12 Years a Slave. Solomon Northup

12 Years a Slave. Solomon Northup Free Online Research Papers In 1841, criminals seduced a free black New Yorker named Solomon Northup into slave territory by the promise of a job. There, they illegally sold him as a slave. When he protested to the slave dealer that he was free, the dealer beat him. He would learn not to assert his freedom, but over the next twelve years he attempted to free himself on several occasions, all which failed until the last, successful effort. (1-40) Solomon Northup first tries to escape while on board a ship that was sailing to a New Orleans slave market. Solomon and his two new acquaintances Arthur and Robert, plan to take over the ship and sail north. Solomon, Arthur, and Robert were to hide under another smaller boat that was on deck and to carry out their plan at night. Solomon and Arthur were going to sneak into the captain’s cabin and steal the pistols while Robert stood guard outside the door with a club. Unfortunately, they were unable to carry out their plans because Robert fell ill, and died of smallpox within a few days. (44-46) Next, Solomon was helping to build a cotton press when John Tibeats, who did not like Solomon from past experiences, critiqued everything he did, even though it was right. John Tibeats grew very angry and approached Solomon with a hatchet swearing he will kill him with it. Solomon and John Tibeats struggled a while and eventually Solomon was able to take the hatchet away from him. Then John Tibeats again tried to attack him with a stick and again Solomon was able to take control of the situation. While he struggled with Tibeats, Solomon or â€Å"Platt† considered killing him but then decided that he would severely beaten or maybe even killed as well, because he would be found guilty in the courts. Platt decided to run away to his former master’s house, that of William Ford. While trying to escape, John Tibeats and a pack of dogs chased him all day through the woods and marshes as Solomon ran for his life. Northup finally lost his enemies when we crossed the swamp , because the dogs were no longer able to track his scent over the water. Slaves were not taught how to swim, but growing up a free man, Solomon Northup loved to swim, and that ability saved his life. After days of crossing the wilderness and the swamps, Solomon met a white man and a slave on the road, and received directions from them to William Ford’s plantation. Northup arrived to the Ford’s plantation and they took him in and protected him from John Tibeats, because Ford still owned part of Solomon. If Tibeats were to hurt or kill Northup, Ford would lose his property, Solomon, or his value could drop. A few days later Solomon was rented to Randal Eldret by William Ford to work for him. (98-113) A few weeks later, Solomon Northup attempted to escape by persuading a ship captain to let him hide on board his ship that was headed north. Northup’s ability to play the violin gave him the opportunity to travel to other places and make more money then most other slaves. When Solomon went to Centreville, which is a port city on the Mississippi River, he asked the captain of a steamer to allow him to hide within his freight and sail north with him, and would pay him everything he had. The captain pitied Solomon and wanted to help him, but it was too risky for the captain because if he were caught he could have been killed or put in jail for helping runaway slaves because they are some else’s property, so he denied Northup’s offer. (149-150) Finally, Solomon met his master’s, Edwin Epps, friend Samuel Bass and Solomon finally found someone he could trust and possibly help him escape. Samuel Bass opposed slavery and thought that no man should have the right to own another man because he thought it was morally wrong. Solomon eventually told Samuel Bass his true life story and Bass was appalled by it. He felt bad for Solomon because he disagreed with slavery, so he vowed to help him gain his freedom. Samuel Bass agreed to send letters to Saratoga, which is where Solomon’s family resided, but there was never a response to the letters. A few months later, Bass again was able to get into contact with Solomon and told him that he would be going to Saratoga on his way to Canada, his homeland. Solomon gave him the names of his family and friends and Bass told him he would again send letters for him. A few months after Samuel Bass sent out the letters, Solomon was working in the fields and was approached by two men in a carriage. Solomon realized who they were and knew they were there to grant him his freedom. After proving to the men, the sheriff and Henry Northup, that he was Solomon Northup and he was free, they granted him his freedom. (204-242) Solomon Northup was a free man but was never allowed to admit to it and feared running away because of the consequences. The first time Solomon argued that he was kidnapped and was free, he was almost beaten to death and threatened that if he ever again admitted to that, he would be beaten worse or even killed. That fear that was inflicted into him was the reason Northup never told anyone his real life story. Another reason Solomon never tried to escape north was because every white man in the South had the right to stop and ask him where his freedom papers were, and if he did not have any, then the white man had the right to take him to jail. If a runaway slave was ever found or returned to their master’s, the punishment was almost too harsh to survive. In addition to the fear of being severely punished, most slaves did not know the exact route to the North and to freedom. Solomon experienced both freedom and slavery, and two completely different worlds of them. Northup hated slavery and periodically expresses his negative attitude towards it. Northup describes his first ever beating to the burning pains and agonies of hell. (25) Solomon describes his master, Edwin Epps, coming home intoxicated and whipping slaves for fun and making them play instrument and dance after a hard days work. (136-138) Another incident occurred when Solomon was ordered to beat another slave, which he did at least forty times. Edwin Epps was still not satisfied, but Solomon disobeyed his master and threw down then whip. Edwin Epps picked up the whip and beat her until she no longer moved and was on the edge of dying. After Solomon witnessed the beating, he said â€Å"Thou devil, sooner or later, somewhere in the course of eternal justice, thou shalt answer for this sin!† (197) Not all white men felt the same way towards slavery as did most of Solomon Northupâ₠¬â„¢s masters. Some white men, from the North and South, disagreed with slavery and thought that all slaves should be set free because no man should have the right to own another man and wanted to help free them, like Samuel Bass. Other white men helped free slaves because they felt it was their responsibility toward a son or family member of his family’s former slave, like Henry Northup. Research Papers on 12 Years a Slave. Solomon NorthupCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite Religion19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoTwilight of the UAWCapital PunishmentThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationBringing Democracy to AfricaThe Spring and AutumnArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Hip-Hop is Art

Nile Crocodile Facts (Crocodylus niloticus)

Nile Crocodile Facts (Crocodylus niloticus) The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large freshwater African reptile. It is responsible for the most deaths from any animal as a predator preying on humans, yet crocodiles serve an important ecological function. The Nile crocodile eats carcasses that pollute water and controls predatory fish that could overeat smaller fish used as food by many other species. Fast Facts: Nile Crocodile Scientific Name: Crocodylus niloticusCommon Names: Nile crocodile, African crocodile, common crocodile, black crocodileBasic Animal Group: ReptileSize: 10-20 feetWeight: 300-1650 poundsLifespan: 50-60 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Freshwater wetlands of sub-Saharan AfricaPopulation: 250,000Conservation Status: Least Concern Description The Nile crocodile is the second-largest reptile in the world after the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Nile crocodiles have thick, armored skin that is dark bronze with black stripes and spots on the back, greenish-yellow side stripes, and yellow scales on the belly. Crocodiles have four short legs, long tails, and elongated jaws with conical teeth. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are on top of the head. Males are about 30% larger than females. Average size ranges between 10 and 20 feet in length and anywhere from 300 to 1,650 pounds in weight. A Nile crocodile may carry her young in her mouth or on her back. Gallo Images-Roger De La Harpe / Getty Images Habitat and Distribution The Nile crocodile is native to Africa. It lives in freshwater marshes, swamps, lakes, streams, and rivers of sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile basin, and Madagascar. It is an invasive species in Florida, but it is unknown whether the population is reproducing. Although it is a freshwater species, the Nile crocodile has salt glands and sometimes enters brackish and marine waters. Diet and Behavior Crocodiles are apex predators that hunt animals up to twice their size. Young crocodiles eat invertebrates and fish, while larger ones may take any animal. They also feed on carcasses, other crocodiles (including members of their own species), and sometimes fruit. Like other crocodilians, they ingest stones as gastroliths, which may help digest food or act as ballast. Crocodiles are ambush predators that wait for prey to come within range, lunge at the target, and sink their teeth into it to drag it into water to drown, die from sudden thrashing movements, or be torn apart with help from other crocodiles. At night, crocodiles may leave the water and ambush prey on land. The Nile crocodile spends most of the day partially exposed in shallow water or basking on land. Crocodiles may bask with open mouths to prevent overheating or as a threat display for other crocodiles. Reproduction and Offspring Nile crocodiles reach sexual maturity between 12 and 16 years of age, when males are about 10 feet 10 inches long and females are between 7 and 10 feet long. Mature males breed every year, while females only breed once every two to three years. Males attract females by making noises, slapping their snouts in water, and blowing water out through their noses. Males may battle other males for breeding rights. Females lay eggs a month or two after breeding. Nesting can occur at any time of year, but tends to coincide with the dry season. The female digs a nest in the sand or soil several feet from the water and deposits between 25 and 80 eggs. The heat of the soil incubates the eggs and determines the sex of the offspring, with males only resulting from temperatures between 89 Â °F and 94 Â °F. The female guards the nest until the eggs hatch, which takes about 90 days. Near the end of the incubation period, the young make high-pitched chirps to alert the female to dig out the eggs. She may use her mouth to help her offspring hatch. After they have hatched, she may carry them in her mouth to water. While she guards her offspring for up to two years, they hunt their own food immediately after hatching. Despite her care, only about 10% of the eggs survive to hatching and 1% of hatchlings reach maturity. Mortality is high because the eggs and young are food for many other species. In captivity, Nile crocodiles live 50 to 60 years. They may have a potential lifespan of 70 to 100 years in the wild. A Nile crocodile has an egg tooth that it uses to help hatch from an egg. hphimagelibrary / Getty Images Conservation Status The Nile crocodile faced extinction in the 1960s. Today, the IUCN classifies the species conservation status as least concern. However, Nile crocodile numbers are decreasing. CITES lists the Nile crocodile under Appendix I (threatened with extinction) throughout most of its range. Researchers estimate 250,000 to 500,000 individuals live in the wild. Crocodiles are protected in part of their range and are raised in captivity. Threats The species faces multiple threats to its survival, including habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting for meat and leather, poaching, pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and persecution. Invasive plant species also pose a threat, as they alter the temperature of crocodile nests and prevent eggs from hatching. Nile Crocodiles and Humans Crocodiles are farmed for their leather. In the wild, they have a reputation as man-eaters. The Nile crocodile together with the saltwater crocodile kills hundreds or sometimes thousands of people each year. Females with nests are aggressive, plus large adults hunt humans. Field biologists attribute the high number of attacks to a general lack of caution around crocodile-occupied areas. Studies indicate planned land management and public education could reduce human-crocodile conflict. Sources Crocodile Specialist Group 1996. Crocodylus niloticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996: e.T46590A11064465. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T46590A11064465.enDunham, K. M.; Ghiurghi, A.; Cumbi, R. Urbano, F. Human–wildlife conflict in Mozambique: a national perspective, with emphasis on wildlife attacks on humans. Oryx. 44 (2): 185, 2010. doi:10.1017/S003060530999086XThorbjarnarson, J. Crocodile tears and skins: international trade, economic constraints, and limits to the sustainable use of crocodilians. Conservation Biology. 13 (3): 465–470, 1999. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.00011.xWallace, K. M. A. J. Leslie. Diet of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Journal of Herpetology. 42 (2): 361, 2008. doi:10.1670/07-1071.1Wood, Gerald. The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Sterling Publishing Co Inc., 1983. ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9.