Historiographical Essay

Historiographical Anthropology

[Name of the Writer]

[Name of the Institution]

Introduction

There could be seen many flaws and issues with histories of those countries that are being called as one of the most influential countries of the world at present, but when talked about American history, it could be seen that there were many problems with it, that forced people to leave American territory and move other nearby places. One of the major concerns that a person could easily find by taking a look at the American history is transatlantic abolition, slavery, and sex that not only fascinates people of that time but even today many people, especially students and scholars, shows great interest in this topic. By taking a look at American history, it has been observed that there is a significant role played by the British territory and people though this issue first arose in America. Being one of the most interesting topic and issue of history, there could be seen various authors and scholars who have written on these issues and have shared their perspectives regarding this issue. There could be different perspectives that different people may hold likewise it was seen that various perspectives have been given regarding this concern and people cannot be blamed for sharing their views. There could be various things that one could see and learn by taking a look at different written material that spots a light on the same topic or issue.

Discussion

Similarity

By taking a look at the two different texts, written by two different authors, it could be seen that maybe there exist various angles from which a topic could be seen. There are many essays that are being written by various writers on sex, slavery and transatlantic abolition, but by taking a look at two essays on the same topic written by Caleb McDaniel and Marc-William Palen, many similarities and differences could be found in both article. By taking a look at both the articles, it could be found that in both the articles America was blamed for promoting this social and ethical issue. It could be seen from the history that slavery was found in America and there started anti-slavery movements that were not supported well in American society but when the same kind of movements started in British society, it was seen that there were healthy impacts and slavery was discouraged on all levels.

Another similarity that could be observed in both the articles is that “slavery” has been discussed as the main topic that was addressed as the root cause of other moral and social issues. In both the articles, another thing that could be found as something common in both, was the think of people and their efforts, that were made for ending slavery and letting man free as it was his right to have a complete freedom of what he wants to do and what he does not want, as every individual is born as a free man, not as a slave. One of the main things that has been addressed in both the articles is that the British society has been credited for breaking the autonomy of the class who were ruling and were having slaves. Comparatively, a useful role was played by the transatlantic abolitionists and counterparts who were not ready to stay quite and tolerate this injustice by taking a look at the critical situation that the slaves used to had at that time. One more common thing that has been pointed out in both these articles, is newspaper that was the only active media source of that time. Newspaper played a significant role in spreading this movement to far off areas. In these articles, both the writers are trying to highlight the issues that were in the limelight at that time, as Americans were in favor of slavery but most of the British people were against slavery, and transatlantic abolition movement spread at comparatively greater speed in British society.

Differences

There have been many similarities as well as differences in both these articles. By critically viewing these articles, one could easily find many differences. As two different writers could have similarity in thinking, likewise a clash in thinking could also be found in their thinking. There could be witnessed differences in the perspectives of the two writers. Comparatively, Palen has discussed this issue from a religious and social perspective while in other article, McDaniel has discussed this issue more like a historical issue. In Palen’s essay, it could be witnessed that he has discussed this issue by introducing many modern concepts such as imperialism and capitalism, while McDaniel had not highlight such terminologies.

Another major difference, that could be seen in both articles, was the involvement of the government towards these issues. In McDaniel’s essay, it could be seen that American government is comparatively less engaged in this issue, but on the other hand, it could be seen that the British government remained loyal, heartfelt and showed more anti-slavery sentiments than American government. Victorian free- trade has been discussed by Palen as something that would help in making a state more prosperous and peaceful as free trade would need a free man, not the slaves. Both articles, also differ in having a foresight as from Palen's essay it could be seen that British people were more concerned with global change that they want to see everything as they talk about the free trade but on the other hand, Americans were more concerned with slaves and don’t want to set them free as the Americans wanted to follow the traditions and rituals that was inculcated in them by their society, where there was no conception of freedom of slaves. It has been seen that South was also at the side of Britain.

Another major difference is that in Palen's essay there could be seen the intervention and pieces of evidence of Marxism, but in McDaniel's essay particular, there are no shreds of evidence of the use of any theory. It could be seen that Palen's essay though highlights transatlantic abolition but it talks more from an economic perspective, so this essay involves theory of Marxism according to which, there are both “haves and have nots”. In McDaniel’s essay, it was seen that any Southern who aids a slave in escaping used to be punished at that time and that’s why Southern people were more on the side of Britain, who was more concernede with the moral and religious teachings when it comes to slavery and were more active for supporting anti-slavery movement, while in Palen's essay Southern was appreciated and supported for aiding the slave who wanted to escape. In Palen's essay, it could be observed that the leaders of the anti-slavery movement were also supporting the truly free market which depicted that free labors could add a lot in the progress of any country as free labors would be less expensive economically and would be more efficient as well when it comes to work.

Conclusion

As a whole, it could be concluded that different writers have given different perspectives regarding the same issues and people who are interested in history could read text written by various authors and scholars for broadening their knowledge about history and related issues. Though both the writers discussed various things and gave their point of views but mainly in both the essays, one of the leading American historical issues has been addressed.

End Notes:

Cobbs, Elizabeth, Edward Blum, and Jon Gjerde. Major Problems in American History. Vol. 2. Nelson Education, 2011.