Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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.
Monday, January 28, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
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.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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).
" (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).
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