The Curius Researcher

This writing manual brings up several good points. I had never thought of a research paper really being a research report. In the past I am very guilty of finding as many sources as possible and skimming the information until I found something useful to support my thesis. The way I hope to change that is to start to put some emphasis on creating my own ideas rather than spitting back the words of someone else. The Curious Researcher brings up a solid approach of using a five week program leading up to a research due date. However, realistically this is not something i would ever be able to stick to. I am notorious for writing papers at the very very very last minute, usually right up until i leave for class. This is a terrible habit that I have never been able to shake. Maybe its because I haven't been passionate about any of the topics (asside from my high school senior project) that I have chosen in the past. As I was reading the Curious Researcher I soon realized that many of my writing flaws are similar to other college students. Or else there wouldn't be a book about it. This guide seems to take a unique approach and I will see if any of it gets through my thick skull!

Chapter 7- First Emancipation

Chapter 7 of Hochschild’s novel deals with the negotiations between the British and revolutionized Americans. The British had promised freedom to those slaves that left their masters to become part of the British army. However, once the war was lost by the British the Americans demanded that all their “property” be returned to the rightful owners. George Washington dealt with General Carleton over a proper settlement, one which would take many years. Finally, the ex-slaves were ordered to be either returned to their masters or the British would have to compensate. The living conditions, post war, were just as bad for the ex-slaves; as they waited to hear of their future. The lyrics sang by the ex-slaves as they boarded ships to surely go back into slavery stated that either way they would be in chains because they would surely go mad.

This chapter introduces yet another case of the whites being hypocritical. The British promised to free the slaves if they joined their army, but merely as a strategy to beat the colonies. Once the war ended they were put right back into slavery. There are many types of ways to put a person into “chains”. One can be arrested and put in jail, thrown on a plantation, put on a boat or even manipulated to the point of insanity. For the Africans it seemed as if there was no escape from inevitably being in some sort of chain. The question that arises is that aren’t certain groups still scrutinized and put in chains even in today’s society?

Chapter 6- Moral Steam Engine

In Chapter 6 of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains the biggest step for the antislavery movement occurs in 1783. Hochschild uses the analogy that abolishing slavery would be as difficult as convincing the world to stop using cars because of the harm it causes. Abolishing slavery at the time was viewed as an impossible dream. Thomas Clarkson’s essay was very influential for the movement and was the key peace of persuasive literature. With the help of 11 others, Clarkson was able to print his award winning essay and mass produce it for the public. His essay evolved as he learned more about the slave trade including traveling on the ships to get first hand information. Clarkson saw that those involved in the slave trade were so convinced that the Africans were born into slavery because of their skin color; that is was God’s plan. Clarkson influenced everyone he could, and eventually he and 11 others were able to print and finalize the essay at George Yard. The problem at the end of the chapter was that it is difficult to persuade legislation because 19 out of every 20 Britons couldn’t vote.

This chapter was interesting in that the evolution of planning and implementation of the persuasive literature was revealed. Clarkson initially wrote an essay to win an award, but upon further research he learned of the true life of slaves. Hochschild comments that this type of campaign was unprecedented. Clarkson was a true visionary; he was not only able to convince those against slavery but he even got them to join his cause. It was also interesting that the working conditions at George Yard were similar to that of a slave. The printing shop was unsanitary and the men all worked long hours. To truly understand a person’s struggle one must walk a mile in another’s shoes. The quote that I think brings up an interesting discussion is that of Aristotle, “humanity is divided into two: the masters and slaves”. Though thousands of years old how is it that this held true for so long, but then in a few short years that whole idea was abolished? Is it truly abolished today?

This is a legend of the most legendary franchise.

Chapter 4- Hochschild's Bury the Chains

The British West Indies was the center of business as explained in Chapter 4 of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains. The most important commodity of the 18th century of course was sugar. The whites that ruled this trade although profit making entrepreneurs, were themselves very uncivil. They ate like pigs and used slaves for every possible manual labor. One man that traveled to the Caribbean, James Stephen, spent most of his early days chasing women around until he came to the West Indies and experienced the horror first hand. He saw such corruption and mistreatment and it moved him to make a life change. He was brought to Codrington, one of the largest sugar plantations, and witnessed the toughest any slave would be put through. Cultivation sugar cane one of the hardest ways of life on earth. People were worked to death, and slave owners would just replace them as if they were a part in a running machine. The author ends the chapter by saying that the Church of England also benefited from slavery and did nothing to stop the injustice.

Chapter 2- Hochschild's Bury the Chains

In Chapter 2 of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains, the author tells the tale of a young curious man Olaudah Equiano. He was forced into slavery and then bought his way out, only to be put back in chains once again. While he was growing up in Africa he was used to people keeping POW’s as slaves; but once he was himself captured and sold as a slave he knew he would never return to his native village. Equiano described the cramped unsanitary voyages on the vessels. He has an eagerness to learn and became educated by various people he encountered, which later helped him gain his freedom. One famous rebellion occurred known as Tacky’s Rebellion was heard by Equiano, in which he realized that there was much uncertainty for his safety if he continued in the slave trade. In response, Equiano began to barter on his own and raise 70 pounds and bought his freedom. He spent much time wandering the Atlantic doing various jobs and meeting extraordinary people but he learn that no black man at this time is ever truly free.

Chapter 1 - Many Golden Dreams in Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild

In Chapter 1 of Adam Hochschild’s novel Bury the Chains the author describes the slave trade of the 18th century as comparative to the billionaires of the dot coms of the 21st century. This chapter follows the journey of a young man, John Newton, who sailed all around the Atlantic Ocean as part of a crew, as part of the army, and as the captain of a slave ship. Though he spent the majority of his time in this chapter at seas, his heart was back in England with his love and eventual wife, Mary Catlett. Newton was drawn to this job because he hoped for profits and more importantly it was seen as a position of power. Some of the most inflectional people of the time were slave traders; and because of stances today towards slavery their reputations are forever tarnished. Newton journeys consisted of sailing a triangle across the Atlantic Ocean; starting in England then to the African coast and then to the Americas. He traded different cargo at each location, much of his success came from his ability to barter with different individuals. At sea Newton became a very religious man after he repented for his life of sin; however, this did not stop him from acting cruelly towards his slaves and lower crew members. Newton accredits all the turning points in his life to divine intervention. Since God had not told him that his current profession is sinful, Newton sees nothing evil about it.

Introduction to Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild

The introduction of Adam Hochschild’s novel Bury the Chains details an gathering that took place in London over 200 years ago at 2 George Yard, yet is forgotten about today. This event was the beginning to the abolition of all types of slavery. The author explains that over ¾ of the population was in some type of slavery or bondage by the end of the 18th century. This was a result of slave trading being a widely used and legitimate form of business. Thomas Clarkson is introduced as the man responsible for the gathering at George Yard and known for traveling thousands of miles to preach his cause. John Newton is another character who was a slave ship captain, yet was a religious man. Olaudah Equiano is a slave who earned his freedom in this novel and was man who influenced many people to support the anti-slavery movement. Granville Sharp successfully returned African from being returned to slavery in the Americas. James Stephen escaped from London to the West Indies and witnessed the mistreatment of slaves. Hochschild continues to state that this movement that involved the aforementioned men was the first time in history that people became outraged over someone else’s rights. Today we are accustomed to people starting organizations to protest or boycott an event or substance; however, back in the 18th century this notion was unprecedented and thus very important. The introduction ends with a quote from Margaret Mead saying that one should “never doubt that a small group…can change the world”