Structure of the Negative First Speaker's Speech

● Define and interpret the moot.

● State your principal arguments and outline the team spirit.
● Rebuttal/counter argument to the first affirmative speaker.
● Present arguments.
● Conclude.

Main Arguments/Points:

1. The events that categorized the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865 fit the criteria of an
insurrection rather than a war, thus these insurrectionists were guilty of treason to the state.
(Define the above words. Differentiate between a war and an insurrection. List the criteria for a
war, give examples of a war and why the uprising does not meet that said criteria. List the
criteria for an insurrection and specify certain acts done by Paul Bogle and his followers which
supports the uprising being an insurrection)

2. The right to air grievances against the government did not give the insurrectionists the right to
resort to violence, insurrection, and possibly sedition. (Differentiate between civil disobedience
and violence. Give historical examples advocating civil disobedience, and highlight certain acts
of the uprising that were clearly violent. Identify 2 civil disobedience strategies that could have
been employed)

3. Governor Eyre had not only the moral obligation but also a civil and political duty as the
head of state and is justified in subduing social unrest, even with the usage of violence, thus he
did not commit any crimes against humanity. (Make clear the political and civil responsibility of a
governor of that time, give examples of governments subduing such uprisings. Explain what
exactly is a crime against humanity and why what Governor Eyre did, should not be classified
as such)