Thomas Jefferson, who the Democrats love to revile as a devil these days, actually wanted to abolish slavery. If I remember correctly, he tried to write it into the first draft of the constitution but had to take it out to keep the southern states in. He also advocated a gradual abolishing of slavery, starting with outlawing the transport of new slaves from Africa into the states. He was worried about a wholesale, sudden freeing of slaves because of the rebellion in Haiti (they killed every white person, and many mixed). I don't know why he didn't free his own slaves, or even free them in his will as George Washington did, but he wasn't an evil person. Also, the famous "he had children with his slave" thing is not actually a fact, but a possibility. It was either him or his half-brother, who apparently enjoyed spending time in the slave cabins, which Thomas did not do.
He might have had a relationship with Sally Hemings, who was half-sister to his wife. She was actually sent to France to accompany his daughter apparently (just looked this up), which is when they speculate Jefferson began a relationship with her. The rumors were started by a political opponent. Many people claim it's a fact, and it's including black people, so he's a rapist and that's that. Other historians say it isn't proven, and that Thomas's brother or nephew was a more likely candidate, based on accounts of both their characters. So, who knows. I think he should have just freed all his slaves since he wanted it to happen anyway, but I guess it gives everyone a good reason to dunk on a Founding Father.
Remember reading a letter he wrote to his daughter about the snake media and Dc folks spreading false rumors about him and that woman. Always just thought the false rumors was that he abused her or something. Either way, they probably had much more freedom and better life as his 'slaves' than as freemen during that time. Who knows? History is corrupted, no way to know for sure
Thomas Jefferson, who the Democrats love to revile as a devil these days, actually wanted to abolish slavery. If I remember correctly, he tried to write it into the first draft of the constitution but had to take it out to keep the southern states in. He also advocated a gradual abolishing of slavery, starting with outlawing the transport of new slaves from Africa into the states. He was worried about a wholesale, sudden freeing of slaves because of the rebellion in Haiti (they killed every white person, and many mixed). I don't know why he didn't free his own slaves, or even free them in his will as George Washington did, but he wasn't an evil person. Also, the famous "he had children with his slave" thing is not actually a fact, but a possibility. It was either him or his half-brother, who apparently enjoyed spending time in the slave cabins, which Thomas did not do.
Didnt Thomas have a romantic relationship with one of his slaves? Even sent her to France to get educated or smth?
Yes he did, and thus, ironically, a large percent of American blacks can probably trace their ancestry to Jefferson
He might have had a relationship with Sally Hemings, who was half-sister to his wife. She was actually sent to France to accompany his daughter apparently (just looked this up), which is when they speculate Jefferson began a relationship with her. The rumors were started by a political opponent. Many people claim it's a fact, and it's including black people, so he's a rapist and that's that. Other historians say it isn't proven, and that Thomas's brother or nephew was a more likely candidate, based on accounts of both their characters. So, who knows. I think he should have just freed all his slaves since he wanted it to happen anyway, but I guess it gives everyone a good reason to dunk on a Founding Father.
Remember reading a letter he wrote to his daughter about the snake media and Dc folks spreading false rumors about him and that woman. Always just thought the false rumors was that he abused her or something. Either way, they probably had much more freedom and better life as his 'slaves' than as freemen during that time. Who knows? History is corrupted, no way to know for sure