Writer Choice

40955For the Jefferson response paper topics, you should use the resources (the movie and the PDF containing background info on Jefferson and Hemings’ relationship).Movie Link: (https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/thomas-jefferson) The Sources must be from the PDF or the movie as provided.
Topic #3: Read the handout detailing what is now known about Jefferson’s relationship with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings. Now that DNA tests have proven that he had children with Hemings, and that he held those children in slavery for most of his life, the discrepancy between Jefferson’s belief that “all men are created equal” and the reality of his life as a plantation owner seems even more problematic. How do you feel about this? Discuss in detail in your groups. How does this fact complicate ideals of the enlightenment? Jefferson was by no means untroubled by the question of slavery–he sponsored unsuccessful political action to weaken or end slavery on several occasions and he devised elaborate architectural tricks at Monticello to disguise the slave labor that was foundational to its operations. But despite his discomfort with slavery, he never brought himself to free his slaves, nor did he free them after his death. Make sure you are using textual support in your response!