Class Comment from Curious Researcher

The checklist with 16 points about writing research papers brought up some good class discussion. I found the point about "you can use your own experiences and observations as evidence" interesting. This is only because within the classes that I have had to take within the Education program, all of the professors stress tying in personal experiences or experiences from the field placements in order to help support your point. I think depending on what classes you take, the topic of the course, and the type of professor you have, their outlook on incorporating personal experiences may be different. In classes where the information may be more straight forward, it does not seem unreasonable for a teacher to not ask for personal experiences. In classes where the information being taught is very relatable to life experiences, sharing experiences to support claims should be encouraged.

Two User Friendly Points from The Curious Researcher

• Because procrastination is the enemy, this book was designed to help you budget your time and move through the research and writing process in five weeks. It may take you a little longer, or you may be able to finish your paper a little more quickly. But at least initially, use the book sequentially, unless your instructor gives you other advice.
  
• You'll discover your choice of possible topics suddenly expands. If you're not limited to arguing a position on a topic, then you can explore any topic that you find puzzling in interesting ways and you can risk asking questions that might complicate your point of view.
  

Chapter 7- BTC

In Chapter 7, when the American Revolution begins, the British were desperate for men to join the Army so that they could fight back against the rebels. In their time of desperation, they promised freedom to the American slaves if they left their rebel masters and joined the army. After the war was over, what would happen to all of these slaves? When George Washington met with General Carleton, problems arose regarding what would now happen with the freed slaves. There was disagreement about whether the slaves should be returned or whether their owners should just be compensated for them. When news of the Paris peace accord made its way to New York City, previous slave masters came to reclaim their slaves. When Carleton saw that this was happening, he realized that the only way to ensure the freedom of these slaves was to have them all relocate to another British territory, Nova Scotia.

This chapter did provide more historical background of what was going on with the slaves after the American Revolution. Unfortunately, this is pretty much all I walked away with after reading it. I feel like this chapter was a little disconnected from the previous chapter and Hochschild has not been clear enough as to what he is writing this book about.

Chapter 6- BTC

In Chapter 6 of Bury the Chains, Hochschild mentions how so many people living in Britain did not necessarily agree with slavery, but at the same time could not see a way of life without it. Dr. Peckard, who was the vice chancellor at Cambridge University, decided to challenge slavery by presenting an essay contest where contestants had to address Is it lawful to make slaves of others against their will? Thomas Clarkson, a former lower-ranking Latin prize writing contest winner, set out to win this essay. While Clarkson researched about slavery, he was astonished by what he was reading. Clarkson could barely fathom that the tales of slavery were actually true. After winning the essay contest, Clarkson decided that it was time for slavery to end. He decided that he wanted to publish his essay, but after finding out that a certain company only wanted to publish his work for a select group of people, Clarkson found help from a fellow Quaker friend who lead him to George Phillip’s printing shop on George Yard. The campaign that Clarkson and the fellow committee members took on was outstanding. The question left was, could this campaign take flight when Britons themselves did not have basic rights, but were fighting for the rights of others?

I really liked Hochschild’s point about how “disapproving of slavery was something very different from the belief that anything could ever be done about it.” This seemed to be the standpoint of many people at the time. Although people disapproved of slavery, they still realized that they were still so reliant on it. Because of their reliance, it would be unlikely to think that it would end. The comparison to a present day problem, in this case, global warming was an excellent analogy. Most people realize that global warming is a problem, but they also think at the same time, “it’s not like we can really do anything to change it because we are so dependent on driving.” There is recognition of the problem, but actions are not as likely to be taken.

Question from Ch.2&4 that is interesting

"As a reader, do you find it easier to get a full picture of slavery through a slave or from the perspective of a British sailor?"

I found this question to be extremely interesting. I would be curious to see how stories or images of slavery would change depending on who was telling the story. In order to get a better sense of what slavery actually "looked" and "felt" like, I think it would be important to read the story presented by a slave. Although I liked how Stephen was able to recognize the cruelty of slavery when he witnessed the execution of a few slaves when they were burned at the stake, I still think I would have been able to see the full picture clearer had more detail been given. I think the detail could have been provided through a slave because events like these affected their lives more than whites. Even though an execution could be an everyday occurence, whites were highly unlikely to respond to them in such a way that a slave would. Since slaves were actually experiencing the unsafe and horrible conditions, they would be able to help the reader really picture what they were saying.

Comments on Chapter 2 and 4-BTC

My attention was particularly drawn to the following quote, “Stephen’s horror was all the greater because he knew that he himself had benefited from slavery.” It’s slightly comforting to know that Stephen was disturbed by the conditions he saw slaves encountering. It was also shocking to see him acknowledging that he was one of the many whites benefiting from the work done by slaves and feeling sorry for them. Unfortunately, this slight recognition was still not enough to motivate him to make a change or take a stance against slavery right away. This quote reminded me of Newton and his experiences with divine intervention. It was interesting to see that Newton experienced conditions like those of the slaves, but still never felt compelled to help them later on. Despite several encounters in his lifetime, not once was he compelled by God to take a position against slavery. It would be one thing had he just been profiting from the slave trade the entire time, but he actually experienced the maltreatment like the slaves did. One would think after such an experience that he would be more willing to take a stance against slavery, but he didn’t.

Chapter 4 Summary-BTC

In Chapter 4, Hochschild introduces us to a traditional sugar plantation with slaves working in the fields while whites enjoyed their great luxurious houses overlooking their estates. We are then introduced to James Stephen, who falls in love with his friend’s sister, Nancy. Even though Stephen promised himself to Nancy, he also ended up falling in love with Nancy’s close friend, Maria. Understanding that his actions were wrong, he considered himself a sinner and promised to marry whoever could not find another husband to marry. After promising to do this, he sets off to the Caribbean where he witnesses a trial accusing four black slaves of murder. After being shocked when hearing that these men were guilty, he was more surprised to witness their execution-being burnt alive. Stephen began to feel even worse because he know that he had benefited from slavery himself. We are then brought to Codrington, a sugar plantation and mill where slaves faced unsafe and tiring work. It was not uncommon to hear of the many deaths of these workers. Since sugar was such an important crop and so many Britons profited from it, it isn’t uncommon to find them not willing to abolish slavery.

Chapter 2 Summary-BTC

In Chapter 2 of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains, Olaudah Equiano writes about his experiences with slavery as both a slave and “free” man. Equiano was raised in present day Nigeria with a father who even owned slaves himself. After being seized by a gang, Equiano found himself on a slave ship trying to survive the unsanitary, unsafe, and cruel conditions along with many other slaves. The conditions were so bad on these ships that it was not uncommon to find slaves preferring death over slavery. After not being sold in Barbados to work on a plantation, he became Lt. Pascal’s personal slave for several years. When Equiano gained the position of Royal Navy seaman, Pascal sold him to Robert King fearing that he no longer had the right to keep him as a slave. After being sold numerous times, Equiano found himself secretly trading to save up money to eventually buy his freedom. Later in time, “Equiano found himself on board a slave vessel once again, this time helping Irving selecting slaves to be field hands (39).”

Chapter 1 Summary-BTC

In Chapter 1 of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains, John Newton was an Englishman whose involvement in the slave trade started at a young age and was not always easy, but he eventually was able to make a profit. After falling in love with Mary Catlett before departing on a trip, Newton kept a diary of all of his experiences on different ships involved in the slave trade. Newton was able to see the horrid conditions that most slaves faced when they were on board, but never showed his sympathy towards them even during hard times of his own. It was not uncommon to find Newton punishing the slaves or crew members on his ship for their rebellious plots against him. His life could have ended at several times, yet he was lucky enough to always walk away from his voyages alive. Newton learned the tricks of the slave trade by relying on mortality rates, time of year, and profits. Despite all of his contact with slaves, he never thought to rise up against it. Instead, he only profited from it.

Summary of Introduction-BTC

In the Introduction of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains, the collaboration of a few citizens helped launch the anti-slavery movement that began in London which was going to change the lives of many. Although the printing shop where these men met does not have a plaque representing its historic value, the events that took place at 2 George Yard represent a great accomplishment. The anti-slavery movement was both an astonishing and historical movement in England because of its rapid rate of success as a result of the support from the British citizens. The outlaw of slavery became such a priority that citizens were even willing to sacrifice the economical growth of England by abolishing the slave trade in order to protect someone else’s rights. Although many thought slavery would never be outlawed, the actions of a few men proved to all that the efforts of a few people can really end up making a difference that will last a lifetime.