I'd suggest that the intro is a bit much here. I propose removing the second paragraph in its entirety and reformatting the first paragraph a bit so it's a better match for things that we don't copy and paste. Turtle Fan (talk) 16:10, 12 August 2022 (UTC)
- Given that there is a province called "Wilberforce" in the NAU, I think we should keep the reference to William Wilberforce in the second paragraph. Beyond that, I have no objection to some edits. TR (talk) 16:14, 12 August 2022 (UTC)
- The reference to "Wilberforce" was the main reason I added the second paragraph. It comes from the main body of the Wikipedia article dealing with implementation of the Act. What I also found interesting was how it was similar to the fictional act Presedent Lee brought forward in GotS. I don't think Turtledove copied the British act but instead the solution to a similar problem is similar rather than radically different.
- Didn't HT once admit that he based that act on the Brazilian law, despite the anachronism of that law not having gone into effect till 1888? If so, I've always been willing to suspend disbelief on the grounds that different people addressing the same problem are likely to arrive at similar solutions independently. That would work equally well if we include the British law in the mix. Turtle Fan (talk) 18:05, 12 August 2022 (UTC)
- OK, I reworded it and ended up with three paragraphs, but I think it reads smoother. If the part on "apprenticeships" is removed, I think it could be collapsed into one paragraph. I don't feel strongly for keeping it but do think it gives some notion of how Sam's ancestors received their clerking education. ML4E (talk) 17:53, 12 August 2022 (UTC)
- I've pared it down to the essentials while leaving the reference to Wilberforce. As you say, removing the apprenticeship makes a single-paragraph intro viable. I don't think the apprenticeships are necessary because that really doesn't sound like Sam's ancestors did. The article makes it sound like they left the plantation ASAP to pursue opportunities for education and skilled employment, whereas my understanding of the apprenticeships is that it was something much more closely resembling the unpaid indentures that provided most of the early colonies' agricultural labor before the slave trade was able to fill that need. Turtle Fan (talk) 18:05, 12 August 2022 (UTC)
The bit about this law being repealed in 1998 got me curious about the legal status of slavery in the world today and I found this very harrowing study of various national laws. The only thing about reading this that I found remotely encouraging is that the US is lightly colored on both maps. It's not often that maps such as this make us look better compared with actual civilized countries. Turtle Fan (talk) 18:05, 12 August 2022 (UTC)
- Conversely, the maps served as a grim reminder for me that Ireland doesn't have legislation prohibiting either slavery or forced labour. Someday, hopefully. GusF (talk) 10:06, 13 August 2022 (UTC)
- Yeah, abolitionists' work isn't done yet. Turtle Fan (talk) 21:25, 15 August 2022 (UTC)