Discussion Question

What is the internal bias that is prevalent in the Philidelphia General Advertiser and how is it shown?

While reading the reports that were printed in the Philidelphia General Advertiser about the slave revolution, it becomes clear that this article attempts to paint the slaves in a bad light. Through phrases like, “a horrid carnage ensued, as they had orders to give no quarter to men, women, or children; the slaughter finished at two, and the troops began to plunder” (98) and “They fight under a bloody flag, having on it a motto, denouncing death to all whites!” (98) are used to illustrate the slaves as violent, horrific people who are murdering white landowners. What the article fails to acknowledge, however, are the horrific conditions that these slaves were under. Instead, it uses fearmongering to further its motive.

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