ipl-logo

Was Thomas Jefferson Portrayed To Banneker?

1020 Words5 Pages

Thomas Jefferson was one of the key founding fathers for our amazing country America. He was vital in the separation from Great Britain. He inspired courage in the patriots to encourage them to fight for their freedom. He was also insert mental in the writing of the declaration of independence. These major feats have made Jefferson a huge part of Americas past and made it so he will never be forgotten. Jefferson did some action and has some beliefs that are quite questionable by todays standards. This includes his beliefs about slavery and his multiple times changing stances. Thomas Jefferson one of Americas great founding fathers fought for his peoples freedom. Despite Thomas Jefferson being one of Americas found fathers was he fighting for …show more content…

(Jefferson to Banneker)” What he is portraying to Banneker is that he cares for everyone yet he says it in a rhetorical way. As said above he calls the Africans in the slave system “black brethren” as if he is actually trying to combat the atrocities caused the slave owners including himself. Jefferson also does not comment in his letter whether he liked the almanac that Banneker sent or what he thinks about the major problems he raised. This either shows Jefferson does not want to state his opinions or he does not respect Banneker enough to provide him with an …show more content…

This may seem reasonable until it is made clear that this also means that a mans freedom is being controlled. Jefferson feels that it is the governments right to determine a mans freedom. In the letter to Edward Coles he writes, “ He thinks that because the government has laws saying slaves cannot go free so they might as well be put to use and worked. (Jefferson to Coles)” Jefferson is stating to cole, a man who despised slavery, that slaves might as well be used because their government says it is okay. Considering Jefferson was a lifetime slave owner supposedly for the reason he is allowed to.Thomas Jefferson was a very firm believer that a mans rights is determined by the individuals Ruler/Government. This may seem reasonable until it is made clear that this also means that a mans freedom is being controlled. Jefferson feels that it is the governments right to determine a mans freedom. In the letter to Edward Coles he writes, “He thinks that because the government has laws saying slaves cannot go free so they might as well be put to use and worked. (Jefferson to Coles)” Jefferson is stating to cole, a man who despised slavery, that slaves might as well be used because the government says it is okay. Considering Jefferson was a lifetime slave owner this can be hard to

Open Document