Thomas Jefferson can be considered as one of the most important Presidents of the United
States of America.
He was born in 1743 in Virginia and after having been enrolled in The College of William
and Mary in Williamsburg, he started his political career at the end of the 1760s. In
1769, Jefferson was elected as a legislator. In 1775, he was one of the delegates at the second
Continental Congress. Four years later, Jefferson became Governor of Virginia. In 1797, he
was elected Vice-President and in 1801, he finally became the third President of the United
States of America (Dumbauld XI-XVI).
Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He lived during the time
of revolution and American efforts to reach independence from Great Britain and to establish
democracy in the United States.
During his life, he published many writings on democracy, liberty, and equality. “The
central feature of Jefferson’s political creed was his concern for human freedom.” (qtd. in
Dumbauld IX). In 1774, he wrote his first published work A Summary View of the Rights of
British America. Two years later, he became famous for writing the main part of the Declaration
of Independence. Furthermore, he published the book Notes on the State of Virginia and
during his presidency, his First Inaugural Address was very important. In all these writings,
Jefferson emphasized democracy, liberty and equality, but he had many problems realizing
his concepts, especially with regard to slavery, which became a fundamental problem for Jefferson
and in the United States of America in general.
In the following work, Jefferson’s above mentioned writings will be analyzed with regard
to slavery and the inconsistency in his writings about the issue of slavery will be demonstrated.
Furthermore, his personal behavior towards bondage will be presented by analyzing
some family letters.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction – historical context and some information about Thomas Jefferson
2 Interpretation of selected writings of Thomas Jefferson with regard to slavery
2.1 A Summary View of the Rights of British America
2.2 Declaration of Independence
2.3 Notes on the State of Virginia
2.3.1 Query XIV: Laws
2.3.2 Query XVIII: Manners
2.4 First Inaugural Address
2.5 Selected parts of family letters of Thomas Jefferson
3 Conclusion – inconsistency in Thomas Jefferson’s writings about the issue of slavery
4 Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This academic term paper investigates the fundamental discrepancy in the political philosophy and personal conduct of Thomas Jefferson regarding the issue of slavery. By analyzing key historical documents and private correspondence, the paper seeks to highlight the conflict between Jefferson’s public advocacy for liberty and equality and his reality as a slave owner.
- Historical context of Thomas Jefferson’s political career and ideology.
- Analysis of major political writings including the Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia.
- Examination of private family letters to assess personal attitudes towards enslaved individuals.
- Critical assessment of the ideological inconsistency regarding human rights and bondage.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3.1 Query XIV: Laws
Query XIV is really contradictory regarding the issue of slavery. In this part of the Notes on the State of Virginia, Jefferson on the one hand mentions freedom and independence, on the other hand, however, he talks about the African-Americans’ inferiority.
Jefferson describes how to realize the emancipation of African-American people, but not by integrating them but by removing them to a separate colony:
“[…] to emancipate all slaves born after passing the act. […] that they should continue with their parents to a certain age, then be brought up, at the public expense, to tillage, arts of science, according to their geniusses, till the females should be eighteen, and the males twenty-one years of age, when they should be colonized to such place as the circumstances of the time should render most proper, sending them out with arms, implements of household […] to declare them a free and independent people, and extend to them our alliance and protection, till they shall have acquired strength […]” (qtd. in Mansfield 36-37).
Jefferson wants the slaves to be “free and independent”. But this quote shows that he does not think that it is possible to emancipate African-American people. He declares that they should “be colonized to such place” and live separated from the white people. It is also important that he only talks about African-Americans born in the future and that, according to this passage, the masters still have the right to keep slaves until they are grown up.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction – historical context and some information about Thomas Jefferson: Provides a biographical overview of Jefferson and establishes the research focus on his contradictory stance regarding slavery.
2 Interpretation of selected writings of Thomas Jefferson with regard to slavery: Examines central texts such as the Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia to expose the author’s shifting arguments on liberty and race.
3 Conclusion – inconsistency in Thomas Jefferson’s writings about the issue of slavery: Synthesizes the findings to demonstrate that Jefferson was unable to reconcile his professed democratic ideals with the practice of slaveholding.
4 Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used to support the analysis of Jefferson’s political and personal writings.
Keywords
Thomas Jefferson, Slavery, American Democracy, Human Freedom, Declaration of Independence, Notes on the State of Virginia, Bondage, Inconsistency, Equality, Liberty, Racism, Emancipation, Founding Fathers, Political Writings, Family Letters
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the thematic contradiction between Thomas Jefferson’s public promotion of freedom and equality and his private practice of owning slaves.
Which specific themes are addressed?
The core themes include political philosophy, the interpretation of natural rights, the history of American slavery, racial prejudice, and the concept of democracy.
What is the central research question?
The study explores whether Thomas Jefferson truly believed in the equality of all men, given the stark discrepancy between his writings and his life as a slave owner.
What methodology does the author use?
The paper employs a qualitative analysis of primary historical documents, official political speeches, and private family letters.
What does the main body cover?
It provides a detailed analysis of Jefferson’s major works, specifically looking at how he addresses freedom and slavery in each text.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include Thomas Jefferson, slavery, democracy, liberty, equality, inconsistency, and natural rights.
How does Jefferson view the future of enslaved people in "Notes on the State of Virginia"?
Jefferson proposes a plan for the eventual emancipation of slaves born after a certain date, but insists they must be colonized and separated from white society, as he doubted the possibility of integration.
How does the author characterize Jefferson's attitude in his family letters?
The author notes that while Jefferson sometimes treated his slaves with a degree of personal respect, he simultaneously viewed them as property and as inherently inferior, highlighting a profound moral discrepancy.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2008, Thomas Jefferson and Slavery, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118432
