certainly their crimes against humanity as being slave owners was one of the most heinous crimes committed on a large scale in US history, even Thomas jefferson who owned more than 200 slaves said it was wrong on at least two occasions, once in a letter to a friend and once in a paragraph that was deleted in a oringinal draft of the constitutuon. So why do we put their pictures on money right near "In God we trust"?
2006-08-15 03:11:24 · 10 answers · asked by ranger12 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Because they also formed the country that we currently live in. Many of our leaders had slaves back in those days. It was not considered such a bad thing at the time. Not all slave owners mistreated their slaves. That was really something that came in the next few years. Also, a quick history lesson for you is that slaves were not just here in the US. The African slave trade, in which black people sold other black people to white people, also sent many slaves to South America and Europe. The slave trade started in America back when it was made up of English colonies, not the United States. By time we declared our independence, slaves had been in America for over 150 years! We didn't know any different.
Who would you rather see on it? Bill Clinton who cheated on his wife? Bush who has sent people to war? How about Nixon who claimed he wasn't a crook? Or Hayes who stole the election in 1876?
2006-08-15 03:21:26 · answer #1 · answered by a6stringjedi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whiskytango shouldn't try to shift the blame onto the Europeans - had America remained a British colony slavery would have been abolished there decades earlier than it was.
As for Thomas Jefferson, it is unfair to judge an 18th century man by 21st or even 20th century standards. His net contribution to the country was a positive one.
2006-08-15 06:59:46 · answer #2 · answered by Dunrobin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do people still blame the slave trade on Americans? They didn't start it, the Europeans and various African tribes did! No one ever states that fact. White Americans are not the bane of black Americans. The blacks here are not held down or back anymore than whites. Its all a matter of class. Born poor? You will more than likely remain poor. Unless you WANT to make your self better.
While you are on the issues of slavery did you know that Gen. Robert E. Lee was AGAINST slavery and the war? History is great as soon as you find out the whole story.
2006-08-15 03:23:16 · answer #3 · answered by Whiskeytangofoxtrot 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is true for everyone........ that human nature is composed of the highest qualities and the basest flaws, all coexisting in each of us.
All historical figures are known for their great achievements, but it would be foolish to assume they were without imperfections. What you say is true, but you disregard the huge contributions they also made to America.
I'll bet that if you honestly took a look at the people you admire in your own personal life, you could find fault with them, too. No one is perfect.
2006-08-15 03:44:42 · answer #4 · answered by Katie My Katie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Founding Fathers are founding fathers. Though you really only have complaints about two of the portraits: Washington and Jeffereson. The rest of the people depicted did not own slaves to the best of my knowledge.
-Dio
2006-08-15 03:46:23 · answer #5 · answered by diogenese19348 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet prejiduce old Bush has slaves hidden in Texas right now. maybe he should be on money. I hate Bush.
2006-08-15 03:29:56 · answer #6 · answered by Eric 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people always like their god to be in their image.
it's less intimidateing that way.
2006-08-15 17:57:44 · answer #7 · answered by Stuie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
moo
2006-08-15 12:23:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To identify what currency it is
2006-08-15 03:17:46 · answer #9 · answered by sobrangtangatangako 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to make them look pretty
2006-08-15 05:57:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋