Many argue that the pen is mightier than the sword, but there is nothing mighty about writing something without meaning. Historically, speaking “during the first fifteen years following its adoption … the Declaration of Independence seems to have been all but forgotten” (Finkelman). Thomas Jefferson, widely known for writing the Declaration of Independence and declaring “all men are created equal,” is constantly and wrongfully credited with the insertion of equality for all in America. In comparison to his fellow founding fathers, he was a radical white supremacist and took actions to preserve white superiority and the institution of slavery itself.
Prior to the American Revolution, slavery was accepted by most colonists as a natural institution. …show more content…
Beginning with the inheritance of slaves from his father-in-law, throughout his lifetime he “owned more than 600 slaves. At any one time about 100 slaves lived on the mountain; the highest slave population, in 1817, was 140” (Wiencek 2). Regardless of familial ties between slaves, “he sold at least 85 humans in a 10-year period to raise cash to buy wine, art and other luxury goods” (Finkelman) .Jefferson’s plantation is often viewed by historians to be a relatively benevolent environment for slaves, although this is not entirely true. This is because Jefferson himself did not directly punish slaves, but he did order other workers of his to enforce and instill discipline(Wiencek 9). Interestingly enough, the second governor of Illinois, Edward Coles, once sent Jefferson a letter saying, “I’m planning to free my slaves”, to which Jefferson replied, "Don 't do it. Keep your slaves. Be a good master. Don 't free your slaves" (“Interview with Historian Paul Finkelman), exemplifying the conscious decision to support slavery despite his neighbors. Furthermore, unlike many slaveowners at the time, Jefferson did not just participate in the slave trade, “He pioneered the monetizing of slaves, just as he pioneered the industrialization and diversification of slavery” (Wiencek 7). Jefferson reinvented slavery to maximize his profits, the first to ever do so, proving himself …show more content…
However, “Jefferson’s utterances on freedom and liberty are like the neutron bombs of words… They pack terrific force, but they seem not to have affected very many eighteenth century black lives” (Wilkinson 5). A Virginian and abolitionist from the generation following Jefferson’s lifetime commented on “Jefferson’s enduring reputation as a would-be emancipator, remarked scornfully, ‘Never did a man achieve more fame for what he did not do’” (Wiencek). Jefferson’s definition of “all men” was limited solely to white men, excluding other races, and even white women. Jefferson truly exemplifies that paradox of the 18th century, as he called for equality, but took steps in the complete opposite direction (Wiencek 1). As a highly educated man who dreamt of freedom for himself and his fellow Englishmen, he was fully aware of the unfairness of slavery, yet let it happen, and took measures to even preserve it, all so he could benefit
Prior to the American Revolution, slavery was accepted by most colonists as a natural institution. …show more content…
Beginning with the inheritance of slaves from his father-in-law, throughout his lifetime he “owned more than 600 slaves. At any one time about 100 slaves lived on the mountain; the highest slave population, in 1817, was 140” (Wiencek 2). Regardless of familial ties between slaves, “he sold at least 85 humans in a 10-year period to raise cash to buy wine, art and other luxury goods” (Finkelman) .Jefferson’s plantation is often viewed by historians to be a relatively benevolent environment for slaves, although this is not entirely true. This is because Jefferson himself did not directly punish slaves, but he did order other workers of his to enforce and instill discipline(Wiencek 9). Interestingly enough, the second governor of Illinois, Edward Coles, once sent Jefferson a letter saying, “I’m planning to free my slaves”, to which Jefferson replied, "Don 't do it. Keep your slaves. Be a good master. Don 't free your slaves" (“Interview with Historian Paul Finkelman), exemplifying the conscious decision to support slavery despite his neighbors. Furthermore, unlike many slaveowners at the time, Jefferson did not just participate in the slave trade, “He pioneered the monetizing of slaves, just as he pioneered the industrialization and diversification of slavery” (Wiencek 7). Jefferson reinvented slavery to maximize his profits, the first to ever do so, proving himself …show more content…
However, “Jefferson’s utterances on freedom and liberty are like the neutron bombs of words… They pack terrific force, but they seem not to have affected very many eighteenth century black lives” (Wilkinson 5). A Virginian and abolitionist from the generation following Jefferson’s lifetime commented on “Jefferson’s enduring reputation as a would-be emancipator, remarked scornfully, ‘Never did a man achieve more fame for what he did not do’” (Wiencek). Jefferson’s definition of “all men” was limited solely to white men, excluding other races, and even white women. Jefferson truly exemplifies that paradox of the 18th century, as he called for equality, but took steps in the complete opposite direction (Wiencek 1). As a highly educated man who dreamt of freedom for himself and his fellow Englishmen, he was fully aware of the unfairness of slavery, yet let it happen, and took measures to even preserve it, all so he could benefit