Louis XIV Raft

March, 17, 1686

 

 

The Removal of Louis XIV

Petition

 

 

As a Wealthy and honorable man of the French upper class and as a proud Huegnot, I speak on the behalf of all persecuted Protestants when I say the injustice will no longer be tolerated. We have been unrightfully harassed and tormented by the government and I will not stand idly by.  The Edict of Nantes, a document that allowed Huguenots to live without fear and oppression, stripped from us by Louis XIV in 1685 (1). Without this imperative manuscript of our rights, we are deprived of privileges such as the ability to practice our religion, have tolerance towards it, and the right to our own cities and towns. Furthermore the anti-Huguenot campaign Louis has been running in attempt to rid France of us, is an utter threat to protestant society. The king has done such things as attack and destroy the defenses of Huguenot cities and has abolished our armies (2). These multiple reasons all amass to the change that is so desperately needed for the Protestants and France.  

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Source: "Edict of Nantes (1598)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 17 Dec. 2010.

(2) Chapter 17, Rebuilding France – World History textbook

Remembering Salem

In the winter of 1691 a disease ran through the town of Salem, Massachusetts like wildfire; the disease was an obsession with witches. That winter two girls fell inexplicably ill, soon after three more girls began feeling the same pinching, prickling and knifelike sensations and pains. From what doctors could tell there was no explanation, except for witchcraft. From that point on, it would be a crazy game of pointing fingers to figure out who the "witches" were. In all of the chaos, twenty people were convicted and killed and over a hundred jailed.

Why were so may killed and put in jail though? The reasoning is not completely clear but there are speculations to why. One cause to why, is that one of the influential leaders, Cotton Mather, supported the idea that witchcraft existed. In a documented speech from 1689 Cotton Mather argues why witches exist, saying "Those who deny it (witchcraft) exists argue that they never saw any witches, therefore there are none. That would be as if you or I said 'we never met any robbers, therefore there are none' ". Another cause is the feud between Salem village and Salem town that was intensified during that time period. During that time period Salem village started paying taxes to Salem Town causing obvious discontent. A map "The geography of Witchcraft Salem Village, 1692"  depicts the areas that were primarily accusers (Salem Village)  and the areas that consisted mostly of the accused  (Salem Town). These reason help in understanding how such a thing is possible.


Apologies and Remembrances

The Salem Award Foundation is dedicated to the remembrance of the Salem witch trials and translates the unfair persecutions that were done into modern day lessons of tolerance. One of the ways they have  memorialized the victims is with stones and plantings that represent the social indifference to what happened. The memorial is partially enclosed by three granite walls with inscribed protests of innocence by the victims. This memorial is a great indication on how past persecutions and suffering can enlighten us in modern day.

Modern Slavery

http://samfurman.com/modern-slavery-and-the-9-to-5-workforce/

Modern Day Slavery

 Modern Day Slavery

A problem never solved

There are approximately 27 million people enslaved across the world today even though slavery is illegal everywhere. Although slavery became officially illegal by the United Nations in December 2, 1949; it is still a prominent problem everywhere and has the highest number of people in it today than ever before. One theory to why there is so many people involved and trafficked is because of the cheap cost for slaves. The average price for a slave worldwide today is $90, which only about 200 hundred years ago was 40,000. With the low value of these people it is easier for a slave owner to buy more slaves than take care of the ones he already owns. Because of this "disposable slave" concept, it is causing more and more people to be brought in the trade and more to be mistreated.

Does it still exist in the U.S

 

Although slavery was ended in the U.S over a hundred years ago it still happens today. All 50 states in the U.S.A have reported slavery and close to 14,500 more people are enslaved in the U.S every year. One place that has been especially know for exploitation and slavery is Florida. Over the years there has been numerous accounts where people came into the country illegally and then were taken advantage of, on farms and labor positions. The accounts of slavery in this country are far and wide but seem to be largely unnoticed by the public.   Slavery takes many shapes and forms, so many people do not even realize it, when it happens close to them. 

Forms of Slavery

 

The slave trade today has a market value over $32 billion and like all profitable markets it has a variety of services it operates. The largest percentage of slaves work in agriculture but many are also involved in domestic work, prostitution, manufacturing, construction and more. The people involved in the trade consist of businesses, private owners, and organized crime;the trade is the third largest criminal activity in the world.

 

 

 



 

 

What has changed

Around 200 years ago in America, 1/8 of the population was slaves and about only .003% of the world population is slaves today. There are on going efforts all over the world to end trafficking. In Cambodia there has been an increased awareness to what is happening and through training and teaching local authority there has been a large affect. With the help of IJM slavery has dropped 70% in only two years in Cambodia.

 

 

 

 

Helsa's story

Helsa grew up in a poor Philippian village where both her parents died when she was young. After her mother passed away she lived with her grandmother who would eventually soon die too. Helsa was losed on where to go and was taken in by the neighbors with out a choice. The people that took her in thought of Helsa as property because she had no family left. As years of being mistreated passed she finally decided to run away. Once Helsa ran away she was eventually brought back into to slavery by another family but released when they decided she was no longer needed. Helsa would go on to have a family, yet her troubles were still not behind her. One night men broke into her house and took her husband away. She was not able to support her children so she had to sell them into slavery.

 

 

 

Things you can do

Some simple things you can do to help stop slavery for once and all is make others aware of what is happening around you. You can also help by reporting trafficking to authorities.

 

 

Slave Ship

Slave Trade Ship

 

                The story being told is about a wealthy and successful slave merchant who knew the trade well and supported it. Merchant Robert Norris was a frequent writer about the slave trade. He wrote A Short Account of the African Slave Trade in 1788 and wrote other works too. Norris supported the slave trade and believed that Africans were too dumb to live regularly within society and though they fit to forced labor. Norris testified that slave trade was humane to slaves and had them kept in ventilated and clean quarters that also had games and activities for them. His testimony was completely false though, proven by various deaths caused form mistreatment and revolts. Norris was an accepted trader for London and was extremely powerful and connected in England and the Slave trade. Norris lastly was renowned in the trade as very knowledgeable and gave advice to others on what slaves were good to sell and how to treat them.

                The evidence for turmoil and resistance in Norris’ ships were brought to light when John Dragge reported many sickly slaves and deaths of varying diseases. A record from Norris was also found. This record talked about the constant revolts on the ship and the way the crew and Norris dealt with the situation. Norris killed many of the slaves revolting or punished them with lashings.

 

                I learned that the slave trade was a huge business and was accepted by everyone as a main part of the world economy. I did not realize how much merchants like Norris would lie and cover up what they were doing to the slaves. It was interesting how connected Norris was and how dependent London and all of England was on him trading slaves and making profit. Finally I never knew there were so many countries involved with the trade.