com.

Layer 1: Story the Source

This theory has to do with finding out why men involve themselves with fraternity hazing. It was conducted by psychologist professors who wanted to take a deeper, and more pyschological, look into why adolescent men actively engage in this tradition.

Layer 2: Rapid Summary

"The Perfect Storm Theory" investigates the psychological reasoning for why "hazardous hazing" continues across colleges in the United States today. It refers to many reasons why young men participate in it, some dating back to how they were raised as a child, etc. It says all hazing has to do with the "environment" of a person, the "characteristics" of a person, and the "internal processes" of a person.

Layer 3: Narrative Thought

I think by examining the psychological reasoning for this long-lived tradition, i can make a connection to why people have an obsession over dominance of another. The master-slave relationship, even though Slavery has ended in this country, is still very prominent in society today.
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Focusing Question; Why do many universities and clubs in American universities find the concept of fraternity hazing acceptable and civil? Why do adolescents accept such inhuman treatment just for social acceptance?

Source; A book written by Hank Nuwer entitled "The Wrong of Passage; Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking."

Layer 1: Story the Source

"The Wrongs of Passage" is one huge investigation of why young men and women involve themselves in hazardous hazing scenarios. It involves long-time studies and first hand accounts by many people who have been witness to the tradition.

Layer 2: Rapid Summary

Nuwer makes a point of how young men and women are the first ones to standout against their human rights; yet, when it comes to a long tradition like fraternity hazing, silence incurs. He questions why so many college students make such "unethical calls." He also makes the connection between high school hazing in many activities that sometimes leave a young person proned to these activities in college.

Layer 3: Narrative Thought

Nuwer makes a very strong case of why young men and women silence this in themselves. He thoroughly analyzes why this tradition is somehow "acceptable" throughout society. This book has tons of hard facts as well, that show a disturbing number of hazing related incidents starting as early as middle school for young teens.

Feedback from class.

Questions from peers;

1. “Did you see it as a problem while you were hazed?”

            Me referencing my own experiences with a fraternity were to combine personal experience with the issue.  Obviously, being IN SUPPORT of my own fraternity, I haven’t been the victim of hazing.  However, this question brought up a good point.  I should definitely make the clear distinction between productive fraternity pledging and hazing.  I am in support of a pledge process that makes friends of the pledge class and introduces the new members to the traditions and goals of the frat.  This does not have to involve any acts of hazing.

2. “Do you believe anti-hazing seminars hold any effect on the fraternities?”

            This is definitely something that could be analyzed by statistical measures (hazing related incidents,” as well as first hand interviews with alumni of different fraternities around the country.  I know first hand we had alumni weekend at my house last weekend, and I was very curious to the conditions of pledging many decades ago.  I was told by brothers that graduated in the early 80’s that when they joined the fraternity the school had no restrictions or punishments for hazing related incidents.  In my own personal opinion, Syracuse University has taken huge strides in minimizing hazing as best they can.  The establishment of the Intra Fraternity Council alone has providing a sort of “policing” system for every fraternity on campus. 

 

I think if I can combine my own thoughts with questions that people asked, it is very possible for clearing up any confusion people have with my essay.  I must make it clear my essay has nothing to do with comparing a “slave’s life” with a “pledge process”.  Instead, I am going to investigate the mental nature of masters compared to slaves, in comparison to pledging in fraternities.  I want to truly understand why people have an obsession with dominance over others.  Why are there so many examples of master and slave type circumstances in the world today?  Will it ever end? 

 

When people simply post on my wall that “people are dicks”, it does not help me in any way.  

Essay Topic Source

www.Stop Hazing.org - "Educating to Eliminate Hazing"
www.stophazing.org

-One of the few nationally recognized organizations that provides education and information about hazing and the punishments involved.

-The first column of the site is the elongated definition of hazing, and specifies what qualifications are associated with it.
-Definitely a scare tactic to any organization that does practice any "hazing rituals".
-Originally designed by a husband and wife that lost their son in a fraternity hazing related incident over twenty years ago.
-Provides resources, anonymous tip lines, books, online blogs, columns, links, etc.
-Very concentrated on the connection between alcohol consumption and hazing. Has a seperate section with columns in many newspapers directly related to these types of stories.

Bury The Chains; Chapters 22, 23, and the Epilogue

The following summaries are of Pages 324-354 , as well as 365 and 366.

Pages 324-332 of Chapter 22
In the ending chapters of Bury the Chains, author Adam Hochschild describes in great detail the last efforts of the abolition movement that added to the eventual success, as well as the positive and negative backlash of the entire movement on not just Britain- but the entire surrounding world. to begin the chapter, the reader is told of the great debate between gradual and immediate end to slavery. Elizabeth Heyrick, former schoolteacher and converted Quaker, was a prominent figure in the public support of immediate -not gradual- end to slavery. As described as finally "given women the permission to speak" (325), opinionated women were eager to defend their long silenced opposition to slavery. Heyrick was one of the originators of boycotting slave labor crops, however was much more adamant and true to the cause. Her "burning passion for justice" (328), was the driving force in many women joining the abolition movement. While the growing concern among British citizens for the possibility of future slave revolt in the Carribean stirred, current slaves were interested in designing rebellions at just as rapid a pace. Missionary chapels became meeting grounds for slaves to network and communicate possible plans of attack against their masters. One Protestant missionary, John Smith, began teaching slave children literacy without telling the plantation owners. With this knowledge and acquired ability to read, slaves designed a rebellion in the confines of Smith's church without him knowing. After the revolt of nearly 9,000 slaves armed with knives and pikes, John Smith was blamed and hung by the white colonists. Yet again in the struggle for ending slavery, Hochschild exposes the inability for whites to give credit to the slaves for their success in organizing a movement. The martyr like death of Smith angered many Britons. Once again, Hochschild writes of irony, while proclaiming "but the death of one white man moved them more than those of 250 slaves" (331). In the closing of chapter 22, Hochschild describes vividly the torture technique of "treadmills". As seen many times previously throughout the book, the author uses shock value to remind the reader of what was still happening to millions of slaves aside from the abolition movement. The Duke of Clarence took thrown from King William IV in 1828 which was a real troubling turn of events for Thomas Clarkson, whom had just lost his most loyal supporter - John Clarkson.

Chapter 23; "Come, Shout O'er The Grave"
In Chapter 23 of "Bury The Chains", Adam Hochschild emphasizes that it took personal empathy, not a secure Democratic system of politics, that ignited the eventual passing of a bill that finally freed 800,000 black men, women, and children on August 1, 1838. Also dispersed in the chapter is opposing viewpoints of the legacy of Thomas Clarkson, as well as the effect that the reform had generations and generations to follow. By the start of the 1830's in Britain, the amount of eligible voters was less than 100 years prior, which is a staggering statistic. While Manchester was thriving with both enlightening and industrial strides, this city of loyal Clarkson supporters had zero representatives in Parliament compared to the two of the "virtually uninhabited" Old Sarum. The inability to vote was offensive to many citizens. "Why not... give rising middle classes more of a stake in government?" (334). In the spirit of reform and citizen action, the spirit of abolition was once again reignited. By using a technique originally used by Elizabeth Heyrick and the Birmingham Ladies' Society for the Relief of Negro Slaves, George Stephen formed a subcommittee that paid lecturers a yearly salary in an effort to stir up public support in neighboring cities with public speeches and demonstrations. After this Agency Antislavery Committee joined forces with the current female activists, there "breathed new life into the national movement" (336). Hochschild makes it a point to attack the Church of England once again by explaining that the Quakers were more egalitarian. While the Reform bill passed the House of Commons in 1831, the House of Lords were strongly opposed. None the less, riots ensued. Rumors of abolition spread through newspapers in Caribbean Islands. On Christmas day 1831, more than two hundred plantations in Jamaica were ruined under the lead of Samuel Sharpe, causing 1.1 million dollars worth of damage. Sharpe was a well mannered man, with a mesmerizing ability to emotionally drive many slaves through his public speeches. Even though he originally wished for a peaceful revolt, this was impossible with slaves' current situations. Many rebel fighters were in uniform thought to have been sewed by women, which further emphasized the strength of the slave community. Sharpe was finally captured and hung with one prominent quote in his legacy; "I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery." Finally with enough public opinion the House of Lords agreed to the Reform. The reform was a two step process that first included slaves being apprentices to their masters for four years, then ultimately gaining freedom. Supporters of the movement rallied for emancipation-minded Parliament members. While on August 1, 1838, William Knibb proclaimed "the monster is dead!" (348) in Britain, there was still active slavery in many other continents around the world. Of all the printing shop crew of 51 years prior, Thomas Clarkson was one of the few still alive to witness the success of their vigorous effort. After the death of Wilberforce, his two sons published a five volume biography that discredited Clarkson and many others in a claim that their father had not received the ultimate credit he had deserved. As Wilberforce was an active political force throughout his lifetime, many people of Britain took comfort in placing the credit in the hands of a "wise elite". While the two men were inarguably one of the most powerful duos in all of history, the feud caused by Wilberforce's sons tarnished the reputation of Thomas Clarkson especially. Hochschild accredits these two men with igniting the spirit of reform in many other aspects of British culture including citizen working conditions and Parliament displeasure. Before his eventual decease at the age of 86, Clarkson was able to pass some of his 60 years of experience on to a few of the leaders of the American antislavery movement. William Garrison and Frederick Douglass were given an insight to the abolitionist spirit instilled in Clarkson; "if i had sixty years more they should all be given to the same cause" (354). In a meaningful gesture, Hochschild closes the chapter with the following anecdote; a large group of Clarkson's Quaker supporters, in an "unprecedented departure from long-sacred custom", removed their hats as a sign of respect at his funeral procession.

Pages 365-366; The Closing Paragraphs of the Epilogue
In the closing remarks by author Adam Hochschild in the epilogue of "Bury the Chains", opinion-driven arguments are listed that involve the actual reasoning behind people finally accepting the abolition movement in England, as well as the legacy that proceeded. One interesting fact is that Jamaica Coffee House, which was once popular amongst slave captains, is now presently the Jamaica Whine House. Also, the popular Antislavery International organization stemmed from the abolition movement, and is now home to the Thomas Clarkson House headquarters in London. Hochschild mentions that the thought of ending slavery in the eighteenth century was about as ludicrous as trying to close the gap of between rich and poor nations or ending the spread of nuclear weapons in present times. Hochschild proclaims that "they will not be solved at all unless people see them as both outrageous and solvable, just as slavery was felt to be by the twelve men who gathered in James Phillips's printing shop in George Yard on May 22, 1787. It took faith from these twelve men that eventually the care of human suffering would emotionally drive people to an acceptance of a reform. Hochschild, in one final effort to criticize the church, saves the last lines of the book to proclaim that no consideration of "sacred texts" drove the abolitionists. Instead, it was purely human empathy.

Bury The Chains; Chapter 21

In Chapter 21 of Bury the Chains, author Adam Hochschild takes us step by step through the final efforts of finally passing the bill that ended the British slave trade once and for all. To begin the chapter, there are a number of discouraging factors listed that were delaying the once passionate abolition movement. "Repressive legislation had brought almost all reform-minded political activity to a stop" (300). After describing the reasons for the movement coming to a halt, which notably included the lack of support by many Britons whom had lost brothers and husbands on foreign battlefields, Hochschild introduces James Stephen. Described almost as "a savior to the movement," a combination between his law experience and blatant hatred for slavery motivated him. As described as the "best intellect" of the entire group, he disguised his anti-slavery motivations in designing a bill that ended British subjects, shipyards, outfitters, and insurers from any involvement in slave trade with any French colony. Because of the current situation with France, many Britons jumped at the thought of cutting ties with their enemy however possible. To disagree with the bill was unpatriotic. The Foreign Slave Trade Act soon abolished two-thirds of the entire British slave trade, yet many supporters of the bill itself were blind to Stephen's true motivations. Only after passing through the House of Commons did slave trade supports quickly notice the potential effect of the bill. However, it was too late. Even when Manchester citizens concerned of the effect on their cloth mills petitioned, Clarkson ignited his own allies in formulating a greater supported counter petition. One point of irony in Chapter 21 lied in the fact that Wilberforce opposed a proposition from a Parliament member that would free all infants born to slaves. There was greater support at this time than the 1790's for many reasons listed by Hochschild. One was that for the first time in history, British soldiers had not been able to contain rebellion efforts of slaves in St. Domingue. For the Britons, finally was it noticed that passion and drive was sometimes greater than quantity and size. "The climax of twenty years of effort" (307) came shortly after the bill abolishing the entire British slave trade passed both houses of Parliament in 1807. Shortly after, George III made this bill a law. Even though West Indie planters tried to counteract, faith was finally restored to the millions of enslaved people surrounding the Atlantic. In a typical Hochschild manner, the chapter comes to an end with a ironic actuality. While Britain had made an effort to wash out "this foul stain from the pure ermine of our national character" (308), there still was over half a million blacks still forced into slavery amongst plantations throughout the British Caribbean.

Bury The Chains; Critical Reviews

After reading the three reviews of "Bury The Chains", there are many parts to them i both agree and disagree with...

Brookhiser's review in the Boston Globe

My opinion: Thumbs Up

I do in fact agree wholeheartedly with Brookhiser's criticism about Hochschild's book. While there is clearly a personal dislike for Christian ideals and past history, i believe this is simply just another case of an author spinning facts in his own way. However, i do not see it as deterring enough to not appreciate the value of the novel thus far. Because it is done in a subtle way, it is not such a burden on the reader that it becomes a problem.

"Freed" review of Bury the Chains in NY Times by By MARILYNNE ROBINSON

My opinion: Thumbs Down

This review of the novel is done in a biased and cynical manner. Robinson claims that the economic benefit of the abolition movement was an important factor in the uprising, which i do agree with. However, without the support and initiative of a few key figures leading the way, no amount of money could have ended the tradition of slavery. Do i believe that Clarkson was affected in any way by personal financial gain? No. Therefore, since the novel is themed around the life of Thomas and his Quaker sidekicks, there is no real reason for Hochschild to make this a big factor. Thus far, i believe "Bury the Chains" covers the events that were most important to the success of Clarkson and his passive following, while sometimes ignoring important themes. Obviously, ending slavery has far too many facets to fit into a 400 page book; therefore, the author selected what he thought were the greatest contributing efforts to abolition.

Bury the Chains; Chapter 18

In Chaptear 18 of Adam Hochschilds "Bury the Chains", we are told the David V. Goliath tale of Toussaint and his army's uprising, and their miraculous defeat of British armed forces in St. Domingue. The chapter begins with a chilling account of a slave rebellion that conveys the seriousness of the movement. The reader is told of an overly descriptive depiction of the fate of one of the plantation owners' family, which sets the tone early on in At the Foot of Vesuvius. Taking place in the later part of the eighteenth century, the island of St. Domingue was under French regime and was a haven for some of the most brutal slave conditions in the world. While the native slaves exponentially outnumbers their free white counterparts, it was only a matter of time for a large-scale uprising to occur. What began with angry slaves meeting under the night sky at Alligator Woods eventually unraveled into the "largest and bloodiest slave revolt the world had ever seen" (256). This rebellion exposed the huge contradiction that existed between the current French Revolution and the present slave conditions throughout the land. The British involvement originally came from the fear that the trend of rebellion would contagiously spread to the British owned Jamaica, Caribbean neighbor of St. Domingue. While slaves in Jamaica believed freedom was "imminent", mulatto citizens from St. Domingue joined the efforts in protest to their second class lifestyle forced upon them. Once war broke out between Britain and France in 1793, Britian forces conquered St. Domingue in an effort to gain "an immense treasure house of sugar and coffee plantations and stop the virus of rebellion from spreading" (268). After the city of Tiburon was captured, the anxious British troops felt as if they had already attained victory. But while the celebration and news spread, the French educated Toussaint L'Ouverture transformed his army of "illiterate rebels into a formidable force" (269) that held off the British invasion by leaving over 60% of the troops sent to St. Domingue deceased. This leader, with no prior military experience, instilled both passion and a burning desire for liberty into each of his followers. He'd attack at the perfect time, while British forces faced the dangers of the Carribean terrain. While soldiers tried to take on diseases that spread rampant with pointless medical defensive techniques, many lives of soldiers were lost in malpractice alone. In a panic, the British armed forces purchases over 13,000 slaves in an effort to enhance their military. After the rebellion forces captured Mourne l'Hopital, the ears of British soldiers were ringing with singing voices of the ex-slaves basking in their victory. By October 1798, the British forces admitted to their losing effort and ended their military efforts. While this was a landmark in the abolition movement, Toussaint proved to many that "the character of men is independent of exterior color" (The Times, 279). Hochschild makes it apparent that British record of their losing effort in St. Domingue has been seemingly erased from history out of shame.


"It was the slaves of St. Domingue, however, who had freed themselves" (267).
"By 1798, it was clear that the redcoats could not keep their foothold much longer" (278).
"We are fighting that liberty-the most precious of all earthly possessions-may not perish" (278).

Essay Lead......

I used two types of leads in my thesis; a short anecdote as well as a clear contrast/comparison of two very different themes.


Fraternity Serfdom by Matt Maillet

Year after year, Freshmen boys and girls make the decision to join Greek life at Syracuse University, contracting themselves to abandon all forms of personal rights and principles, for the simple sake of being initiated into a social organization. While obviously the act of hazing its new members is not a trend that every fraternity and sorority follows, certain organizations on campus carry the guilt of degrading its "pledges" with every new class. Power hungry upper classmen make it a personal goal to strip the basic rights of their new members over and over again simply because they once experienced the same type of discomfort as a Freshman. The humiliation that they faced just one or two years prior is silenced deep inside them, and many individuals make it a personal goal to make the process just as brutal for the new guys as they once had it. Even though they can still remember the shame they once had to face, the need for authority is overbearing. Adam Smith declared the following observation in 1763 regarding the mind state of many people opposed to slavery abolition at the time; "It has been universal in the beginnings of society, and the love of dominion and authority over others will probably make it perpetual." Even during a time of Enlightenment across Europe, people neglected the fact that the slave trade was morally unacceptable. While at the same time of the slave trade there were American and French revolutions protected basic human rights for millions of others, many people were still reluctant to abandon the authority and command they had over slaves. Like the power hungry senior of a fraternity who is guilty of undermining his new members, many people in the 18th century silenced their feeling of remorse and wrongdoing while continuing the heinous tradition of slavery.

Chapters 11, 12/13 and 15.

Chapter 15; The Sweets of Liberty

The beginning of the chapter emphasizes the fact that the British support of Thomas Clarkson's abolitionist movement had grown at a staggering pace. It was incredible how quickly it "caught the public imagination" (213). With the help of the loyal Quakers in the background of things, as well as Equiano's successful novel, things were actually starting to gain momentum in Britain. However, for every other European nation that had been industrialized this was not the case. While Britons were industrial enough to first build the modern turnpike to save travel time, they were also the first to adapt this enlightened trend of ending slavery. With the invention of newspapers which was pivotal in keeping citizens of Britain up to date with uncensored global trends, coffee shops across the country served as a place where the working class could come together each morning. Even while political pamphlets and petitions were spreading through the works of John Wilkers in the 1760's, there was still only 5% of the population that could vote for the House of Commons. This "enslavement" was the incentive and motivation that caused many Britons to join the abolitionist's movement earlier than most. One obvious reason for this quickly growing movement was that an end to slavery would not directly affect most British citizens, while in America it would. Many British men faced the constant threat of press gangs and forced entry into the British Navy. This was a constant threat to all classes of men, not just the working class. Men were "kidnapped" at gunpoint in their homes, and thrown on to a ship as a sailor. Hundreds of brawls broke out between press gangs and their victims. Thomas Clarkson, as he had proven in the past, was just as opposed to this type of injustice as any in the past. Impressment was a tough obstacle to get over, and did not find it's end until the middle of the 18th century.

Chapters 12/13; 167-174, 192-198

In Chapters 12 and 13 of "Bury the Chains", author Adam Hochschild explains a greater background story of Equiano. After a successful book was published, Olaudah Equiano set out on a book tour that brought him all around Europe, the West Indies, as well as the Americas. While being the sole publisher of the book, he earned a great deal of wealth. With his voiced opinions about interracial marriage (radical at the time,) he went on to marry a white woman, proving his own theories. At a time where many people were told that every slave was illiterate and mentally incapable, it was quite shocking too many that an ex slave could achieve such success in the literature field. The first hand accounts that he described were the straw that broke the camels back for many slavery supporters at the time. The reader is then introduced to different anti-slavery tactics that were gaining popularity in Britain. The newly thought of sugar boycott was easily communicated to the masses by use of "the pamphlet." Clarkson, with the evidence from his interviews and gained knowledge, then wrote another novel entitled "The Abstract" that explored the brutality slaves were put up against. While not referencing The Bible in any context throughout Clarkson's novel, this journalistic account had a great deal of graphic details. His hard work and experimental approach to the subject of slavery contributed greatly to the content of the novel.

Chapter 11; "Ramsay is Dead-I Have Killed Him"

In Chapter 11 of "Bury the Chains", Adam Hochschild mentions the "positive swing" that the abolition movement has gained. Wilberforce, member of Parliament, first introduced a bill of abolition at a meeting. This was a huge stepping stone in the process; because for the first time the topic was discusses in a government setting. Out of fear by the Britons that the French would gain full control of the slave trade business if they ended it right away, the thought was tossed out. Clarkson swiftly went out seeking real-life witnesses with first hand struggles fresh in their minds. The whole process was sped up because of the international tension between the French and British. The reader is then told of the Brookes Diagram, which was a slave ship with artistic modified diagrams that laid out the module for many of the present slave ships. The diagram shows where 480 slaves were forced to sleep on their voyage, and clearly proved that the living conditions were unbearable and too minuscule for any group of people to live in. This was definitely a tactic of shock and awe, and provided a bigger argument for the abolition fighters.

Bury the Chains; Chapter Nine

In the beginning of this chapter, we are told that Clarkson was in immediate need of Parliament support. Even though his trips to Manchester and Liverpool were so successful on a smaller scale, the need for government backing had become imminent. One prominent figure with financial backing and Parliament experience, was Wilberforce. Clarkson, with a prior subtle relationship with this man, thought that he could be the ticket to Parliament support for the committee of abolitionists' widespread movement. The movement became global in 1788, when pamphlets were printed and translated to other languages and sent to citizens of France, Portugal, Spain, etc. From a marketing standpoint, Josiah Wedgewood was taken into the group for his public flair. His biggest contribution was the stamp that was placed on every envelope that the group sent. It depicted an African on his knees suffering, which became an icon for the group's movement. We are reintroduced to John Newton, who had now had a great deal to offer to Clarkson and the group about his own experience in the viscous trade. Due to illness, Wilberforce had to push back the initial abolitionist's debate. However, the movement was becoming more and more wide spread with the help of others.

Bury the Chains; Chapter Eight

"The abolitionists were pioneers in forging a central tool of modern civil society" (2007). While in our present time, the idea of a group meeting for a humanitarian and helpful cause seems somewhat simple. In Clarkson's era, this was unheard of. After being introduced to many traditions of the Quakers, we are told that while great strides were being taken it was still impossible for an immediate freeing of all present slaves. While a possible end to the slave trade seemed conceivable, a full abolition was not in reach just yet. Reverend Ramsay was seen as a traitor, and was not respected by any of his neighbors. Clarkson took his mission to Bristol head on, realizing the danger in his attempts. Clarkson expanded his first hand knowledge. After seeking John Dean, the slave turned sailor with horrendous scars on his back from an angry captain, he was the first person in the slave trade era to ever record the measurements of the living space that Africans were forced into on their voyages. Clarkson went as far as pressing criminal charges against slave ship captains that killed Africans on the voyages. With no hospitality offered to him because of his rebellious opinion, Clarkson received constant death threats against him. He even escaped a 8 or 9 men group that attempted to throw him over the pier because of his abolitionist ways. When visiting Manchester, he was introduced to Thomas Walker and Thomas Cooper. Before he knew it, he was delivering sermons to attentive citizens that had similar beliefs. After the Manchester petition was sent to Parliament, it later turned out as many as 1 in every 5 citizens of the city signed it. "A movement was under way" (121).

The Curious Researcher; Introduction

I like the context and and narrative of The Curious Researcher so far. After reading the first 16 pages or so, i realized this book isn't like your typical writing help book. This book will especially be helpful to me because it introduces an organized system of approaching the first research paper of the semester. The chart on page 6 is very helpful and easy to understand. Also, it is something you could make a calendar for yourself off of. The section about just how argumentative my essay should be is helpful as well. It says that the best essays have a strong and lively presence in their work. Also, it "encourages a kind of inquiry" in my writing, rather than just the typical college essay format. The Curious Researcher by Bruce Ballenger is definitely full of information that will help me this semester down the road.

Bury the Chains; Chapter 7

Summary:
Even before the first meeting of the printing shop committee took place in 1787, the first emancipation had already come into effect. In an effort to suppress the rebel movement in the United States, the British promised freedom to any American slave whom had deserted his master. The slave was to fight for the British in the army. The major problem with this British promise was what would happen once the war ended. Laurens, outraged at the promise given to the slaves, made a personal effort to recapture slaves in South Carolina. After being imprisoned in the Tower of London, his bail was posted Richard Oswald. After his release and joining with Ben Franklin's peace negotiators, it was agreed that the "British troops should carry off no negroes or other American property" (101). The biggest concern was American slave owners recapturing some of the 3,000 slaves that were living in New York City. When General Sir Guy Carlton went against George Washington's wish and allowed the freed slaves to continue to be free, Washington was deeply offended at the gesture. Even though Carlton was a known slave owner, his sense of honor caused him to side with the freed slaves that the British had made a promise to. Since the slaves were freed by the British, this "stolen property" would later be compensated once Washington became president for half of their original market value. Of the thousands of ex-slaves living in New York City, one of them named Boston King described life for these people. While sometimes slave owners from southern states would return to the city in search for their escaped slaves, women and children were ripped out of bed and forced back into the life they thought they had escaped forever. In an effort to keep these ex-slaves free from dishonorable slave owners, Carleton took it upon himself to find a safe alternative for them. He took three thousand slaves on ships to the closest British territory, Nova Scotia. This territory had quickly become the largest community of freed blacks in any British Territory in America.

Comments:
While Carleton was once a slave owner himself, I think his efforts in standing up to George Washington were honorable. His recognition of the freedom that the British had granted these men was one that took a great deal of courage at a time where Americans were still unsure of these new inhabitants living in New York City. Carleton was able to recognize early on that the effects of slavery were still in fact prevalent in American culture. Just letting newly freed blacks fend for themselves in their new living conditions was unreasonable and unjust. The obsession George Washington had with returning the ex-slaves to their original owners was of passion and anger. While i had known prior that George Washington was in fact a slave owner, i had never learned of his inability to honor ex-slaves freedom.

Bury the Chains; Chapter 6

Summary:
By 1783, many people of Britain had become dependent on slavery. They wondered how else they would get sugar and tea without slaves. While there seemed to finally be a few standout voices opposing slavery, the actual trade itself was still ingrained in society. The attacks on religion are very prevalent in this chapter as well. Major religious figures of the time are described as everyday slave owners. Thomas Clarkson, attending Cambridge at the time, was the first ever to win both a lower-ranking Latin prize and eventually competing for the big one with Peckard's competition. After months of devoted research and realizations, Clarkson became completely engrossed in putting slavery to an end. This "moral steam-engine" is credited as a true pioneer of the anti-slavery movement. After publishing an English version of his essay, he approached the Anti-Slavery Quaker movement where he was happy to learn they had already been making moves on both sides of the Atlantic. Clarkson was introduced to Ramsary, an Evangilical minister, controversial author of a few anti-slavery books of his time. Realizing that there was more to learn about slavery from a strictly first hand perspective, Clarkson decided to board Fly on it's voyage from Ghana to Jamaica. One interesting fact was that sick sailors that were on the third leg of the voyage were not kept alive. This is interesting point; some of the ruthless tactics used against the slaves poured into many Captain's relationships with his own sea men. Clarkson turned to his Quaker allies for help. While he needed the Quaker community for their networking and loyalty to the cause, the Quakers needed Clarkson because of his Anglican background. A committee of 12 men was sanctioned; consisting of nine Quakers and three Anglicans. The task that this committee faced seemed unfathomable at a time where slavery was so engrossed in British culture. Yet, in this smelly and musty eighteenth century printing shop, these twelve men were able to join forces together and embark on one of the greatest movements in the history of human rights.

Comments:
While it seems as the book progresses, the horror of slavery was starting to become more of a realization for many of the British people. However, because there hadn't ever been a prominant figure with enough courage to start making a difference until Clarkson, slavery had been untouched. Before reading this book, i wasn't aware of how important the Quakers effect on the abolitionist's movement was. With the help of an organized team of people who all hated slavery just as much as the next man, the movement had gone into full effect. The will power and passion of these twelve abolitionists was one that no person could hold down.

G MEN

Upset city next Sunday.......

Bury the Chains; Chapter Four

The chapter opens up with an explanation of the importance of sugar plantations at the time. It describes the layout of the property that the slave owners managed. While the working conditions were harsh for the slaves, the plantation owners managed to live in beautiful houses. We are told of a British man who traveled to America who was a key player in the abolitionists movement. James Stephen was caught in a triangle of three women at the time. While he details his love for Nancy to begin with, he later meets Maria (who gets pregnant with their child,) and in the midst of all of this just disappears. The book then describes the harshest of conditions on Codrington's plantation, where all but the young children and elderly were to work in 12 hour shifts. The intensive work was the hardest for field hands. The threat of over-working the slaves were very little for the plantation owners; a mere 15 dollar fine. Slave deaths were recorded with the deaths of cattles, horses, and hogs. After getting a southern American description, the author describes how much harder the Carribean slave work was. Plantation owners depended on this new "shipments" of human cargo very often, to avoid the decreasing numbers of the many slaves that died of sickness and disease as time passed.

Bury the Chains; Chapter 2

The chapter starts with the rare, first hand descriptions, that were recorded by Equiano on his voyages. One account describes a horrible encounter where his sister and him were found and taken by the slave traders to the boat without any hesitation. Barbados at the time had even more British slaves then all of the formed colonies in North America. While being a parcel slave for the duration of the Seven Year War, he was given many different names. His curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit made him a friend of many of the officers. Shortly after being given the status of Royal Navy able seamen, he was placed under a different officer on the Charming Sally. While gaining trust with his fellow sailors, Equiano began plotting a way to escape. Finally after awaiting an oppurtunity to buy freedom, he escaped due to a carpenter's help. Eventually, after fleeing to London, it was clear that the British Empire would never permit a free black man until slavery was ended.

Bury the Chains; Chapter 1

In the early eighteenth century, the business of trading slaves while receiving crops in the West Indies was one that many young Englishman took part in. John Newton was raised around the slave-trade business as early as the age of 11 when joining his father on many voyages. His record of this era is detailed and revealing. By this time the slave trading business had become a rewarding one for many captains, dating all the way back to when the Atlantic slave involved Britian in 1555. As described as "the foundation of our commerce , the support of our colonies, the life of our navigation, and first cause of our national industry and riches" (14), the thought of ending this tradition seemed inconceivable. This entrepreneurial era is compared to the gold rush of the next century. The country's wealthiest figures, while living lavish lifestyles that were envied by fellow countrymen, were the most successful slave traders of the time. The parts of Africa that were popular amongst slave traders were also under their own systems of slavery. Sometimes as many as thousands of Africans were force-marched onto ships and traded to ship captains. Amongst this all, women and children were victims of heinous crimes committed by the "white savages." After Newton entered Africa in an attempt to gain a share in management of the slave trade, a vessel owner Joseph Manesty lost trust in him and tried to convince "young John's" father to retrieve him back to Britian. After a near sinking of the voyager John Newton was on, he credited God in saving his life and vowed to expand his successful career in slave trading. One of his voyages across the ocean left 62 slaves dead before reaching the port at Charleston. After marrying Mary Catlett in 1750, he continued the triangle voyages. Goods were traded in Africa, then slaves to the Carribean and North America, then sugar, coffee, cotton, rice, and rum back to Europe. Newton kept a detailed account of these voyages. When more and more slave traders took the same voyage as Newton, the competition increased and the business became more riskier. His accounts detail many of the slaves on board dieing during the long trips, as well as white sailors falling ill to diseases they had never experienced. Newton spent most his thorough searches on the Sierra Leone coast. While expanding his business, he had gained a wealth of approximately 68 million (present value.) Like Oswald, the ultimate sign of slave trade wealth was never setting foot in Africa. While recording in his journal that he believed the slaves were becoming more happy with their situations, he continued to take his faith very seriously in his voyages. The "divine interventions" that Newton experienced were all the result of his help from God. While he was quick to admit that his success was driven by the power of God, never once did he see a moral dilemma with his career choice.

Bury the Chains; Introduction

The imagery to start the novel makes it easier to understand the difference in times, and allowed for me to get a feel for what the world was like during "a global economy based on forced labor
" (2). While different countries had different means of enslaving people; nonetheless, it was a massive global trend. Free men were the minority, while the other 75 percent imprisoned in one way or another. It is a phenomenal feat that the anti slavery movement was successful in a little more than one lifetime, while the roots of slavery go as far back as the Romans, Greeks, Incas, and Aztecs. While American schools spend years of education on the importance of the Underground Railroad and the prominent American slavery abolitionists, the actual roots of the anti-slavery philosophy started with the men that met at 2 George Yard in 1787. Thomas Clarkson, the leader of the printing shop group, was one of the greatest contributors to human rights. Stephen Fuller, a plantation owner and pro-slavery advocate, was joined by so many people in fighting the movement. The reason for this is simple; the thought of ending global slavery was such a new and radical concept that had never been conceived before. The influence of these 18th century men is evident in any Democratic ideal held even today. Even though a minority of people in London would have even admitted to slavery being morally wrong in 1787, the idea of abolishing it seemed virtually impossible. Yet, by 1792 the House of Commons had already passed a law banning slave trade. Even though it took years for this to actually affect the masses of enslaved people at the time, once the movement caught on there was "no turning back" (7).