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Two impressive studies have reexamined Eric Williams’ conclusion that
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Updated on: 11 Sep 2019, 06:18
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New Project RC Butler 2019 - Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday Passage # 289, Date : 25-Aug-2019 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019. Click here for Details
Two impressive studies have reexamined Eric Williams’ conclusion that Britain’s abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and its emancipation of slaves in its colonies in 1834 were driven primarily by economic (5) rather than humanitarian motives. Blighted by depleted soil, indebtedness, and the inefficiency of coerced labor, these colonies, according to Williams, had by 1807 become an impediment to British economic progress.
(10) Seymour Drescher provides a more balanced view. Rejecting interpretations based either on economic interest or the moral vision of abolitionists, Drescher has reconstructed the populist characteristics of British abolitionism, which appears to have cut across lines of (15) class, party, and religion. Noting that between 1780 and 1830 antislavery petitions outnumbered those on any other issue, including parliamentary reform, Drescher concludes that such support cannot be explained by economic interest alone, especially when (20) much of it came from the unenfranchised masses. Yet, aside from demonstrating that such support must have resulted at least in part from widespread literacy and a tradition of political activism, Drescher does not finally explain how England, a nation deeply divided by class (25) struggles, could mobilize popular support for antislavery measures proposed by otherwise conservative politicians in the House of Lords and approved there with little dissent.
David Eltis’ answer to that question actually (30) supports some of Williams’ insights. Eschewing Drescher’s idealization of British traditions of liberty, Eltis points to continuing use of low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to ensure the industriousness of (35) British workers. Indeed, certain notables even called for the enslavement of unemployed laborers who roamed the British countryside—an acceptance of coerced labor that Eltis attributes to a preindustrial desire to keep labor costs low and exports competitive. (40) By the late eighteenth century, however, a growing home market began to alert capitalists to the importance of “want creation” and to incentives such as higher wages as a means of increasing both worker productivity and the number of consumers. (45) Significantly, it was products grown by slaves, such as sugar, coffee, and tobacco, that stimulated new wants at all levels of British society and were the forerunners of products intended in modern capitalist societies to satisfy what Eltis describes as “nonsubsistence or (50) psychological needs.” Eltis concludes that in an economy that had begun to rely on voluntary labor to satisfy such needs, forced labor necessarily began to appear both inappropriate and counterproductive to employers. Eltis thus concludes that, while Williams (55) may well have underestimated the economic viability of the British colonies employing forced labor in the early 1800s, his insight into the economic motives for abolition was partly accurate. British leaders became committed to colonial labor reform only when they (60) became convinced, for reasons other than those cited by Williams, that free labor was more beneficial to the imperial economy.
1. Which one of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?
(A) Although they disagree about the degree to which economic motives influenced Britain’s abolition of slavery, Drescher and Eltis both concede that moral persuasion by abolitionists was a significant factor. (B) Although both Drescher and Eltis have questioned Williams’ analysis of the motivation behind Britain’s abolition of slavery, there is support for part of Williams’ conclusion. (C) Because he has taken into account the populist characteristics of British abolitionism, Drescher’s explanation of what motivated Britain’s abolition of slavery is finally more persuasive than that of Eltis. (D) Neither Eltis nor Drescher has succeeded in explaining why support for Britain’s abolition of slavery appears to have cut across lines of party, class, and religion. (E) Although flawed in certain respects, Williams’ conclusions regarding the economic condition of British slave colonies early in the nineteenth century have been largely vindicated.
2. It can be inferred that Eltis cites the views of “certain notables” (line 35) in order to
(A) support the claim that British traditions of liberty were not as strong as Drescher believed them to be (B) support the contention that a strong labor force was important to Britain’s economy (C) emphasize the importance of slavery as an institution in preindustrial Britain (D) indicate that the laboring classes provided little support for the abolition of slavery (E) establish that laborers in preindustrial Britain had few civil rights
3. Which one of the following best states Williams’ view of the primary reason for Britain’s abolition of the slave trade and the emancipation of slaves in its colonies?
(A) British populism appealed to people of varied classes, parties, and religions. (B) Both capitalists and workers in Britain accepted the moral precepts of abolitionists. (C) Forced labor in the colonies could not produce enough goods to satisfy British consumers. (D) The operation of colonies based on forced labor was no longer economically advantageous. (E) British workers became convinced that forced labor in the colonies prevented paid workers from receiving higher wages.
4. According to Eltis, low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws in Britain in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were intended to
(A) protect laborers against unscrupulous employment practices (B) counter the move to enslave unemployed laborers (C) ensure a cheap and productive work force (D) ensure that the work force experienced no unemployment (E) ensure that products produced in British colonies employing forced labor could compete effectively with those produced in Britain
6. The information in the passage suggests that Eltis and Drescher agree that
(A) people of all classes in Britain supported the abolition of slavery (B) the motives behind Britain’s abolition of slavery were primarily economic (C) the moral vision of abolitionists played a vital part in Britain’s abolition of slavery (D) British traditions of liberty have been idealized by historians (E) Britain’s tradition of political activism was primarily responsible for Britain’s abolition of slavery
7. According to the passage, Eltis argues against which one of the following contentions?
(A) Popular support for antislavery measures existed in Britain in the early nineteenth century. (B) In the early nineteenth century, colonies that employed forced labor were still economically viable. (C) British views concerning personal liberty motivated nineteenth-century British opposition to slavery. (D) Widespread literacy in Britain contributed to public opposition to slavery in the early nineteenth century. (E) Antislavery measures proposed by conservative politicians in the early nineteenth century met with little opposition
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26 Aug 2019, 21:28
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Explanation
3. Which one of the following best states Williams’ view of the primary reason for Britain’s abolition of the slave trade and the emancipation of slaves in its colonies?
Explanation
Lines 5-9 provide Williams’ thinking about why the British abolished slavery: the colonies, with their slave labor system, were “an impediment to British economic progress.”
(A) Drescher, not Williams, emphasizes the importance of populism as an explanation for the demise of British slavery.
(B) Neither Williams, Drescher, nor Eltis emphasizes the “moral” influence of abolitionists.
(C) Eltis, not Williams, discusses production rates and consumer wants in the context of the demise of British slavery.
(E) is outside the scope of the passage. There’s no mention of the specific views of British laborers.
Answer: D
6. The information in the passage suggests that Eltis and Drescher agree that
Explanation
Lines 15-28 reveal that Drescher believes that opposition to slavery among the British was broad-based. That Eltis also believes that opposition to slavery was broad-based can be inferred from his research emphasis, which shows that the British elite moved away from supporting the slave system because the British consumer wanted to obtain more and better goods.
(B) Drescher argues that the primary motive for abolishing slavery was ideological rather than economic.
(C) Neither Drescher nor Eltis refers to the “moral vision of abolitionists” as an important cause of the demise of slavery.
(D) The author claims that Drescher has idealized “British traditions of liberty.” Drescher’s and Eltis’ views on how historians have dealt with British traditions of liberty—if they have views on this issue—are not mentioned in the passage.
(E) This view is endorsed by Drescher, but not by Eltis.
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26 Aug 2019, 21:40
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Passage Map
Topic and Scope:
Eric Williams’ conclusion about why the British abolished slavery; specifically, two competing views of Williams’ conclusion about why the British abolished slavery.
Purpose and Main Idea:
The author’s purpose is to describe two competing views of Williams’ conclusion about why the British abolished slavery; his specific main idea is that Williams’ conclusion is partly accurate, despite the fact that both Seymour Drescher and David Eltis take issue with it.
Paragraph Structure:
Para 1 provides Williams’ view, which is that the British abolished slavery primarily for economic reasons.
Para 2 provides Drescher’s dissenting view, which emphasizes British populism as the primary cause for the demise of British slavery.
Finally, Para 3 provides Eltis’ view, which also emphasizes economics as the primary cause behind the end of British slavery. However, while Williams emphasizes the economic decline of Britain’s colonies as the principal motivation for doing away with slavery, Eltis emphasizes the newfound importance of free labor as the principal motivation for getting rid of slavery.
Hello guptaaditi994 after reading this passage map try this question once more and let me know which question(s) you have got wrong.
Good Luck
guptaaditi994 wrote:
can you provide detailed explanations for these questions?
Re: Two impressive studies have reexamined Eric Williams’ conclusion that
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27 Aug 2019, 05:34
Explanation
2. It can be inferred that Eltis cites the views of “certain notables” (line 35) in order to
Explanation
Eltis refers to the desire of certain notables to enslave unemployed laborers in order to point out that, contrary to Drescher’s belief, the British did not abolish slavery for reasons of principle. The British, in Eltis’ view, made decisions based on economic interests. Slavery was abolished when it proved to be harmful to the state’s economic interests.
(B), (C), and (E) fall outside the scope of the passage. The text deals with explanations for the demise of British slavery. It’s not about the importance of the labor force to the British economy (B); the importance of slavery as an institution in pre-industrial Great Britain (C); or the civil rights of laborers in pre-industrial Great Britain (E).
(D) Why would Eltis cite the views of notables to highlight the perspective of the working class?
Answer: A
4. According to Eltis, low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws in Britain in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were intended to
Explanation
Lines 32-35 say that low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws in pre-industrial Great Britain were intended “to ensure the industriousness of British workers” (lines 34-35). Choice (C) is an accurate paraphrase of this sentiment.
(A), (B) Low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws were certainly not intended to help laborers. Just the reverse, in fact. They were intended to benefit employers.
(D) and (E) fall outside the scope of the passage. The text doesn’t discuss either unemployment per se, (D), or economic competition between Great Britain and its colonies, (E).
The best way to handle “explicit text” questions is to go back to the passage and reread the relevant lines. Don’t answer on a hunch or vague recollection of the text. Doing so is a recipe for losing an easy point.
Re: Two impressive studies have reexamined Eric Williams’ conclusion that
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11 Sep 2019, 02:22
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Hi everyone, Took 16:15 minutes and got 5/7 correct. Took 4:15 minutes to read, write down paragraphs' summaries ad main point
P1
2 studies are mentioned. These 2 studies go against W' belief according to which only economic drivers were responsible for abolition and emancipation
P2
Sd's study is presented and its reasoning is explained BUT the study can't explain the support coming from the conservatives at the House of Lords
Takeway: the author favors this study over William's
P3
Eltis study is presented along with its reasoning. He identifies two key elements: low wages and DV laws as the core of industriousness and the advent of capitalism. Eltis partially agrees with williams and rejects some of D's ideas.
MP: To explain through studies which are the reasons for the abolition of slavery and emancipation
1. Which one of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?
Pre-thinking: Refer to main point above
(A) Although they disagree about the degree to which economic motives influenced Britain’s abolition of slavery, Drescher and Eltis both concede that moral persuasion by abolitionists was a significant factor. Opposite. Eltis does not agree on this with D. Hence incorrect
(B) Although both Drescher and Eltis have questioned Williams’ analysis of the motivation behind Britain’s abolition of slavery, there is support for part of Williams’ conclusion. This seems correct and broad enough. Hence correct
(C) Because he has taken into account the populist characteristics of British abolitionism, Drescher’s explanation of what motivated Britain’s abolition of slavery is finally more persuasive than that of Eltis. No such comparison is made throughout the passage. Hence incorrect
(D) Neither Eltis nor Drescher has succeeded in explaining why support for Britain’s abolition of slavery appears to have cut across lines of party, class, and religion. Incorrect and certainly not the purpose of the passage. Hence incorrect
(E) Although flawed in certain respects, Williams’ conclusions regarding the economic condition of British slave colonies early in the nineteenth century have been largely vindicated. inconsistent because of largely vindicated. Hence incorrect
3. Which one of the following best states Williams’ view of the primary reason for Britain’s abolition of the slave trade and the emancipation of slaves in its colonies?
Pre-thinking: " Blighted by depleted soil, indebtedness, and the inefficiency of coerced labor, these colonies, according to Williams, had by 1807 become an impediment to British economic progress."
(A) British populism appealed to people of varied classes, parties, and religions. Out of context here. Hence incorrect
(B) Both capitalists and workers in Britain accepted the moral precepts of abolitionists. they didn't accept the moral preps probably. Their reasons were economic.Hence incorrect
(C) Forced labor in the colonies could not produce enough goods to satisfy British consumers. Never mentioned. Hence incorrect
(D) The operation of colonies based on forced labor was no longer economically advantageous. In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct
(E) British workers became convinced that forced labor in the colonies prevented paid workers from receiving higher wages. completely out of scope. Hence incorrect. The reason was that people were more productive if they had incentives.
4. According to Eltis, low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws in Britain in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were intended to
Pre-thinking: "Eltis points to continuing use of low wages and Draconian vagrancy laws in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to ensure the industriousness of (35) British workers."
(A) protect laborers against unscrupulous employment practices out of scope. Hence incorrect
(B) counter the move to enslave unemployed laborers Never mentioned. Hence incorrect
(C) ensure a cheap and productive work force In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct
(D) ensure that the work force experienced no unemployment Never mentioned. Hence incorrect
(E) ensure that products produced in British colonies employing forced labor could compete effectively with those produced in Britain Never mentioned. Hence incorrect
5. It can be inferred that the author of the passage views Drescher’s presentation of British traditions concerning liberty as
Pre-thinking: "Drescher does not finally explain how England, a nation deeply divided by class (25) struggles, could mobilize popular support for antislavery measures proposed by otherwise conservative politicians in the House of Lords and approved there with little dissent."
(A) accurately stated Not mentioned. Hence incorrect
(B) somewhat unrealistic I line with pre-thinking. Hence correct
(C) carefully researched Never mentioned. Hence incorrect
(D) unnecessarily tentative Out of scope. Hence incorrect
(E) superficially convincing Out of scope. Hence incorrect
6. The information in the passage suggests that Eltis and Drescher agree that
Pre-thinking: This question might be tricky to answer. Refer to these lines
"Significantly, it was products grown by slaves, such as sugar, coffee, and tobacco, that stimulated new wants at all levels of British society and were the forerunners of products intended in modern capitalist societies to satisfy what Eltis describes as “nonsubsistence or (50) psychological needs.” Eltis concludes that in an economy that had begun to rely on voluntary labor to satisfy such needs, forced labor necessarily began to appear both inappropriate and counterproductive to employers.
The reasoning here is that all classes want those products and those products are better produced if the labor is volountary
Drescher idea is clearly mentioned in P2 on the other hand
(A) people of all classes in Britain supported the abolition of slavery In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct
(B) the motives behind Britain’s abolition of slavery were primarily economic Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect
(C) the moral vision of abolitionists played a vital part in Britain’s abolition of slavery Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect
(D) British traditions of liberty have been idealized by historians Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect
(E) Britain’s tradition of political activism was primarily responsible for Britain’s abolition of slavery Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect
Note that in the other answers one of them agrees and the other disagrees or both of them disagree.
7. According to the passage, Eltis argues against which one of the following contentions?
Pre-thinking: Let's analyze the answer choices
(A) Popular support for antislavery measures existed in Britain in the early nineteenth century. He agrees
(B) In the early nineteenth century, colonies that employed forced labor were still economically viable. He doesn't argue against this one. He states that the highest productivity was associated with voluntary labor
(C) British views concerning personal liberty motivated nineteenth-century British opposition to slavery. Personal liberty was not the real reason. the real reason is that voluntary labor was more productive than coerced labor. Refer to the last lines. Hence correct
(D) Widespread literacy in Britain contributed to public opposition to slavery in the early nineteenth century. He agrees. Hence incorrect
(E) Antislavery measures proposed by conservative politicians in the early nineteenth century met with little opposition He probably agrees. hence incorrect
5. It can be inferred that the author of the passage views Drescher’s presentation of British traditions concerning liberty as
Difficulty Level: 650
Explanation
In line 31, the author notes that Drescher’s presentation of British traditions concerning liberty is “idealized,” or romanticized. The phrase “somewhat unrealistic” reflects this characterization.
(A), (C) Accurately stated (A) and carefully researched (C) wrongly suggest that the author believes that Drescher’s presentation is right on.
(D), (E) Unnecessarily tentative (D) and superficially convincing (E), while less positive in tone than choices (A) and (C), are still not critical enough to reflect the author’s true point of view.
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