"Wilberforce 1789 Abolition Speech"

Question

by William Wilberforce

When I consider the magnitude of the subject which I am to bring before the House—a subject, in which the interests, not of this country, nor of Europe alone, but of the whole world, and of posterity, are involved: and when I think, at the same time, on the weakness of the advocate who has undertaken this great cause—when these reflections press upon my mind, it is impossible for me not to feel both terrified and concerned at my own inadequacy to such a task. But when I reflect, however, on the encouragement which I have had, through the whole course of a long and laborious examination of this question, and how much candour I have experienced, and how conviction has increased within my own mind, in proportion as I have advanced in my labours;—when I reflect, especially, that however averse any gentleman may now be, yet we shall all be of one opinion in the end;—when I turn myself to these thoughts, I take courage—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. I wish exceedingly, in the outset, to guard both myself and the House from entering into the subject with any sort of passion. It is not their passions I shall appeal to—I ask only for their cool and impartial reason; and I wish not to take them by surprise, but to deliberate, point by point, upon every part of this question. I mean not to accuse any one, but to take the shame upon myself, in common, indeed, with the whole parliament of Great Britain, for having suffered this horrid trade to be carried on under their authority. We are all guilty—we ought all to plead guilty, and not to exculpate ourselves by throwing the blame on others; and I therefore deprecate every kind of reflection against the various descriptions of people who are more immediately involved in this wretched business.

William Wilberforce's 1789 Abolition Speech

Question
Use the excerpt from William Wilberforce’s 1789 Abolition Speech, delivered in the House of Commons in England, to answer the question.

Based on the rhetoric in the passage, what impact is Wilberforce hoping to have on his audience?

(1 point)
Responses

He hopes they will find the people responsible for enslavement.
He hopes they will find the people responsible for enslavement.

He hopes they will support abolition.
He hopes they will support abolition.

He hopes they consider the magnitude of the topic he is discussing.
He hopes they consider the magnitude of the topic he is discussing.

He hopes they will argue passionately about abolition.
He hopes they will argue passionately about abolition.
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Answer 1

Based on the rhetoric in the passage, the impact Wilberforce is hoping to have on his audience is that he hopes they will support abolition.

This can be inferred from his emphasis on presenting his argument rationally and systematically, appealing to their reason rather than emotion, and his conviction that they will eventually be united in their stance against the slave trade. He expresses a desire for the House to deliberate thoughtfully on the matter, suggesting that he aims to persuade them to recognize the moral imperative of abolishing the slave trade.