Creating a Research Question
As part of future research work, the study of the issue of slavery and its abolition in the early nineteenth century was chosen. Personal assumptions, beliefs, and values played a unique role in this process. Hence, I believe that slavery was one of the most challenging and pernicious moments in the history of the United States. Moreover, the study of this issue provides awareness of the negative impact of discrimination and neglect of cultures, races, and nationalities on society.
Because personal opinion is of great importance in choosing the topic of work, it can also affect the approach to studying it. In other words, this circumstance may cause the involvement of bias. In relation to current events, the significance of this historical research is to provide an understanding of the harmfulness of discrimination against people and the value of respect and protection of human rights. Consequently, the research question will be, “What effectiveness did the 1807 Bill have in the fight against slavery and the contribution it had to the further fight against the issue?”
To finalize this issue, a thorough study of literary sources was conducted, and the primary outcomes and disadvantages of the fight against slavery in the early nineteenth century in the United States were highlighted. To collect the necessary information, primary and secondary sources of authors such as Burin’s “The lave Trade Act of 1819: A new look at colonization and the politics of slavery,” Finkelman’s “Slavery and the founders: race and liberty in the age of Jefferson,” Frost “Quaker antislavery: From dissidence to sense were used of the meeting.” In addition, “Human rights and history” by Martinez and “Slavery and the Enlightenment in the British Atlantic” by Roberts were implemented. These scientific papers strengthened the focus of the issue, as they focused on the examined issue of slavery.
Building Context to Address Questions
The historical event that influenced the current event is the creation and application of the 1807 Bill, which was intended to combat slavery. It contributed to help in telling the story of what was happening at the time, as it provided a struggle to find ways to grant people their rights and equality. The central historical figures who participated in these events were Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Aaron Burr (Finkelman, 2014). They were the New York Manumission Society members and supported the freedom bill. Their main motivation was to grant freedom and rights to people who were in slavery. Their participation in this historical event was their indifference to the problem.
Examining How Bias Impacts Narrative
In the course of the study, various narratives regarding historical events were studied, most of which were devoid of bias; that is, personal values and beliefs were not contradicted by the conduct of scientific work and were not influenced by what is known or unknown about history. The most influential work was by Martinez, in which the author explored the history of the formation and strengthening of human rights in history (Martinez, 2012). Potentially biased sources may prevent the acquisition of reliable information when studying the selected historical event. I believe that the opinions of slaves are not so much covered in many sources, which limits the acquisition of a complete picture of what is happening.
Connecting the Past with the Present
Researching historical roots helped me improve my understanding of the current event and the need to limit discrimination and strengthen people’s rights. Moreover, it assisted in comprehending its origins, as it provided a more valuable insight into the problem. Questioning my assumptions, beliefs, and values benefited me as an individual, as it contributed to limiting bias. Therefore, it is valuable to be aware of these aspects when encountering information in personal, academic, and professional life, as it allows you to look at things more objectively. Being a more historically informed citizen may help me understand contemporary issues, as it provides awareness of the results of society’s past experiences. Moreover, it can form a more conscious approach to viewing current challenges or questions in the world.
References
Burin, E. (2012). The Slave Trade Act of 1819: A new look at colonization and the politics of slavery. American Nineteenth Century History, 13(1).
Finkelman, P. (2014). Slavery and the founders: Race and liberty in the age of Jefferson. Routledge.
Frost, J. W. (2012). Quaker antislavery: From dissidence to sense of the meeting. Quaker History, 101(1), 12-33.
Martinez, J.S. (2012). Human rights and history. Harvard Law Review Forum, 126, 221.
Roberts, J. (2013). Slavery and the Enlightenment in the British Atlantic, 1750-1807. Cambridge UP.