Premium Essay

Influence Of Thomas Jefferson's Views On Slavery

Submitted By
Words 606
Pages 3
In the 18th to 19th century, slave institutions were dominant in America. The most afflicted people were the Africans and the African Americans. However, not everyone supported the idea of slavery in such a first-class nation. Some were against it, and they struggled to ensure that the inhuman act was stopped. Thomas Jefferson was against the institution of slavery in America. His personal views can be well traced from notes and letters he sent to various leaders. For one, Jefferson was against slavery because he believed that all men were created equal. No man is superior than the other, and hence slavery was an inhuman act that set the victims to pain and torture. He thought that white man was just as equal to black man and there should be no difference in the manner that the two are treated. In his reply letter to Mr. Benjamin Banneker on August 30, 1791, he expressed how a black man has equal talent as a white man (Letter to Benjamin Banneker). None of these individuals should live in degraded conditions. Color does not justify slavery of the Africans and African Americans. To Jefferson, the institutions of slavery were a source of division. The white men intended to retain and enslave black men in American so that they would save the …show more content…
Though the slave population gradually increased to 1830’s, he stood firm to ensure that the act came to an end. His opinion on the institution of slavery never changed, he strongly opposed it. One of the significant efforts he made was to discourage cultivation of crops that heavily depended on slave labor, for instance, tobacco plantations. He knew that if such crops would be replaced with plants that did not demand intensive labor, such as wheat, rice, and wine grapes and slavery would end. His prediction that slavery would cause division came to pass in the year 1861 when the fight against slavery caused the bloody civil

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Essay Comparing Thomas Jefferson And Slavery By Paul Finkelman

...Everyone knows the famous quote Thomas Jefferson argued: “All Men are Created Equal.” Do we judge this contradicting man for what he believed in despite the actions that were taken? Both authors Authors Douglas L. Wilson“ Jefferson and charcuterie issues” And Author Paul Finkelman “Jefferson and Slavery.” Give insight on how the felt about the situation. Thomas Jefferson claimed slaves should be taught to be free-man, independent, and acquire educational guidance. Yet Thomas Jefferson, was a sanctimonious person because he believed all men should be equal, but held African-Americans against their will. The Logical view regarding servitude and Thomas Jefferson is rather confusing. A person who wants the best for you, even though they cannot...

Words: 687 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Jefferson: a Man with a Plan

...Thomas Jefferson was who authored extraordinary words and it was there words that changed a nation. Jefferson’s ability to write made him prominent author of write the Declaration of Independence, (among other significant works). Jefferson’s writings reflected on the rights of mankind and what rights a government must offer its people. His use of words to fight for Human rights makes him one of the greatest American Hero’s. Thomas Jefferson’s writings on basic human rights caused a radical shift in American Colonist thoughts and these stunning ideas would influence the Americans to break away from Great Britain. “As a boy, Thomas Jefferson’s was shy and often tongue-tied…Preferred the company of books to that of most people.” (Wilmore, 1) These were words to describe the young Jefferson; his childhood would prove to be a key in shaping the man, who through his words would change a nation. Jefferson was born on April 13th 1743, in Shadwell Virginia. During his childhood he would spend 15 hours each day reading and writing, this would prove to make his writing skills at a high level (1). As he grew into an adult he would study law in his home of Virginia at the William and Mary College at Williamsburg (Bottorff, 15). During this time he would become a member of the Whig party and would advocate for the rights and liberties of mankind (Peterson, 1). It was in his childhood and as turned into an adult which he learned how to write and how to express his political views through words...

Words: 2298 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

History

...The American Slavery in the 19th century In modern history, historians have researched the significance of slavery in the United States’ history. Many Black women and men in America suffered misery of slavery through their entire lives especially by their slave owners. Most African Americans people were sent to the United States and were underprivileged from the freedoms, joy of family life, ability to make own choices, and even from the basic human rights. In order to evaluate the American system of slavery this paper will analyze and compare two primary sources, Thomas Jefferson's, “ Note on the State of Virginia”, and "The Trials of Girlhood and The Jealous Mistress" in “Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl,” by Harriet Ann Jacobs. While Thomas Jefferson proposes his idea to emancipate freed African American slavery, he was willing to reconsider the relationship between slaves and their owners. Harriet presents real situation of degraded relationships between white and slaves in her early slave life. However, both two disagree that slavery in the United States would divide human races into even more conflicts with social, cultural, economic, and political impacts. In “Note on the state of Virginia,” Jefferson discussed his proposal for the emancipation and removal of Virginia's slaves. In his not he explained why freeing black slaveries could not remain longer in the future. Jefferson argued that “deep-rooted prejudices entertained by the whites; ten thousand...

Words: 1020 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Benjamin Banneker's Peonage And Servitude

...Peonage and Servitude American slavery has always been a highly debated topic throughout the decades. Author, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson during 1791 emphasize the notion of servitude and how it was an application of injustice. He argues that the institution of slavery was an immoral practice, in which contradicts the nation’s ideal of equality. Benjamin adapts a series of religious appeals, repetition, and an emotional diction in order to persuade his readers of the morality of slavery. An individual’s sense of morality is a basis for one’s own society and moral positions. Banneker attacks Jefferson by doubting his virtuous perspective in regards to his position on slavery. The author reflects that although Jefferson...

Words: 405 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Influences In Thomas Jefferson's Political Career

...Founding father, Thomas Jefferson is arguably one of the most important figure in the shaping of America, because of his interest in science and its methods, it laid down a foundation to offer pragmatic solutions of that time, as the author of the Declaration Of Independence he begins to form the ideas of basic human rights, even though these rights were penned by white men in order to support and protect their interest, and his concepts of American legislation address the political topics currently being debated. Thomas Jefferson's educational background plays a crucial role as he transitions from teenager to young adult. While in college he meets professors that play a role in his steps toward a political career. These teachers backgrounds...

Words: 917 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Louisiana Purchase Essay

...prosperous event in American history. As in The Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson once said, “This little event, of France’s possessing herself of Louisiana is the embryo of a tornado which will burst on the countries on both sides of the Atlantic and involve in its effects their highest destinies” (Zurn 101). Without the Louisiana Purchase, the U.S. would not have grown and prospered into the nation it is today without the territory’s exploration, discovery, mobility, and political debate. To begin, after months’ of negotiation, the acquisition of the Louisiana territory led to the largest enthusiasm for expansion the U.S....

Words: 1776 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Thomas Jefferson

...Thomas Jefferson By Juan Garcia Introduction The third president of the United States, Jefferson is most famous as the author of the Declaration of Independence, a document that served as a profound expression of his own beliefs on equality and natural rights, as well as a concise articulation of the revolutionary impulses of an emerging nation. Long revered as one of America's founding fathers, Jefferson remains the subject of intense scholarly debate in the twenty-first century. Of particular interest to current critics and historians are his views on the separation of church and state, and the inconsistency between his well-documented belief in individual liberty and his status as a slave owner. His views on Native Americans, African-Americans, and women are considered at odds with the principle of universal equality he claimed in the Declaration to be “self-evident.” Biographical Information Jefferson was born at Shadwell, in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia. His father was a self-made man and an early settler of the Virginia wilderness, and his mother was a member of a prominent Colonial family, the Randolphs. Jefferson attended private schools and the College of William and Mary, where he studied law, science, literature, and philosophy. He was admitted to the bar in 1767 and practiced law for two years. In 1769 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. During that same year he designed and began building Monticello, his famous family home, in...

Words: 1618 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Alexander Stephens Cornerstone Speech

...Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States of America, gave a speech on March 21, 1861 in Savannah, Georgia. His speech is known as the “Cornerstone Speech,” for the Confederate States of America. Throughout his speech one can see very remarkably his position regarding the “African race.” However, he not only expresses his opinion, but claims that he is right and that anyone who thinks differently is wrong. Stephens believes firmly that white people are greater than the Africans. In other words, he stands firm in his belief that “negros” are not equal to white man. However, he not only believes this, but firmly states that it is a physical, philosophical, and moral truth. Additionally, he defends his argument by saying...

Words: 411 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Founding Brothers Analysis

...War, allowing the reader to see further in-depth through numerous point of views. Ellis invokes a theme contrasting foresight and hindsight. While it is sometimes speculated that it was merely fate that led to the Revolution, to the founding fathers, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Each leader of the revolution had their own plan for what was to come out of the revolution, and despite their differences, the Founding Fathers unified in order to ensure freedom for Americans....

Words: 935 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Slavery Argumentative Essay

...Back in the eighteenth century when slavery uprising happened in America, slavery was a debatable issue. Hence, the opinions toward it were a concern at that time. On July 4th, 1776, The Declaration of Independence was written to declare that the America was a separate country that had its own sovereignty rights. It was also stated that the two most important things that were “all men are created equal”, and they would have certain rights “among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. Slavery was a norm at that time, so the question arisen is how the Founding Fathers - leaders of America thought and took action about slavery. According to the Declaration, slavery is unacceptable. Among the Founding Fathers, George Washington...

Words: 1254 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

His301

...Influences on the Constitution Marlene Monarrez HIS/301 December 3, 2012 Instructor: Andrew Van Ness Influences on the Constitution Table |Documents |Summary |What was its influence on the Constitution? | |Magna Carta | Issued by King John of England in 1215 when Englishmen went to the colonies they were | The Magna Carta gave Englishmen certain human rights, | | |given charters that guaranteed them and their heirs would “have and enjoy all liberties and |freedom of religion, reform of justice system and regulated | | |immunities of free and natural subjects.” The document clearly stated that no free man could|officials. The Magna Carta limited the king’s power and created | | |be prosecuted by any means other than the law of the land. |what we know today as parliament. | | |The Magna Carta had been the very first document which proclaimed personal liberties. The | | | |Magna Carta was forced upon an English Emperor by a team of barons. This had been the first |This was used as...

Words: 2527 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

What Is Thomas Jefferson's View Of Federalism

...republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Federalists generally believed in a powerful, centralized national government, while the democratic republicans believe in states’ rights, and a weak federal government to prevent despotism. Alexander Hamilton mainly argued that federalism worked practically in the world because of the nature of people. He claimed that government should have the power to enforce the laws it passes when they are resisted, and only a strong federal...

Words: 1628 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Influences on the Constitution

...University of Phoenix Material Influences on the Constitution Table Write one or two paragraphs in each section. Include citations for your sources. |Documents |Summary |What was its influence on the Constitution? | |Magna Carta |The Magna Carta was signed between the Barons of Medieval England and King John. The |The Magna Carta established the right of due process and provided a basis of higher law that could not | | |Great Charter was signed at Runnymeade near the Windsor Castle and was an attempt by |be altered by executive mandate or legislative acts ("Magna Carta: Cornerstone Of The U.s. | | |the Barons to prohibit the King from abusing his power over the people ("Magna |Constitution", n.d.). | | |Carta", 2000-2012).. | | | |The Magna Carta consists of 63 clauses, many of the clauses address the English legal |Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution. (n.d.). Retrieved from | | |system. It states that every man shall...

Words: 1851 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Influences of the Constitution

...Influences on the Constitution Table No Name HIS 301 August 1, 2013 Professor Documents that became part of the US Constitution Magna Carta A document originally written by barons in 1215 and called the Articles of the Barons, is later modified and a formal version of the document was written and became known as Magna Carta. According to "Magna Carta" (n.d.), “In the 17th century, however, two defining acts of English legislation–the Petition of Right (1628) and the Habeas Corpus Act (1679)–referred to Clause 39, which states that "no free man shall be… imprisoned or disseised [dispossessed]… except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land." Clause 40 ("To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay right or justice")” (The Document and Its Legacy). This document would have big implications for the future of the American legal system. A specific part of this document was influenced in part of an amendment and written into the Constitution of what is known to become the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. The document became the basis of a higher law that could not be altered, even by legislative acts. It embraced the leaders of the American Revolution and parts of it are embedded in the US Constitution and enforced by the Supreme Court. The part of which we referring to say, “Nor shall any person be deprived...

Words: 1819 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Westward Expansion

...The purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 opened the door to westward expansion. Thomas Jefferson purchased this extensive plot of land with the hopes of strengthening and expanding the Republic, unaware that it would have the opposite effect. Jefferson’s fateful decision to expand the United States nearly destroyed the Republic that Americans worked so hard to build. It triggered the rise of divisions amongst Americans. These small cracks continued to grow and tear at the seams of the nation. Although westward expansion between 1800 and 1848 granted many new opportunities to the American people, it also brought about tension that plagued the nation for years to come. Some historians may construe westward expansion as beneficial to the...

Words: 1540 - Pages: 7