American history help. about thomas jefferson and slavery.?

Question

im not asking for you to do my essay, but can you please just give
you thoughts on it and ur opinion.
heres my assignment
Explore the Library of Congress's "Was It Compromise or Hypocrisy?" website. The question is whether or not the phrase "All men are created equal" honestly belonged in the Declaration of Independence, when so many of the signers of this document owned slaves. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the document, himself owned slaves.

Look over the evidence for both sides presented on the site. Then choose a side, for or against, and write a letter as if you are writing to the letters column of a local newspaper explaining why you do or do not believe Thomas Jefferson was a hypocrite. No matter which side you choose to argue you will have to address and debunk the arguments of the opposite side, so be sure to do your research. Cite any sources you use.

here is the links
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/01/equal/comp.html

any help is greatly appriciated

Answer 1

DURING THAT AND LATER PERIODS OF OUR COUNTRY, BLACK WERE NOT CONSIDERED HUMAN ERGO NOT MEN AND THERE WERE DEBATES AS TO WHETHER THEY POSSESSED SOULS. JEFFERSON WAS FOLLOWING THE DICTATES OF THE TIMES IN WHICH HE LIVED AND ALL MEN IN HIS MIND REFERRED TO ALL WHITE MEN.

Answer 2

I think it can be argued that TJ was not really a hypocrite, but a product of his times. Back then, being even remotely sympathetic to the plight of slaves was a very radical idea. Most people grew up with the idea that slavery was just a normal part of life - just like we grew up with the idea that it was wrong. Most people never thought to question it. One had to give TJ credit for being a fairly liberal thinker on this idea.