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?