ipl-logo

Was Thomas Jefferson A Hero Or Hypocrite

481 Words2 Pages

Harrison Rayner
Mrs. Bergeron-Kloc
Thomas Jefferson: Hero or Hypocrite Essay
3/6/23

Thomas Jefferson claimed that all colored men had natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; however in reality, Jefferson was a renowned hypocrite and owner of more than six hundred slaves in his lifetime. Throughout his life, Jefferson was a semi-typical slave owner who took advantage of colored men for their labor. Furthermore, when Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he attempted to use the British as a scapegoat for their transgressions. In addition, Jefferson may have opposed the notion of slavery, however, ultimately, he was a hypocrite for his beliefs as he owned hundreds of slaves in his lifetime.

Thomas Jefferson postulated in the Declaration of Independence that slavery was inhuman yet was a callous hypocrite that treated his slaves brutally. Moreover, Jefferson asserted to Edward Rutledge, former governor of South Carolina, “I congratulate you… on the law of your state for suspending the importation of slaves… There is a bench reserved in heaven for those who hasten [slavery].”( Jefferson letter to Rutledge: 1787, July 14). Jefferson incorporates religious beliefs into his letter to amplify the gravity of the situation similar to recent historical events such as the Salem witch trials which leveraged off of the skewed perception of religion. …show more content…

Moreover, Jefferson submits the following quote in his notes on the state of Virginia in 1789: “That the blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind”. (Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia:1789). Conversely, Jefferson changes his opinion of slavery for means of self

Show More
Related
720 Words | 3 Pages

Through history Thomas Jefferson has always be shown as a national hero in his efforts to help create American during its early stages after the Revolutionary War. While this strong and beloved vision of Jefferson has been written down in textbooks for centuries, Jefferson to had a dark and negative side that is sometimes forgotten. In Gary Wills novel Negro President: Jefferson and the Slave Power displays the dark submissive side of Jefferson that few choose to focus on. Wills criticizes the historians as they fail to show the “slave power” that the South and its slaveholders influenced during Jefferson's time. Ultimately, Wills main focus in his novel is how slavery in America during 1790-1848 affected America as a nation, but its own leaders

Read More
597 Words | 3 Pages

In the letter to Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Banneker, it is evident that Banneker uses the rhetorical strategies of humility, religious references, and historical references to create a foundation for a rational and favorable argument against slavery. Banneker is clearly a well-educated man with a background of respectable talents (“…farmer, astronomer, mathematician…” etc.). However, he does not allow his knowledge to condescend towards the white man to whom he is writing. Banneker’s humility is a rhetorical device that contributes to the argument against slavery. Never in the letter does Banneker refer to Jefferson by name.

Read More
616 Words | 3 Pages

One of the historical references he makes is quoting a section from the Declaration of Independence. He quotes the beginning of the Declaration of Independence when it mentions that “All men are created equal” and that men have unalienable rights, which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” He tells Jefferson that the black men and women of America are not given these rights. They are not given the right to life because they are slaves. They are not given the right to liberty because they are slaves.

Read More
1181 Words | 5 Pages

William Cohen, “Jefferson and the Problem of Slavery,” Journal of American History 56, no 3 (1969): 503-526 Thomas Jefferson is one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for what is now The United States of America. Jefferson is also reflected to be one of the most controversial because of his juxtaposing political posture of race and slavery compared to his personal beliefs on this same matter. He, along with other “Founding Fathers,” owned slaves but also believed that all men are equal and are to be treated equally. William Cohen in his article, “Jefferson and the Problem of Slavery,” talks about the complexity and contradictions of Thomas Jefferson through his political actions as compared to his personal practices. Jefferson was complex

Read More
229 Words | 1 Pages

The quote also appeals to Jefferson’s emotions because Banneker makes him feel guilty about slavery. Jefferson

Read More
651 Words | 3 Pages

Hypocrisy is one of the worst moral crimes someone can commit. Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. He has gone back on his morale of everyone having unalienable rights by letting slavery continue to happen, and Banneker believes he is the prime contender in allowing this crime to happen and that he should be the start and make the move to stop slavery. Banneker explains this to Jefferson in such a way that the letter is both respectful and thoughtful while also being rude due to the use of how he phrases his sentences, that his argument can not be questioned because of his use of ‘Sir’ to show his respect, and his ardent choice of words which are all collectively used to explain how Jefferson is being hypocritical and show him why he should fix this.

Read More
266 Words | 2 Pages

Another factor that presents injustices, inequality and prejudices the article From Notes on Virginia (1779), Jefferson address political leaders and argues not to free the slaves. At the same time giving reasons with giving an adverse distinction on the appearance of African Americans, Later stating that Black Americans is not intelligence and that they smell. In fact, Jefferson offers the belief that Black Americans were inferior to Whites and by making these statements pronounce of being ethically wrong that produce inequity. Granted there was various individual like George Fitzhugh a southerner indicated that the document referring to the Declaration of Independence meant all men created equal as it relates to equal possession of property.

Read More
860 Words | 4 Pages

That being the case, Jefferson’s authority over the continued development of slavery was solidified, not caring to acknowledge the enslaved persons of the 13 colonies while cultivating the Declaration. Consequently, Banneker subtly recognizes the authoritative power and works of Jefferson, particularly through the ideals expressed in the Declaration. Through his letter, Banneker cites the most notable verse of the document that “...all men are created equal” and born with “unalienable rights” to the object freedoms of “life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Subsequently, Banneker retains his respective attitude toward Jefferson’s accomplishments while reapplying Jefferson’s own words to the concept of slavery. While highlighting how political leaders and many white citizens in the US possess access to these “present freedom[s]” of equality throughout the United States per the Declaration, Banneker repurposes the document to improve his credibility, solidifying his argument that the current slaves did not preserve these same freedoms.

Read More
419 Words | 2 Pages

Plantation owners including Thomas Jefferson had slaves. Thomas Jefferson had over 200 slaves. I gave him a bad grave because he had slaves,

Read More
470 Words | 2 Pages

Thomas Jefferson was a hypocrite by owning 100 and over slaves and was an active member of slave trading. He would buy, sell, or trade over a hundred people. He made love to one of his slaves and promised to set his baby

Read More
377 Words | 2 Pages

Thomas Jefferson and Slavery If I were to grade Thomas Jefferson based upon his words and actions regarding slavery I would give him an D.Because of fought against slavery,had slaves,and help cultivate crops. Why would a person have slaves then fight against it. He was maybe trying to show how there lives are or just to show an example of the everyday life of a African American slave.

Read More
1263 Words | 6 Pages

He also states that he is scared for his country because God is just and justice will rein true in the end. On the other hand, Jefferson was an active slave holder while he was writing this book so many view him as a hypocrite on this

Read More
821 Words | 4 Pages

Perspective views of African Americans by a slave owner, Founding Father, and former President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. African Americans, according to Jefferson were inferior to whites “in the endowments both of body and mind.” To refute his suspicions about African Americans inferior intelligence, Jefferson set out to investigate, but only to claim that his suspicions were correct rather than refuted. I’m surprised that a man of his intellect would conclude that African Americans inferiority was “a biological condition rather than the consequences of slavery or social” (page 122).

Read More
216 Words | 1 Pages

Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743, with slavery going on over 75 years in Virginia. He grew up up with indentured servants, while owning nearly 200 slaves as an adult. Though he was an opponent of slavery and made attempts to slowly end slavery, he believed in the moral and social superiority of whites over blacks. “Blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind,” meaning the idea of blacks’ physical and intellectual inferiority to whites. He shared his beliefs about the dangers of race mixture, the cultural differences, and the unwanted physical characteristics.

Read More
828 Words | 4 Pages

In multiple letters and notes he wrote he expressed his guilt for the slaves and once the slaves paid off their debt and Jefferson’s he hoped to free them. Jefferson and his slaves remained in debt until the day he died. Jefferson believed that slavery not only deprived blacks of their liberty but had an “unhappy” influence on the masters and their children (Takaki 63). If a master is constantly punishing a slave and cannot restrain, the child’s master will imitate and master it, resulting in a nonstop cycle of slavery.

Read More

More about Was Thomas Jefferson A Hero Or Hypocrite

Related Topics

Open Document