Question

making predictions

1. why might william wilberforce have proposed resolutions respecting the slave trade in his speech to parliament in 1789?
2. why might wilberforces speech to parliament be an important historical document during the enlightenment period? how might this document help historians better understand this time period?
3. the source titled resolutions respecting the slave trade is derived from wilberforces abolition speech to parliament in 1789. resolutions are decisions to do or to not do something. based on what you know of this document so far, what is wilberforce trying to make the british parliament do?

william wilberforces abolition speech, 1789
excerpt 1
1 \i determine to forget all my other fears, and i march forward with a firmer step in the full assurance that my cause will bear me out, and that i shall be able to justify upon the clearest principles, every resolution in my hand, the avowed end of which is, the total abolition of the slave trade.\
according to line 1, what fears do you think wilberforce is experiencing?
2
3
4
5
6
7
according to lines 4 - 7, what does wilberforce hope to achieve?

Explanation:

1. Wilberforce likely proposed the resolutions to address the moral - wrongness of the slave trade and gain support for its abolition. The Enlightenment values of liberty and equality were prominent during this time, and the slave trade violated these principles.
2. His speech is important as it reflects the social and moral concerns of the Enlightenment period. It shows the growing opposition to the slave trade and can help historians understand the political and ideological debates of the time.
3. Wilberforce is trying to make the British Parliament pass resolutions that would lead to the total abolition of the slave trade.

For the excerpt:

• According to line 1, Wilberforce might be experiencing fears related to the opposition he could face in his fight against the slave - trade, but he is determined to overcome them.
• According to lines 4 - 7, Wilberforce hopes to achieve the total abolition of the slave trade, justifying his actions on the clearest principles.

Answer:

1. To oppose the immoral slave - trade and gain support for its abolition in line with Enlightenment values.
2. Reflects Enlightenment concerns and shows opposition to the slave trade; helps understand political and ideological debates.
3. Pass resolutions for the total abolition of the slave trade.

For the excerpt:

• Fears of opposition in his fight against the slave - trade.
• Total abolition of the slave trade.