Compare Thomas Jefferson On Race And Slavery
Thomas Jefferson on Race and Slavery
Thomas Jefferson writes his plan for how to end slavery within the colonial united states. He believed that slavery was unjust but still kept his viewpoint of whites and blacks being unequal in mind or physical characteristics. Therefore, he believed that because the two were different they could not unify together to form a cohesive nation. This is why they should be sent out of the country into another land but since they are still humans in the eyes of Jefferson the colonies should provide the necessary supplies to help them start a sustainable life.
Jefferson publishes his ideas on slavery in his book, Notes on the State of Virginia, in 1781. Jefferson tries to use his reputation of being a
founding father and helping publish the declaration of independence as a way to persuade the people of Virginia to believe in his ideas regarding slavery and blacks. The source is very reliable because it gives historians a way to look into the mind of Jefferson to see what kind of political agenda he pushed. More importantly this document illustrates the thought process behind why they did not see blacks and whites as equals. Jefferson clearly cites how they require less sleep and do not perform as well under pressure as was that he believes they are not equal.
Historians can pull out the thought process behind the racism as well as the lack of scientific evidence supporting their viewpoints. Jefferson’s writings can demonstrate how progressive his thinking was for his time and yet still be so far from equality. Historians are also able to analyze Jefferson himself and how he had a desire to help people. Jefferson thought of blacks as beneath whites but he still had the desire to help them succeed even if it was in a remote location away from America. This speaks about his character in ways that other writings do not.
Thomas Jefferson writes his plan for how to end slavery within the colonial united states. He believed that slavery was unjust but still kept his viewpoint of whites and blacks being unequal in mind or physical characteristics. Therefore, he believed that because the two were different they could not unify together to form a cohesive nation. This is why they should be sent out of the country into another land but since they are still humans in the eyes of Jefferson the colonies should provide the necessary supplies to help them start a sustainable life.
Jefferson publishes his ideas on slavery in his book, Notes on the State of Virginia, in 1781. Jefferson tries to use his reputation of being a
founding father and helping publish the declaration of independence as a way to persuade the people of Virginia to believe in his ideas regarding slavery and blacks. The source is very reliable because it gives historians a way to look into the mind of Jefferson to see what kind of political agenda he pushed. More importantly this document illustrates the thought process behind why they did not see blacks and whites as equals. Jefferson clearly cites how they require less sleep and do not perform as well under pressure as was that he believes they are not equal.
Historians can pull out the thought process behind the racism as well as the lack of scientific evidence supporting their viewpoints. Jefferson’s writings can demonstrate how progressive his thinking was for his time and yet still be so far from equality. Historians are also able to analyze Jefferson himself and how he had a desire to help people. Jefferson thought of blacks as beneath whites but he still had the desire to help them succeed even if it was in a remote location away from America. This speaks about his character in ways that other writings do not.