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.