Thomas Jefferson's Notes On The Declaration Of Slavery And Native American Slaverys Analysis

Thomas Jefferson is one of the best known men in American history. He is remembered for his contributions to the Declaration of Independence and his presidency. He says in the Declaration that all men are created equal yet he owns around six hundred slaves and says otherwise in his book Notes on the State of Virginia. Jefferson clearly does not believe that African slaves or Indigenous Americans can be a part of American society because they are naturally barbaric. Throughout the book Jefferson makes it clear that neither the Africans or Indians are at the same level as the whites. Europeans are the best version of mankind in the mind of Jefferson. African slaves are portrayed as children. He says in his book, “They are at least as
This is due to all the factors listed above, along with the fact that they will not forget the crimes committed against them. These will lead to a division of groups and lead to a war between the races. This war will never end until the extermination of one of these races. In his opinion, it would be best for society to “civilize” the slaves. Whites would teach the slaves and give them everything they need to build their own successful nation. Then ally with them and provide protection until they are self sufficient. This way Whites can avoid the revenge and the burden of
He calls them brave, but not in the way that Slaves are. They are brave in battle instead of like children. He knows they are brave in battle because many times the battle was against white society. He also praises their oratory skills saying that no other orator has equaled the superiority of the speech Logan, a Mingo chief, gave after his people were wronged. Jefferson also says that the Native women are stronger than White women but the Native men are weaker than that of their counterparts. The women he points out go on war trips with the men making them stronger and conception a inconvenience to them. Thus the Natives have less children. This he considers to be unjust drudgery. Finally he mentions some physical difference between the two races. Natives are small in hand and wrist, and are also less strong in the body. He also says that they have less hair on the body than Whites similar to how Slaves have very little hair on their