How To Improve My Argument - Class Discussion

At this point, I have read all my sources and decided which parts of each to use in my paper, but I have not yet figured out how to incorporate these quotations into a cohesive argument.  I need to review my sources and determine the intended audience of the author.  A few of my sources were printed in British Periodicals in the mid 1800's and have very specific target audiences.  If I was not in the target audience, I need to be aware of this as to not let my emotions block the message from the author.  

To improve my paper, I also need to not only show how boycotts have failed, but equally prove that there have been successful boycotts.  Not all boycotts are failures.  Some of the sources I have read talk about successful boycotts, but I do not see the success in them and I want to explain why they are not necessarily "successful".  I need to express my own opinion about what creates a successful boycott and well as dictate what many critics think qualifies a boycott as successful.  

I can explain why I feel certain boycotts failed - what held them back?  Was the initiator to blame?  I need to show how such boycotts would have succeeded without changing their purpose.  

I need to relate the slave-grown sugar boycott from the 1700-1800s to a current problem.  One way I could do this is discuss the hate of dining hall food, but that our boycott cannot ever exist or be successful because we choose to eat bad food in order to keep a separate aspect of our lives on a high pedestal.

Also, I'd like to interview some people I know who have tried to boycott a certain restaurant in my hometown.  Their outlook may be drastically different from that of the restaurant owners'.  

Do people have cohesive reasonings for their boycotts?  

Kantz Article Annotations

p 40  -  "examine her sources as she read them for discrepant facts, conflicts, or other interesting material" - This was very clear and a good guide to helping me find a new, original, and cohesive argument for my essay.

p 41 - "every communicative situation has three parts: a speaker/writer (the encoder), and audience (the decoder), and a topic" - I think this is so important to keep in mind.  So frequently, our own voice is lost when we try to incorporate outside sources.  Also, we forget our target audience and this deters people from continuing to read if they do not understand what is being said.  Sometimes, even the topic of intent disappears unintentionally. 

p 43 - "a fact is a claim that an audience will accept as being true without requiring proof...An opinion is a claim that an audience will not accept as true without proof" - I hadn't really though about this in this sense before.  Even thought this is not the best explanation, it will help me decide how to argue or communicate each of my ideas.

Research Note

Article Title: "Politics"

Article Type: Review

Journal Title: "Critic of Literature, Art, Science, and the Drama"

Issue: 1:8 (1844:May) p 167

2 pgs / Monthly Publication / Published in London

http://britishperiodicals.chadwyck.com/articles/results.do?querytype=articles

Page 167

Article: "By giving to the West-India islands a monopoly of the home market for their sugars we, in fact, make the consumers in Great Britain pay somewhere about three millions annually for that commodity more than they would pay for it were they permitted to resort to other markets."

My Own: So are they saying the boycott isn't worth it?  Do they want us to forfeit what is right so we can afford things?  Since when did that matter?

Page 167

Article: "by taking the sugars of other countries we should be encouraging slavery.  To this it is replied, that in practice we do buy slave-grown sugar though not for the use of our own poor, but to send it abroad, partly for the use of the very emancipated negroes for whore sake it is pretended that the monopoly is maintained, and that we take slave-grown cotton and coffee in abundance, without any such scruples on conscience."

My Own: Are they making up reasons to justify the fact that they don't want to pay as much?  And to use slave-grown coffee and cotton too?  It's just absurd that they would exploit the abolition process just to save money.

Page 168

Article: "Mr. Laird...proposes to abolish the duties on colonial sugar, imposing merely a nominal one"

My Own: This makes so much more sense.  If the tax is flat, people will be encouraged to buy products that are not slave-grown.

Page 168

Article: "the price of sugar at home would fall"

My Own: What? Is this supposed to encourage them to not purchase slave-grown sugar?  It's about time!

Reflection - Response to Gallery

QUESTION #2

-A question that was suggested:  Did any failed boycotts lead to successful protests?

-How I will use it:  Well, I don’t currently know of any boycotts leading to protests, but I do know about boycotts leading to effective changes.  After so many slave-grown sugar boycotts allowed other countries to monopolize the industry, a law was passed in 1846 trying to rationalize this.  Obviously if people felt they were losing control, they would resort back to doing whatever necessary to make money, even if it meant hurting the slaves.  In 1846, it was decided that taxes on slave-grown sugar should equal the taxes on free-grown sugar.  This would remove the tension to be in the majority and therefore people would be able to go about their daily lives without worrying who or what would be affected by their purchases.

 

QUESTION #3

Combining Questions:

-Does the age of the boycott’s initiator relate to the successfulness of the boycott? Is there a consistent correlation between the ages?  (i.e., do younger people have a higher success rate than older people, or visa versa?) (created from “What about age groups?” and “What were the reasons behind failed boycotts?”)

-Are all boycotts classified as either successes or failures based on the impact on the economy? (created from “Focus on what major boycotts and what effect money had on the certain event.” And “What were some failed boycott and why did they not succeed n changing their movement?")

Essay - Using Materials

I am writing about the effectiveness of boycotts and I want to talk a lot about the slave-grown sugar boycott.  I'd like to explain that when the boycott started, while there were many people involved, there were still those who used the sugar.  Also, the hypocritical coffee houses (where people would meet to speak out against slavery) that supplied this sugar.  I'd then like to move on to the rival of the boycott with Elizabeth Heyrick and how she made it more widespread.  How she encouraged people not to support vendors who sold the sugar - regardless of where their other products were from.  Heyrick created a new awareness in people and helped bring about the change more quickly.

Summary pg 324-354/365-6

This section of pages begins as we are introduced to Elizabeth Heyrick, a woman who thought the men abolitionists were not active enough and took too long to initiate change.  Heyrick began a new boycott - attempting to eliminate all slave-grown products from the economy.  Her boycott was effective as women in support stopped buying slave-grown sugar and abandoned the vendors who sold it.  We then come to John Smith, a minister who taught slaves to read.  The members of his Church started planning a rebellion and when they were caught, everything was blamed on Smith.  

Next, we learn of the requirements to vote and that candidates for Parliament could only be chosen from very select groups meeting certain requirements.  The Agency Antislavery Committee was formed.  This group caused fear amongst slave owners because they thought another rebellion might occur.  A revolt began and this triggered more British voices hoping to eliminate slavery.  In 1833, the Bill passed Parliament - but this did not mean slavery was to end immediately.  In 1834, the slaves were to work full time for 6 years without pay.  Only after this was completed were they officially free.  In 1838, the were freed for good.  

Chapter 21 - Summary

In Chapter 21 of Bury The Chains by Adam Hochschild the abolitionists are still determined to eliminate the British slave trade despite the fact that the trade was helping the economy prosper.  We are then introduced to James Stephen who helped draft a bill trying to eliminate two thirds of the British slave trade - something which became a problem.  Finally, in 1806, the Bill passed and no one had any reason to disagree with it.  In 1807, a Bill passed eliminating the British slave trade in its entirety.  

Chapter 18 Summary

Chapter 18 of Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild begins with the slave revolt in St. Domingue - one of the largest revolts in history where the slaves rebelled against their white owners.  St. Domingue was the "largest single market for the Atlantic slave trade" (261).  The revolt spread as slaves began burning their owners' plantations.  Slaves would also travel to different Caribbean islands as stowaways or on small boats.  The divide was not just between slaves and owners, but some whites took different sides as well.  In 1793, it was ruled that slavery be ended in St. Domingue and in 1794, France became the first "European country to free all the slaves in its empire" (267).  It didn't even matter if British officers took over St. Domingue because the slaves were violent and could easily avoid them.  Toussaint L'Ouverture collect slaves to fight for their cause and finally drove out French and British forces.

Essay Lead - Anecdote/Question

There have been many boycotts throughout history including the Boston Tea Party and the discontinued use of slave-grown sugar.  But have these boycotts really accomplished anything? For short periods of time, these boycotts have proved points, but they have never been sustained over long periods of time and been wide spread.  Have there been boycotts specific to certain areas that have affected local groups?  Is it possible for a local boycott to spread over a country or even the world? Some boycotts have influenced us to think a certain way while others have angered us and turned us against something.  Boycotts are most often failures and unable to influence mass groups of people for an extended period of time.

Chapter 15 Summary

Unlike the previous chapters, Chapter 15 of Bury the Chains does not center around a specific person working towards the abolition of slavery in Britain, but on the resources used to spread the word and help towards a quicker abolition.  The roads were much better than roads elsewhere at the time which allowed for much quicker travel.  And with the introduction of "flying machines" or overnight travels, the efforts were accelerated.  Britain also had an impressive postal service that could deliver mail in record time.  The many newspapers helped to spread word and increase involvement.  Coffeehouses also played a large role in spreading the word.  Press was uncensored which allowed people to say absolutely anything about slavery without consequence.  Once the Britons experienced similar conditions, they began to empathize with the slaves and that when everyone began to fight for the single cause.

Essay Topic

A topic that I am interested in writing my essay about is the effectiveness of boycotts.  Of course, I know about famous boycotts that have occurred over the years (Boston Tea Party and the sugar boycott), but I am curious to research less famous examples.  Also, I would like to explore "local boycotts" where groups of people from a specific area have stopped using a particular product because it went against what someone believed in.  I don't know of any boycotts that have failed drastically or one's that have been ginormous enough to affect multiple countries.  I want to explore the success or lack there of of many different boycotts in different locations and against different things.

167-174 - 192-198 Summary

The first section discusses Equiano's book about his experience with slavery.  People had never read an account from a slave before so this seemed more "real" to them.  Equiano was very accomplished and was even his own publisher.  He began a book tour and rarely had time to spend with his wife.  The book helped show people that slaves were just like everyone else - they could be religious, they could read, and they could earn whatever they wanted.  Equiano's personal experience and amazing story encouraged people to join the cause.

The second section begins with the boycott of sugar and Parliament's rejection of the bill.  People started purchasing sugar from India because then it was not slave-grown.  Because sugar was a necessary ingredient in many foods and beverages, just this boycott decreased the consumption of other things as well.  The section shifts to a book written by Clarkson using graphic examples of slavery and how they were treated to influence people to join the boycott and abolitionist side.

Chapter 11 - Summary

Chapter 11 of Bury The Chains by Adam Hochschild begins with Wilberforce introducing an anti-slavery bid to parliament.  There were many debates between the abolitionists and those who were pro-slavery.  Clarkson found many witnesses to testify against slavery, but when looking for a worker on a slave ship, he failed.  Anyone with a job on a ship risked losing work forever by testifying.  Ultimately the abolitionists came into the lead as they found and released diagrams of slave ships filled to maximum capacity.  Marquis de Lafayette started an abolitionist group in France, which greatly aided the efforts in London.  If slavery was outlawed, people would move to Paris to continue the trade, but with this in Paris, their option was gone.  Wilberforce made his first presentation to parliament and strategically used words to explain that no one group in particular is to blame. He explained that the slave trade was not necessary for people to survive and that there were other ways to make money.  The chapter concludes with Ramsay's martyr, the bill postponed, and Lafayette appointed as Mayor of Paris.

Chapter 9

Like in chapter 8, I found the small anecdotes the most interesting rather than the chapter in its entirety.  I find it ironic that Clarkson was intimidated to ask Wilberforce for his contribution to the efforts.  Clarkson was so well known at the time and had accomplished so much, I am surprised he thought Wilberforce would not accept and join the cause.  Wilberforce agreed to help and wrote many anti-slavery articles that were published in newspapers.  While the articles were effective in Britain, not everyone could read them.  Slavery was occurring in other countries where people did not have access to these articles.  These articles were translated to multiple other languages so that everyone could be educated on the efforts of Wilberforce and Clarkson.  I am very impressed that the initiative was taken to spread the information.  They knew that to solve the problem of slavery, they had to tell everyone, regardless of language barriers.  Also I was impressed that "women could show their antislavery feelings at a time when the law barred them form voting..."  I think it is wonderful that women were allowed to voice their opinions too, but I am curious to know if they were harmed by people who did not find this practice acceptable.

Chapter 8 - Respect

While the chapter as a whole commented on many different aspects of the quest to abolish slavery, I would like to comment on a few points specifically.  First, I found it interesting how there was such a difference of writing style between the Quakers and the non-Quakers.  It is unfortunate that a difference in language hindered the ability to convey a message that regardless of dialect, affected everyone at the time.  And to have a non-Quaker sign the documents to encourage non-Quaker's to read it pathetic.  People should have listened to each other despite their differences and this could have helped stop slavery more quickly.  Because Granville Sharp (the non-Quaker) was signing the documents, he received full credit for the efforts, even though the Quakers were the real driving forces.  I also found this interesting - "any man - or woman - in a Quaker meeting could stand up and speak."  For this time period, allowing women to express their own ideas in a public forum was very radical.  I think the heart of this chapter is located in the fact that the Quakers were not respected as they should have been.  

Extra Credit - Intro

As he sat down with his piles of research to begin his essay, Thomas Clarkson had no idea the future his work would create for him.  Upon completing the essay, it took him many years to discover the shocking truth to what he had written - slavery was real.  Like the other figures, would Clarkson do nothing to stop the crime despite his strong beliefs?  Fortunately, Clarkson took action.  His essay unintentionally caused him to gain an interest in and try to abolish slavery.  Clarkson's ingenious essay allowed him to accelerate a long awaited process that may not have erupted for many more years.  Was Thomas Clarkson solely responsible for initiating the end to slavery?

Chapter 7 Summary + Comment

Summary

Chapter 7 of Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild begins at the beginning of the American Revolution.  The British promised freedom to any slave who escaped and joined the British Army.  This promise erupted into chaos after the war ended and ex-slaves were not immediately returned to their masters.  It wasn't until 1826, 44 years later, that former President George Washington's wish for compensation for each missing slave, was granted.  Every American slave owner (or heir)half the value for former slave.  We learn of a specific story about Boston King who fled to join the Army, was recaptured, and then fled again.  He managed to go unseen by guards and eventually stayed free for good.

Comment

I don't understand why such a promise would be made to slaves if Army officials knew it could not be kept.  Of course, they needed to provide an incentive to encourage slaves to escape, but officials knew it would cause more commotion amongst slave owners.  Did they not anticipate an argument?  Knowing the owners would be outraged and would want their slaves back, what did the Army officials plan to do with the dead slaves or those who escaped before being given back.  The whole situation seems not well planned.

Chapter 6 Summary + Comment

Summary

In Chapter 6 of Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild, we are reintroduced to the twelve men we met in the first chapter who met at 2 George Yard in 1787 to abolish slavery.  Hochschild reminds us again that while many people disapproved of slavery, the thought that something could be done to stop it was preposterous.  This story focuses on one man, Thomas Clarkson, who organized the group after publishing his award winning essay about the legality of forcing slaves to work against their will.  Clarkson had no intention of abolishing slavery, but always questioned if his research of how slaves were treated was true.  His essay was lengthened and then published at the printing press at 2 George Yard.  Clarkson's essay encouraged others to join his cause and eventually allowed them to achieve what was previously thought to be impossible.

Comment

On page 93, we are introduced to James Ramsay who, like Clarkson, also wrote a book but his was from eyewitness accounts while in the West Indies.  Ramsay had preached to slaves and taught them about the Bible on St. Kitts.  Like Equiano's story, I am confused - I thought slaves were forbidden from learning or attending religious services.  Did they attend without permission?  I feel like I am frequently led to believe that slaves had no options in life, but this book proves the opposite.  While their options were limited, they still had opportunities.

Olaudah

I was especially interested in the story of Olaudah Equiano.  It amazes me that he was treated so well when the other stories I've heard include slaves being treated harshly and not given the advantages of non-slaves. I also find it strange that in a family that owned slaves (Olaudah's father), members of said family were slaves themselves.  Olaudah's kidnapping interests me because after this point, we do not hear of his sister again.  What happened to his sister?  Was she treated similarly to Olaudah?  Were the two ever reunited?  I am also confused because when he refused to eat, he was beaten, but because he was so thin from not eating, he was not sold and had to be shipped to Virginia (from Barbados).  So he is scolded, and then indirectly rewarded (by not being sold) for the same crime?  Olaudah became friends with different officers and with this trust, different people taught him to read and write - an opportunity rarely given to slaves.  What made him so different that people were willing to treat him that way?  I feel like Olaudah's story is too good to be true and I would like to know more about his life as well as other slaves who were treated with such generosity.

Ch. 2/4 Specific Topics

In Chapter Two of  Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild, we are introduced to Olaudah Equiano.  Olaudah was kidnapped and then sold to a slave dealer.  We follow Olaudah's journey as he is sold to different masters, but remains optimistic in all situations.  He frequently became friends with his owners and he learned how to read and write - something uncommon for most slaves.  We follow Olaudah until he finally manages to escape captivity and return home, but his travels are not pleasant and although he was treated better than other slaves, he was by no means happy.  In Chapter Four, we see a different kind of captivity.  James Stephen was in love with Nancy, but her parents forbade them to see each other so he (like slaves) had limited abilities.  Stephen had the ability to return to school because of his family's wealth from slavery and knew this was a beneficial industry for him.  Stephen escaped a difficult love-triangle in the secrets he kept from Nancy about his love (Maria) and his illegitimate child.  We are next introduced to the Codrington plantation which also treats slaves badly.  Very few slaves at Codrington managed to avoid work and running away made one subject to death.  From all of the stories in these chapters, there is a common topic of escape and the consequential reinvention of oneself after being freed from the hardships of a previous life.

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter One of Bury the Chains by Adam Hochschild follows John Newton’s ascent up the power ladder.  Newton was originally nothing more than a captive, but he managed to become the captain of a slave trading ship.  At first he was very disobedient as he was taken away from his love, but with each advance in power, he was more inclined to follow rules as well as set his own.  He saw every problem as a learning opportunity and through these, he found God as his savior.  Newton knew slave trade would be advantageous to him and make him wealthy so he continued to participate in this industry.  As Captain, he paid close attention to all details of his journey and kept journals of his travels.  

Intro Summary

In the Introduction to Adam Hochschild’s Bury the Chains the scene is set for the meeting to abolish slavery.  We are introduced to the twelve men who attended this first meeting in 1787.  For the first time, people fought for someone else’s rights in hope of achieving change.  Just five years after this initial meeting, the first law banning slave trade was enacted.