“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” -Abraham Lincoln. In Benjamin Banneker’s critical letter to Thomas Jefferson, Banneker supports his point by contradicting Jefferson's beliefs regarding slavery. Banneker uses two main rhetorical strategies to support his claim. The first strategy focuses on an appeal to patriotism while the second focuses on an appeal to religion. Banneker focuses on using religious ideals that reflect many people's ideas, values, and morals. He persuades Jefferson further by referencing direct quotes from some of our nation's most important founding documents. By combining these ideas and contradicting Jefferson, Banneker creates a powerful and convincing argument. As exemplified in the first half of his essay, Banneker uses strong political arguments and primary sources to support his main idea. He challenges Jefferson's own beliefs when he states, “You cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that is the peculiar blessing of heaven” (Banneker 11). Banneker uses founding ideals of the United States to …show more content…
He ties together these two main ideas consistently throughout his letter. Banneker's effective method of contradiction also helps support his ideas. Many of Banneker’s strongest arguments are still very applicable to our society today. For example, Banneker’s reference to putting yourself in another man's shoes applies in many aspects of everyday life. Banneker relies on the reader's ability to relate to other situations and experiences. What may be perceived as fair to one group of people, may be extremely unfair to another. By relating another individual's situation to your own, people gain a deeper understanding of how our society can function more effectively as a