Pages 324-354,65,66

In the final chapters of Hochschild’s “Bury the Chains” a sense of direction is given for the future of the anti slavery cause. Elizabeth Heyrick once said “truth and justice, make their best way in the world, when they appear in bold simple majesty” (325). She was against the slow implementation, she and many women organizations lobbied for abolishment now. During this lull, the women activists were the only people keeping the dream alive. John Smith, a missionary sent to the West Indies, began to stage another large violent rebellion. The result was fields littered with slaughtered slaves, and Smith was sent to execution, leaving a biblical quote to his legacy. Along with news of another revolt, James Stephen published a book describing slavery in the West Indies to its fullest extent. Another regime change occurred but this time the Duke of Clarence took the throne, and he was against everything Clarkson was for.

The percentage of active voting citizens continued to decrease, putting more power in the hands of fewer. There was talk of a lower and middle class upheaval, such as the French had done. Pro freedom groups and committees continued to form, and plantation owners were always in fear of a possible revolt. Pro slave traders had their backs against the wall. Missionaries were spreading across slave occupied land, spreading their beliefs. Revolts continued more frequently because many believed, “I know I shall die for it, but my children shall be free” (341). Punishments were issued for rebel slaves as well as any whites who assisted. As the Industrial Revolution developed the speed of information increased and word spread. The emancipation bill passed in 1833, but it was less glorious as many slave owners were paid compensation and the black still had to serve 4 years of “apprenticeship”. 276 years of slaves was over, in some British colonies. The chapter concludes with by stating all the famous legacies, such as Charles Darwin and Virginia Woolf, from those who initiated the abolitionist movement. Hochschild seems to mock faith in the last pages, saying that good legal strategy not religious belief lead to freedom.