Thomas Jefferson & Slavery

Thomas Jefferson's controversial relationship with slavery, explained in the context of his time.
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0:00 Intro
02:00 The Enlightenment
05:05 The End Of Slavery?
08:26 The Defense Of Slavery
17:44 Emancipation Plans
25:26 Jefferson As A Slaveholder
29:28 Conclusion
Sources:
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding - David Hume
Two Treatises Of Government - John Locke
What Is Enlightenment? - Immanuel Kant
Empire Of Liberty - Gordon Wood
Slavery and Sectional Strife in the Early American Republic - Gary Kornblith
Notes On The State Of Virginia - Thomas Jefferson
Farm Book - Thomas Jefferson
Wolf By The Ears - John Chester Miller
Appeal - David Walker
Jefferson - John Boles
The Rise Of American Democracy - Sean Wilentz
The Hemingses Of Monticello - Annette Gordon-Reed
The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution - Bernard Bailyn
Memoirs Of A Monticello Slave - Isaac Jefferson
Democracy In America - Alexis De Tocqueville
Those Who Labor For My Happiness - Lucia Stanton
Inhuman Bondage - David Davis

[@realryanchapman]

Thank you to everyone who supports these projects on Patreon. I wouldn't be able to devote so much time and so many resources to one video otherwise. I'm trying to make the best work I can and the donations really do make it possible. If you'd like to chip in and support me, check out www.patreon.com/rchapman. Video notes below: I've been trying to figure out how much evidence to provide on screen for what I say in the video. In the past year or so I've shifted towards showing evidence pretty continuously throughout the entire video. But then it seems like if there are only a few claims left with no evidence shown, and people single out those claims and believe I made them up. Showing evidence for literally every claim, I think, would be exhausting to watch, so I'm not sure how to solve that. For this one, I saw a number of people single out the section where I said according to my research, slavery persisted in the South because white Southerners didn't want to work outdoors in hot climates, and say it's absurd and I made it up. To explain why I constructed that section the way I did, I thought 1) it's not a key point for the piece, and 2) it's common sense. So I thought I'd give the audience a break on reading text for that section. I also showed some supporting text from Gordon Wood on how the philosophy of labor was shifting in both the North and South at the time. I figured that was enough, and if people were intrigued or skeptical on that point they could research it on their own. To address it here I'd start by asking: how else would you explain why the further south you went, the more adamant people became about keeping slavery? Why were those same people so work avoidant compared to people in the North? Why was the Deep South so firm on slavery, while the North gave it up within a generation? I'm curious if people have alternative explanations, because while researching for this piece I literally did not come across one. Every source that covered it said the same thing: climate. That was also the prevailing take when this was all happening. Perhaps some quotes from primary sources will do. In 1804, when senators were debating whether to restrict the importation of slaves into Louisiana, GA rep Jackson said: 'Gentlemen from north & the east do not know that white men cannot endure the heat of a vertical sun - they cannot cultivate and raise a crop of rice - negroes are necessary for that country.' and 'a white man cannot cultivate three acres of rice, and yet Georgia is not so warm as Louisiana. You cannot prevent slavery - neither laws moral or human can do it - men will be governed by their interest, not the law...' Jefferson himself in Notes on the State of Virginia: 'in a warm climate, no man will labour for himself who can make another labour for him,' after saying blacks are 'more tolerant of heat, and less so of cold, than the whites.' Some people also seem offended by my use of 'alleged' when talking about Jefferson and Sally Hemings, apparently because they thought it should be treated as fact. From what I can tell the evidence does strongly support the claim that Jefferson fathered children with her. The DNA test only says it was a Jefferson male (of which there were about ten at Monticello) who fathered one of her kids, but Jefferson was with Sally every time she probably conceived, which is considered strong evidence. Generally speaking, there was significant pushback/skepticism from the academic community in the '90s when Annette Gordon-Reed published 'Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemings,' which was the work that got this conversation seriously going. The pushback was mostly based on the fact that Jefferson hardly ever mentioned her in his writing (I think 4 times in about 18,000 letters), that it seemed out of character for him to keep his children as slaves, that people around Jefferson hardly mentioned her, and that we know so little about Sally. Then the DNA test came out, and Gordon-Reed published 'The Hemings Of Monticello,' which basically said Jefferson's behavior step-by-step indicates he had a relationship with Hemings, and his silence on her is consistent with behavior of other white male Virginian slaveowners, and that people around him would also understand to keep quiet about her. Now most professional opinion (that I've read) does conclude that he fathered children with Sally, but I still thought it would be wrong to treat it as fact, knowing it's a controversial subject, and knowing I wasn't going to take the time in the video to go through all this. So I just said 'alleged' and left it to the comments in case people disagreed or were offended. Hope that cleared things up. I've seen a couple people flag Ben Franklin's anti-slavery activity to refute what I said about none of the Founders 'risking their careers' to end slavery. Franklin's activity was at the very end of his life, which meant 1) he wasn't risking his career over it, and 2) his activity was after the crucial time window I was talking about in that section, when slavery was being widely debated and the defense of it hadn't solidified. I also didn't claim that the Founders literally said nothing about the abolition of slavery. Only that in the years that crucially mattered they didn't press the issue. They overwhelmingly focused their efforts on other issues, like the formation of the union/constitution, diplomacy, and freedom of religion. From my research, in those years Jefferson was actually the most outspoken against slavery of them all (he attempted three major instances of it afaik), but he cared far more about other issues (like freedom of religion), and his 'anti-slavery' stance also came with his highly impractical deportation clause. Last note - many comments say it was Jefferson's debt that prevented him from freeing his slaves. I have never seen a professional make this claim. The reason why is because Jefferson said what he would do with his slaves if he ever got out of debt. He said he would improve the living conditions of his slaves. Not free them. Also he lived an extravagant lifestyle, for example constantly hosting guests and serving fine wine from around the world, and taking on huge expenses trying to turn Monticello into basically his dream home. He didn't live as someone trying to get out of debt in order to free his slaves. In short, the claim doesn't make sense if you study him. - Ryan

[@kaerakh4267]

As always, your work is appreciated Ryan, thank you.

[@JChrist0AD]

May you do a video on anarchism?

[@gg_rider]

Some Black people today are red pilled that White society overall is superior (AK NATION NEWS) .. never to claim EVERY White is superior to EVERY Black. One book I'm reading that's from the 1980s says African Black people have no doubts that they could never have created the technology or social order that Whites create. They also aren't ashamed or offended by the topic. Only Africans _educated_ in White universities learned to manipulate White guilt, he explains. I have not had direct experience with Africans. I did read a story about a group of students at University of Nigeria who lynched (not hanging) a student, killing him, over accusations he stole a laptop. That was about two months ago. Look it up. That's Scientific Maximum Shishi. At least one South African Black woman published a video of herself asking White people to come back and run their country, because their electricity and everything else is collapsing.

[@paneraemployee7549]

I love history and I love your content so please keep it up.

[@docjaramillo]

I hope you make 10x what a college professor teaching American history makes… not that I wish those ol guys ill. But you are a genuine Prof. Thanks for your erudition, sensitivity to the issue, and concise presentation of very complex issues

[@williewonka6694]

John Adams was also a product of his times. John and Abigail were given a slave as a wedding present, which they refused to accept. Both of them, and particularly Abigail, worked their small farm throughout their lives and their wealth and properties steadily grew, while Jefferson spent his life squandering inherited wealth and living on the backs of his slaves. Despite his narratives for freedom and liberty. Observing the lives of these two founders definitely provides insights into human nature. Pity that the Adamses are not better remembered.

[@byronhunt6124]

I was thinking exactly the same thoughts while watching this video

[@carlabroderick5508]

Jefferson’s insolvency is usually related to his indulgence in politics to the expense of his farm’s management. What is the evidence he squandered money?

[@warlordofbritannia]

Not even mentioning Sally Hemings was also an interesting choice. A good historian would address the flaws in his thesis-this is the first video from this channel I’ve seen but *something* tells me he’s just a partisan hack pretending to intellectualism… Edit: Yes, I know he mentions Hemings in passing at one point. If anything that makes it worse because he clearly knows about the whole situation but ignored it in this video specifically Jefferson the slaveholder!

[@VideoDefinition]

​@@warlordofbritanniaI think you may be the partisan hack who was hoping to find something to confirm you bias

[@benavraham4397]

Thank you for your enlightening comment. However, giving up one slave is very different from giving up over a hundred.

[@ericpeterson8732]

The more I hear about Jefferson, the more I think the Epic Rap Battle (ERB) guys got him pegged correctly. A man of principles that didn't risk his economic standing to live up to those principles. Having Frederick Douglass point these things out was brilliant.

[@jillfryer6699]

his first principle was his economic standing

[@tghays]

He lacked the courage of his convictions.

[@huntclanhunt9697]

To be fair, even great men of high principles can stumble when it comes to the well-being of their kids. He loved his kids, and as much as he hated slavery, he wasn't willing to risk his kid's wellbeing.

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@huntclanhunt9697 *his white kids. The children he sired on Sally Hemings he kept enslaved until his death.

[@lastcuneyt3334]

He enslaved hundreds of other peoples kids tho 🤣@@huntclanhunt9697

[@WeeedyMcMeth]

To say that every “pale” person hated labour and wants slavery as a scheme to avoid hard work ignores the fact that every one except the richest 2% of the population had to do hard labour.

[@ContactsNfilters]

I wonder if it's for the same reasons that poor people defend billionaires extorting their workers today. One day I too could be rich! 😂

[@curtisnewton2295]

After 5 minutes of watching this video, I'm not sure whether I'm joyfully surprised by its thoughtfulness and nuanced perspectives, or saddened by the very fact that this makes it so utterly unique on KZbin (or among *any* discussions of political topics nowadays). Thank you!

[@niclasnyberg4173]

you gotta look harder, there's a lot more thoughtful and nuanced content on youtube than corporate TV, i promise. you can find post grad dissertation videos from places like harvard and multiple hour lectures from oxford and the like on here as well as plenty of independent people who do good work. edit: no joke, my recommendations are brimming with similar content

[@Deepintent]

Start with Thomas Sowell.

[@ejkboxing]

There's no nuance. There are just lies & crimes.

[@curtisnewton2295]

@@ejkboxing And idiots too, yes.

[@amorales9613]

All this video did was confirm your beliefs. Dig Deeper.

[@j.a.svoboda9805]

"...tragically human." One of the best descriptions of the man I've heard.

[@DaenerysStormborn-cw5ws]

How about "filthy RAPIST"? In an act of unfathomable cruelty, blackmailed Sally Hemmings into staying his slave by holding her (THEIR) children HOSTAGE. Hero worship is for FOOLS. Take the good with the bad but DON'T make excuses when your hero is a louse. CRUELTY is NEVER anything but CRUELTY, now, then or EVER.

[@huizhechen3779]

The phrase should be, I think, "inevitably human", for he was only human & not an "angel".

[@euphegenia]

As someone who has read a ton on Jefferson and his writings, this video is very very good.

[@2MinuteHockey]

why no mention of Tadeusz Kosciuszko donating his estate to Jefferson to buy the freedom of however many slaves it would afford and TJ pocketed the money?

[@Boethius411]

@@2MinuteHockey not the only thing left out. I guess not everything could be included, but it is interesting what made it in and what did. Jefferson was a complicated human. His words and actions seem irreconcilable at times. He did things like promote and sign the Act Prohibiting the Importation of Slaves, but still of course, profited from his own slaves. I suppose it is up to us to weigh both the good and the bad for ourselves.

[@2MinuteHockey]

@@Boethius411 sounds like "altruistic capitalism" of 1800s where he did what was "right" and profited by means that were obviously wrong. kinda like if the largest land owner in a monopoly pushes for land development/sale moratoriums

[@Boethius411]

@@2MinuteHockey as opposed to communist altruism in the 20th? You know, like collectivising everything down to 8 acres and sending all the kulaks to the gulag for hoarding grain? From each according to their ability eh comrade?

[@theproceedings4050]

​​@@2MinuteHockey You mean Thaddeus Kosciuszko? You do know he had multiple wills and because of the disputes the money never even made it to Jefferson, right? Pulaski never gave money to Jefferson.

[@andywomack3414]

According to one scholar I watched give a lecture on C-Span there is a draft of the Declaration that has in Jefferson's hand "life, liberty and property." On that draft, the word "property" had been struck through, and above it, in John Adams hand was the phrase "pursuit of happiness." Jefferson may have personally copied out the final version of the Declaration, but he is not it's sole author.

[@marykatherinegoode2773]

Most accurately, Adams should be credited as the editor of that document. Franklin I would wager would have been the one who understood the Court of St. James the best, and would have known what would and would not get the attention of the king and Parliament. His job was to be the wise owl telling how to make them listen. Adams I suspect was there to keep Thomas on the ball: “We cannot use that phrase, Tom. The counter argument would be that we are all propertied men and they could build a case that the colonists who have most whine the loudest. What is in it for everybody else that has been afflicted with the machinations of George III? “ Adams was the most mulishly stubborn, most out of his gourd when angry, and was the most cantankerous son of a bitch in Independence Hall. He was also a shade better at lawyering than Tom, largely because to him there was nothing he liked better than an argument. (If he had an all out loud fight with Abigail on his wedding night,the world should not be surprised: for John, that was his idea of foreplay. ) Adams made a rousing speech, the content of which is lost to time, just a few days before the vote. There was a thunderstorm outside. Independence Hall would have been darker than usual as this is a time before kerosene or electric lightbulbs. I am sure the effect of rolling thunder and blasts of lightning would have set up quite a show that only added to Adams's speech. It certainly helped with the final push. (Jefferson hated to speak in public, because he had a higher pitched voice than most men, and a slight lisp. At the time his wife was very ill due to miscarriage, so his mind was elsewhere.) Adams unfortunately got in his own way a lot with an uncontrollable temper and a bit of a sour exterior. He was hypercritical of others and not Mr. Friendly, unless you were a woman (he would not dare be as big of an asshole in front of a lady: women were too tender to be subjected to his usual grousing and grumping in his eyes.) For many years, no one knew there was a much nicer side to him that he kept hidden. One of his grandsons or great grandsons, one of those was the one to publish the letters between his wife and himself; his diary came later. It is one of the reasons why he did not get the credit he was due until much later than Jefferson. (Note: many scholars believe he had some sort of metabolic disorder, and possibly was bipolar as well. There were episodes during the Revolution where he would become incredibly sick: he literally would work to the point of collapse. In the play 1776, the opening number has a whole chorus of men singing for John Adams to sit down. In reality, they should’ve been singing, “Lay down, John, lay down!!”😊😊)

[@bwhog]

@@marykatherinegoode2773 Jefferson was the more articulate and better writer than the others. He was tasked with creating the document. Franklin and Adams acted primarily as critics and advisors and thus made only a few notable alterations. Most of the document that was submitted to the Congress was Jefferson's original text. It is there that the problem of hashing out the exact language and what should or should not be included took place.

[@davehug]

Very much he is what you are describing is an editorial alteration not an authorship of the body of work.

[@alainaaugust1932]

The Sally Hemings story is also complex. Her father was the white owner of the plantation belonging to Jefferson’s father-in-law. Her mother’s parents were also a white father, black mother. So Sally and Jefferson’s wife were half sisters, looking very much alike. Upon becoming Jefferson’s wife, she took Sally with her to assure her sister would never have to work in the fields. Having suffered at the hands of her own step-mother, when dying she begged Tom to swear he would never put a step-mother over their children. He so swore. His children with Sally all looked very white. He educated the boys in a trade, the girls in the arts and graces expected of ladies. As each reached adulthood, he sent them west in a wagon with the tools of their trade-quite similar to how he wrote liberated slaves should be sent off. Of these children only one retained and passed down the memory that Jefferson was the patriarch of their family. It’s thought the others married white partners out west and never revealed who they were. It was more important for their children to be considered fully white than to be known as Jefferson’s grandchildren by a black woman. The one family who kept the black identity claimed for over a hundred years that they were descended from Jefferson. Historians declared them hoaxers. In the 1990’s at last DNA tests were run, their DNA and that of Jefferson’s known descendants through his daughter’s line, the Randolphs of Virginia. It was a match. Think of it: many of Jefferson’s descendants thrive in America today and don’t even know the author of the Declaration is their ancestor.

[@charlesyoung7436]

The DNA test only showed that one of Sally Hemming's children, her son Eston, had Jefferson family connections, and his descendants were not the branch that had had claimed this. Because Jefferson had no sons, the DNA results could not prove that Thomas Jefferson was Eston's father. He, or any one of his nephews might have been. Also, to answer the question put forth in the title of this video, Jefferson could not have freed all his slaves, because, when he died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of independence, Virginia law would not allow it. Slaves were considered chattel property, and were thus subject to sale to pay off a decedent's debts. Jefferson was a brilliant man, but had extravagant tastes, and many creditors who had to be paid out of his estate. before those slaves he had freed in his will could actually receive their bequests. His heirs barely kept Monticello briefly before having to sell it off.

[@mnfowler1]

@@charlesyoung7436 You buried the lead here. Yours is, indeed, another way to literally answer the question posed by the posted video. It is often pointed out that George Washington freed his slaves while Thomas Jefferson did not, but Washington had more discretion than Jefferson in this matter, not only because Jefferson was in debt while Washington was not, but because the laws had changed between the deaths of Washington and Jefferson, restricting the right of a master to free his slaves in his will. Jefferson's daughter, in fact, freed slaves as instructed by her father outside of his will because freeing them in his will would have invited his creditors to challenge the will.

[@isaacclark9825]

@@mnfowler1 Jefferson was able to free his slaves. The law only required that the free slaves would have to leave Virginia. I think it is total nonsense to make money by participating in slavery, and then to pretend that you are now in debt if you free them. You created that situation.

[@andylangeland496]

@@isaacclark9825 You are correct on the first point - the newly freedpeople would be required to leave the Commonwealth without explicit permission from the county of residence... but I believe the issue with the slaves being a part of the mortgage of the land was that if TJ sold the land to pay his many debts, the slaves would have been sold with the land, as they were part of the collateral on the debts. They were not held in title as separate property (something to that effect anyway)

[@isaacclark9825]

@@andylangeland496 And yet some slaves were eventually freed. I think that shows that you are mistaken.

[@SolracCAP]

You are the kind of content creator and voice we need in this day and age.

[@2MinuteHockey]

why no mention of Casimir Pulaski donating his estate to Jefferson to buy the freedom of however many slaves it would afford and TJ pocketed the money?

[@xIQ188x]

@@2MinuteHockey because this isn’t about history, this is about telling lies so people will stop being mean to his favorite slaver.

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

Too bad his actions didn't match his many writings about man's basic right of freedom

[@hmm7258]

​@@2MinuteHockeywasn't it Kościuszko, not Pułaski?

[@Ephisus]

A subject sorely needing the nuance that Ryan Chapman can provide.

[@drandrewm]

The real question is, who gets to be nuanced and for what purpose? We have decided that Hitler or Idi Amin, for example, should never be nuanced, but that the founding fathers be seen as "great but flawed" men. Why? I enjoyed the video and believed that this information should be widely taught albeit I did not agree with everything said. For the average Black American, however, I suspect that this video was just a bit too "nuanced."

[@QuixEnd]

​@@drandrewm It's impossible to disregard all nuance, we just choose when to and when not to focus on it, and for good reason. It feels wrong if I pointed out that MLK cheated on his wife, or that Nazi Germany _did_ have amazing scientists. But other nuances feel totally legitimate to point out. I think that's the harder question to think about. *Both sides are also just reacting to the others reaction at this point, so it always seems unnecessarily intense. We live in a clown world

[@BS-vx8dg]

@@drandrewm "We have decided that Hitler or Idi Amin, for example, should never be nuanced" Andrew, have you seen Ryan's video on Nazism? IIRC, it is more thoughtful than the typical treatment of Hitler and the Nazis.

[@drandrewm]

@@QuixEnd Take the idea that Jefferson was relatively more benevolent than the usual slave holder...that's beyond "nuance" to the point of being propaganda, and it was unnecessary. But, there are people who "needed" to hear Ryan say this for reasons I still don't understand.

[@drandrewm]

@@BS-vx8dg I haven't, but my point was aimed at American sentiments overall. Thomas Jefferson was a great American thinker, but he was also, extremely wealthy (via inheritance), which made him entitled, at times cruel, opportunistic, and hypocritical. His ideas about black inferiority were a personal convenience, but the effects were severe and long lasting. IMO I was actually fine with the post overall, but it seemed like Ryan was more than happy to recount select propaganda. (eg) TJ broke up families like all slave holders, especially when he needed money. Ryan suggested that TJ hired cruel overseers because the nice ones were in short supply (really?). I had a long conversation with a historian at Monticello about 10 years ago. He indicated that many visitors are often insistent (some to the point of being belligerent) that he tell them that Jefferson was "good." It seems like Ryan understands this dynamic and played to it a little. To be clear, I like and follow Ryan and will continue to watch his channel, and more importantly, will continue to appreciate the conversations his videos generate.

[@jwestney2859]

Amazing the way you tell this story -- heart wrenching story -- with text on the screen. And you highlight each passage as you read it. Producing this video must have taken weeks and weeks. It must be part of a life-long labor. I really admire your work!

[@lisaflint7027]

Although I was an avid American history enthusiast growing up, I had only a rudimentary understanding of Jefferson, that is until my father gave me the book 'American Sphinx' by J. Ellis. When I finished it my father asked my opinion, all I could say was that Jefferson was a very complicated and conflicted man, he smiled and said "Yes, he was". Also, I just finished 'Washington, A Life' by Chernow, (a most excellent book btw) and found that Washington was of the same thread as Jefferson, they were both men of their times. Excellent video! Your videos should be required viewing in classrooms. Thank you!

[@xIQ188x]

Lol your father didn’t do that, no one’s father sucks that hard.

[@warlordofbritannia]

The difference is that Washington freed his slaves while Jefferson kept his and probably had a gRapey relationship with one of them in particular. If Tommy J had followed Washington’s example there would be far less moral condemnation.

[@velindamitchell583]

Thomas Jefferson enjoyed living a grand lifestyle, which was far and away above his means. He left his surviving family with great debts. His slaves were sold off to pay thise debts. His extensive library of books were also sold to pay his debts. Actually everything was sold off and it was still not enough to cover his debts. His surviving grandson who "inherited" Jefferson's estate, paid on the debt the rest of his life.

[@Tht1Gy]

Thx for the book titles. I will endeavor to read them. Peace.

[@GunRunner3]

I am unable to comment on this video - THE CENSORS HAVE CHANGED MY IDENTIFICATION TO HITLER WITHOUT MY PERMISSION - BEAWARE

[@michaelpcoffee]

Everybody is a product of their times. The natural rights enlightenment is all the more miraculous because of that.

[@Doug_M]

Yeah, when looking at these historical people, you have to keep in mind that slavery had been a worldwide institution for thousands of years. Arabs did it. Africans did it. Asians did it. Europeans did it. It was everywhere. It was the West that mostly eradicated slavery, though it still goes on in parts of Africa and the ME.

[@marleybot9848]

Slavery is not mostly eradicated in the west at all, it just changed form and got disguised under other terms.

[@emberspirit6375]

Switch on ur brain...u dont have to be a rocket scientist to determine that slavery isnt good...ppl in ancient Greece knew that and i guarantee u that 99% of slave owners knew that too.Jefferson was just hypocrit and/or had tiny balls to stop doing what he believs is wrong. U must admit this simple FACT with neccessity or just admit that Jefferson was stupid like a chicken not being able to find whats right to do knowing that slavery is wrong😂😂😂

[@shawnpatton3795]

People are just typically sheep then?

[@An_Attempt]

@@Doug_M It still happens in the west, granted it is extremely illegal.

[@user-vf3gf4xq3v]

Seems to me Jefferson was a brilliant idealist, a hyper pragmatic man with deeply held rational beliefs, and a man who was prone to compromise his own rational thought when his self interests where on the line. Not much different than many people today.

[@MWhaleK]

Agreed, Jefferson's ideals at least should be celebrated and he should be remembered for them as well as for the bad stuff. We can't let the slave owning and treatment of slaves like Sally Hemmings to overshadow the good parts, at least not completely.

[@kisha1682]

What good parts. He’d die all over again seeing the freedom blacks have today!

[@JohnSmith-hs1hn]

E.g a hypocrite lol. Idealist and pragmatist, are mutually exclusive.

[@bretnicholson]

Excellent job. Thanks especially for the extensive use of primary resources. This is an excellent example of how history ought to be taught and learned.

[@alphacat9302]

I highly recommend reading the entire screenshots throughout this video. Some of the unread passages are important, such as Jefferson's repeated assertions any differences he did note were quite possibly a result of their terrible education, unfortunate position, etc. Given the time period, this seems quite an honest position to take - noting the differences but providing a rather progressive explanation for those differences.

[@4spooky8u]

Exactly, the context as to why Jefferson felt this way is often (as in this video) overlooked. What else was he supposed to think of a uneducated slaves who couldn't read or write. Critics of Jefferson and the Founders also severely downplay their fears of a race war, Americans in the early 19th century were all well aware of what had occurred in Saint Domingue and did not want that repeating here as well.

[@SuperStella1111]

It wasn't progressive, he was conservative. There were (largely working class) movements to end slavery all over the world. Ending the slave trade was a question that could get MILLIONS of people in places like England to sign petitions (which also happened). The reason we think it's "progressive" is because rich men's writing dominates our understanding of the time period. Poors always knew slavery was wrong. Good people always knew it was wrong.

[@LastBrigadier]

@@4spooky8u лмао сеемс лике тхеы фаилед.

[@alphacat9302]

@@SuperStella1111 yes, I see you can read the mind of all past '"poors".. they all looked at the slaves and wished they had that job, if only.

[@DaenerysStormborn-cw5ws]

Jefferson was a filthy rapist who, in an act of unfathomable cruelty, blackmailed Sally Hemmings into staying his slave by holding her (THEIR) children HOSTAGE. Hero worship is for FOOLS. Take the good with the bad but DON'T make excuses when your hero is a louse. CRUELTY is NEVER anything but CRUELTY, now, then or EVER.

[@biggerdoofus]

I'm skeptical that the anti-slavery passage being left in would've caused slavery to end sooner. I feel like it could've just as easily caused the entire revolution to fail or even caused the south and north to end up as different countries.

[@An_Attempt]

That is part of why that section was removed. It was a risky passage. It it was allowed to stay then the US would have been more ready to end the practice sooner but there was serious risk involved.

[@drmodestoesq]

And if the revolution failed the slaves would be freed sooner. The British Empire engaged in anti-slavery legislation long before post-revolutionary America.

[@reasonablespeculation3893]

@@drmodestoesq Maybe... . Or maybe the British, seeing the density of the black population in Southern regions, would have employed Jefferson's process of education and relocation. The British could see that the American Colonies were potentially the most valuable holding of the Empire. Sudden and dramatic disruption would not be in their interest.

[@RexFuturi]

​​@@drmodestoesq Bullsh!t. Britain promoted slavery in all of its colonies and trade partners until long past the point when they claimed to oppose slavery. Britain nearly intervened on behalf of the Confederacy to keep its supply of cheap cotton flowing.

[@chase_saddy]

@@reasonablespeculation3893 or you know just admit America was founded on awfulness and trying to get out of it with speculation is pretty silly. Like the English were literally on an anti slavery bend like most of the world. Why would they conveniently be as evil as Americans when it comes to slavery specifically?

[@BS-vx8dg]

Forgive me, Ryan. I saw the topic and, knowing its complexity and its capacity for stirring contemporary passions, doubted that you could successfully navigate the choppy waters. But once again you have proven to be *the* master at creating commentary that any open minded person on any side of this issue will respect. Beautifully done (as usual).

[@WetBoy]

Dumb and uninformed comment

[@Poosley]

*eyeroll*

[@candide1065]

Don't know if sarcasm or not but the dude is just reading books and articles on the internet and summs them up for stupid/lazy people who don't read books and need a half hour summary for everything like school kids. You're worshipping him like a god and even start your comment with a apology and a justification. Seek help.

[@artawhirler]

Excellent video on a complicated topic! Thanks! I especially like that you actually show the pages of text from which you are quoting, with the relevant sentences highlighted in yellow; and that down in the corner you show the book from which they are taken. After seeing this done just once, it is amazing to me that every history-related KZbinr doesn't do it. Again, thank you for an excellent video!

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Jefferson, like most of us, was faced by a moral dilemma. On the one hand, he could see the injustice inherent in the institution of slavery, yet he benefitted economically from it.

[@warlordofbritannia]

That’s called being a coward. Jefferson could have done the right thing, but he *chose* not to. With such a clear decision, all this talk about his apparent internal conflict is laughably shallow.

[@VideoDefinition]

​@@warlordofbritanniaOr he felt he could take care of his slaves better than if they were free in America.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Jefferson found an easy way to get a date.

[@travisthecancerpill3403]

​@@warlordofbritannia Actually the term is cognotive dissonance, Which most people expierence in some form or another. I can, on some level, relate to Jefferson when it comes to eating meat, something I do despite recognizing its clear ethical issues. Like Jefferson, I have tried to rationalize my behavior by attempting to justify it morally or make excuses for my participation in it.

[@darksu6947]

​@@travisthecancerpill3403 Plants are just as alive as animals. Have you never heard the lettuce scream while chewing up your salad?

[@donaldbutcher1260]

I appreciate your arguments for why we need to see Jefferson in the context of his times, still I am amazed by the fact that a man so enlightened could not come to the simple conclusion that he must free those he keeps in bondage and encourage others to do the same.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Cognitive dissonance is one helluva drug.

[@pickybusiness8549]

Humans are complicated creatures, sometimes we cannot see the truth right in front of our own eyes. I dont think he was a bad man, in fact I would say he was a good man, but he was a man of his time, and that comes with many problems.

[@Doutsoldome]

The necessity of freeing everyone as quickly and as fully as possible is and was, _logically,_ a *simple* conclusion. But this wasn't an *easy* conclusion to get at in those days, considering that no other known society, in the entire history of the world until that point, had ever reached it. A completely new idea may require some serious mental rearrangements, and I think that's clearly such a case. Sometimes, being able to see a simple truth can be very difficult - and especially so for seeing it for the first time ever.

[@tesmith47]

The profit was great, and he knew there ain't no god to exact punishment.

[@briggy4359]

Where were your clothes made?

[@thebreeze6765]

I just found this channel and am so happy I did. I've been asking these kinds of questions about kinds of governments and you explain everything so thoroughly. I will be joining now. Hope to be able to join Patreon soon. Thank you so much!!

[@Keiranful]

A very good and balanced review. My personal feelings on the subject tend to emphasize how radical the enlightenment ideas were in this regard. The culture in which a person grows up in forms the deepest and most immutable set of filters through which we view the world. It is a rare and special person who can challenge these filters, even to a limited degree in himself, let alone encourage others to do the same. It is easy for us to condemn slavery. It is far more difficult for us to challenge or condemn elements of our current culture, like the still prevalent belief in human superiority. In the vein of "judge not, lest you be judged", I refrain from judging people like Jefferson, because I seriously doubt I would have been better than him in the same circumstances. That is simply highly unlikely.

[@AngelaMastrodonato]

I try to take the same approach you take in evaluating historic people like the founders. I remind myself these people are dead and can’t address the critiques of modern day people. However, at risk of going off subject, I really hate John C. Calhoun. He sounded like an A-hole. He deserves much more contempt than Jefferson, in my personal opinion.

[@bunnybird9342]

@@AngelaMastrodonato actually straight up fuck John C. Calhoun he had zero redeeming qualities and the only thing he ever did was "WOW I LOVE SLAVERY!!!!!!!!"

[@user-sn4jp3cu4j]

Exceptional work. I want to especially thank you for using so many primary sources. This is a great illustration of how history should be taught and studied.

[@scottsaige]

Well done. This is how the subject should be taught in high school history. It highlights the push and pull between ideals and reality and the difficult decisions our founding fathers had to make while presenting an honest picture of the contradictions and flaws they (like every other human being) possessed and the context of the time. Though none of it was new to me, it was a well presented. I'm curious, how do you choose your subjects?

[@abhijitkurse53]

Well said- nuance is the key word, but far too many lack the patience to incorporate into dialogue, much less school curricula, where it is much needed.

[@bloston95]

i love your content. Always brings clarity to things that are very often thrown around without any context.

[@davidmcnamara7489]

Hello Ryan. This is David from Australia. I’ve just discovered your channel. Thank you so much for your research and your balanced, thoughtful, and respectful presentation of each topic. It’s helped me as a part-time university tutor in social welfare. There’s a lot of hysterical stuff on KZbin. You clearly make an effort to be objective, and honest when the research is unclear or inconsistent. Regards and sincere thanks.

[@austinmorris3422]

It's sad that your videos get so little views, comparatively speaking. Your content is of the highest quality. I hope this channel gets the exposure it deserves!

[@silveryphoenix44]

I had no idea about Jefferson's writing on racial differences. Thank you. I think a good analogy for such in modern day is buying products and clothing made by slave labor in Asia. It is a terrible thing, but is really hard to live without buying such.

[@n0madtv]

It's also easy to ignore if you're not a factory owner or one of the workers. Out of sight, out of mind... Slavery was only a thing (in the US) for the wealthy, and even then it was only (mostly) a southern plantation owner wealthy thing. This was an extremely small portion of the population. Obviously, a lot of people had opinions on it from either side, but like today, we still want our cheap cotton t-shirts, so how are we supposed to stop something that's beyond our control? Do we protest, or do we accept that some people have a shitty life? Or maybe we even support giving people a life that may be somewhat better than they would have otherwise had? Is both nuanced and simple. It simply shouldn't happen, but since it does happen, there's a lot to consider.

[@birchlover3377]

​@@n0madtv 18th-century British Abolitionists cut out sugar for this reasoning (came from the islands).

[@ulfthegoon]

@@n0madtv Excellent observation. The institution of slavery, forced, brutal oppression of workers is alive and well. It just takes subtle forms, and we all survive on it at the expense of human dignity. The rulers have so much control how we think and act. It takes lots of life experience before the reality hits.

[@zachmorgan6982]

ExCtly.

[@wes4736]

Thrift stores are a great way to avoid contributing your money to worker exploitation in Asia (unfortunately, we all have phones as well.) But there are also bulk stores that sell misprints or slight but not very noticeable hiccups in clothes manufacturing for discount.

[@limerickman8512]

Incorrect, slavery was waning in the south, until the cotton gin was invented, thus gave renewed life to slavery, to pick cotton in the sun. It was true that the cotton gin reduced the labor of removing seeds, it did not reduce the need for enslaved labor to grow and pick the cotton. While more industrialisation through mechanical machines reduce slavery In fact, the opposite occurred in demanded labour when it came to cotton. Cotton growing became so profitable for enslavers that it greatly increased their demand for both land and enslaved labor.

[@manisthemeasure2205]

Our problem with the likes of these men that seemingly knew what was right but still went with the “flow” of their time is whether we should celebrate them today or simply regard them as products of their time, without judging them with the ideas of today. I cannot blame Jefferson for being born in a time of ignominious darkness but I am ambivalent about considering him great or venerable, even.

[@tesmith47]

some DID free their slaves

[@timothypaulino8454]

For history nerds, we don't see it as celebrate or condemned. We see a flawed man who has done great things all the while enslaving people. An act that even him growing up in the South knew was wrong. celebrating him isn't an endorsement or free pass on everything he did. Just recognition of certain aspects and achievements that are relevant to us today

[@mrD66M]

This poses the question back to us. Do we go with the flow of society when it suits us, and only talk about ideals when it does not? Knowing "the right thing to do" is immaterial and pointless. There is only *doing* the right thing (not once or twice, but consistently) - or not.

[@jamesdoerr4318]

Ryan, you are an excellent writer and an even better presenter. Because of how my brain is wired, it is hard for me to focus for very long, but you do such a good job that you make it easy to consume.

[@Ephisus]

Of course, the people who want to change the world struggle with the change.

[@shirleybanks277]

...Jefferson is a prime example of intellect conflicting with Wealth /Greed and Power.

[@Sound557]

Whenever I watch your videos I like to think if there are extra points to include. You always beat me to it, like mentioning the cotton gin. Keep up the good work.

[@YeahButCanISniffUrPantsFist]

I love that youre so nuanced in the way you present so many difficult topics. Im gonna subscribe to your patreaon so i can support this kind of mentality in these divided times

[@shadowmann9]

FANTASTIC video. Thank you so much for collecting the information, doing great research and writing such a compelling narrative. Many of these things about Jefferson, I did not know and that information sheds enough light on his legacy for me to re-grind my lens on him. Subbed and liked!

[@sampson1952]

Another excellent piece of work. I appreciate your skills in research and perspective.

[@JohnEricksonYYZ]

The great irony of the American Revolution is that it was the Loyalists led by John Graves Simcoe, the first governor of Upper Canada, who passed the first laws to end the slave trade in 1791 in what later became Canada.

[@trystdodge6177]

​@GMAngelone ah yes Haiti, maybe the best remembered revolutionary French genocide in history. Leftist- genocide can be a good thing, if it frees slaves. Also how do you suppose Haiti would look today if it were still under French rule? Whatever, freedom comes at a price, the price of which is barbecue today. Progressive history is so messed up.

[@trystdodge6177]

@@koschmx you're right screw Haiti. Those people were meant to live in chaos and anarchy. In all seriousness, I have no clue what European lies you're referring to and genuinely am curious. Could you elaborate please.

[@RebeccaOre]

@@trystdodge6177 , Haiti was paying France reparations into the mid 20th century.

[@tesmith47]

@@trystdodge6177 Haiti revolution was not a genocide, it was the elimination of racist, imperialist, invaders, which is ENTIRELY justified

[@tesmith47]

@@trystdodge6177 racist america has hated, and done everything to destroy the FIRST BLACK democracy in the Americas

[@BearRiverBooks]

Extraordinary effort. Should be an assignment in high school and college American history classes. The essence of good historical analysis is the ability to cut oneself free of one's own time and see the world as our forbears saw it. This requires deep knowledge of the past and a kind of intellectual fluidity that is rare. This lecture demonstrates both qualities in abundance.

[@smulanx3]

This is a good channel. I love that you list all your sources.

[@oopurpledove]

Very interesting commentary on Jeffers. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

[@An_Attempt]

Excellent video. Though it leaves one with a complicated set of feelings and ideas. There are so many different hands that are to be consider: the ideals of liberty, the practical ramifications of freeing the slaves, the self interest, the fact that most with power would have slaves, the creation of a new form of government, the brute realities of the time. There really is a lot to think about.

[@neiloler]

Excellent work here, thank you for the time and detail of citations and lack of overt editorializations.

[@user-ev5md5sz9x]

I love your content man. You put so much rigor and work into this.

[@zachmorgan6982]

History is so messy when u study it, and it takes tons of research to put together a video like this. Not just the textbook history. But a deep dive on Jefferson and his nuanced beliefs in a strange time in American history. An uncertain future lay ahead, and with the benefit of hindsight, we sit in outer chairs and judge men who were creating a country from scratch. Based on fairly new principles that had yet to be truly tried in earnest in any country. Great video and arming ones self with nuanced facts is what every student of life needs.

[@MrPastaTube1]

Ryan, I am always delighted by the depth of your research and the clear structure of your videos.

[@EarlHayward]

Maybe because I am much older, but this was high school history back in my day!

[@bridgeforth]

Excellent piece my man. I live near Monticello, and have been there more times than I can count, and Jefferson's paradoxes of slavery have always been a mystery, however, you very succinctly shed light on some grey areas.

[@user-sn4jp3cu4j]

In this day and age, we need content creators and voices like you.

[@s.l.george7348]

An excellent assessment of Jefferson that captures and explains the contradictory and dichotomous nature of the human condition. What an ace of an historian!

[@3Girliez]

Yet again, Amazing video!! I love you present both sides without any bias. ❤

[@MrTomyber]

Love your videos, your format is perfect and I always feel you are telling me factual non bias information 😍✌️

[@thenathanimal2909]

It's almost like humans are complex, nuanced, flawed, virtuous, and often endure cognitive dissonance.

[@D.S.handle]

19:46 here you are a bit wrong. By the end of his life Benjamin Franklin has begun to openly campaign for the abolition. From the National Archives website: > Franklin did not publicly speak out against slavery until very late in his life. As a young man he owned slaves, and he carried advertisements for the sale of slaves in his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. At the same time, however, he published numerous Quaker pamphlets against slavery and condemned the practice of slavery in his private correspondence. It was after the ratification of the United States Constitution that he became an outspoken opponent of slavery. In 1789 he wrote and published several essays supporting the abolition of slavery and his last public act was to send to Congress a petition on behalf of the Society asking for the abolition of slavery and an end to the slave trade. The petition, signed on February 3, 1790, asked the first Congress, then meeting in New York City, to "devise means for removing the Inconsistency from the Character of the American People," and to "promote mercy and justice toward this distressed Race."

[@Matt-kt9nm]

When did he mention Franklin?

[@D.S.handle]

@@Matt-kt9nm the timeframe is a bit wrong, but at 19:40 you can hear him saying “ultimately none of the founders risked their careers to end it [slavery]”. Edit: corrected the quote

[@realryanchapman]

Hi, I'm aware of Franklin's anti-slavery activity. In the video I said 'none of them risked their careers to end it,' quoting from a Jefferson bio. The crucial period that I was talking about was in the 1770's and early-mid 1780's, when the abolition of slavery was being seriously debated and the South hadn't hardened in their defense of it. Franklin missed that window. Also speaking out at the very end of his life isn't risking his career.

[@D.S.handle]

@@realryanchapman that is fair.

[@drandrewm]

@@realryanchapman It's good to see you deep in these replies. You are to be commended. You have generated great discussion and dialog on this topic. I really appreciate what you've been doing.

[@rolandrush5172]

This was a really great video. Obviously it succumbs to the limitations of such a short video but it provides a high enough resolution to see a sufficient picture of the truth. Only a few critiques in framing but definitely quality content. Liked and Subscribed

[@leslovesliberty1776]

Wow, I learn more from you in 30-minute videos than I did from 16 years in the education system... thank you!! 🙏

[@carolinem1698]

Realistically, very few of us retained much of what we were taught in school as children. As adults we are more interested in learning about what we are curious. my point is we are too quick to blame schools, especially public schools.

[@benjaminirarrazaval9944]

Infinite thanks for your work!!!! all and every single of your videos are amazing. I am an engineer who never liked history but only inclined to learn about math and sciences... Lately I have picked interest in politics, and therefore history. your videos started to appear on my feed and what a surprise I can stop watching them, they are incredible, your work is fantastic, I wished you would have been my history teacher...

[@marenomorgan]

Such a great video. Our flattened understanding of history is not only toxic in 2023, but I'm also always surprised that people tend to flatten it in the first place when the truth is always so much more interesting and helpful than the dogma.

[@kate2create738]

Too many are guilty of distorting history to believe it is an excuse for what they advocate for. The tragedy in all of this is that part of the Enlightenment Age was coming into understanding the qualities of being a person. The Founding Fathers mainly understood to be human you inherit flaws, yet there was an idealism about giving people the liberty to learn of their mistakes to help improve their lives to become morally sound. Self responsibility was a driving force for this new age; however, we are in a time where too many are quick to give in to avoid sustainably be an individual. And there is little push back for those who have the authority to correct this as if anything it give excuse to take more power from the people.

[@warlordofbritannia]

The history profession is more sophisticated than ever. Only partisan hacks with an axe to grind are flattening our collective understanding-looking at you, DeSantis.

[@johnperez2346]

Ryan, will limit my respect to a weak comment. Seriously objective, factual, professional and beautifully presented. Each video could be a thesis or white paper. Love your content!

[@nehaalam4829]

Ryan love the videos, keep the good work up. Hope to see more soon!

[@ethanthibodeaux9599]

So refreshing to hear an account of Jefferson that gives a fair assessment of his flaws and his accomplishments.

[@orionwhite8429]

Love this content, I completed Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, and it went over some of how Benjamin's view on race and slavery adapted over the years and he was also coming up at the same time as enlightenment. It is sad to learn that things that seemed to be progressing in the 1700s halted or went backward during the 1800s. Jefferson had a great influence on USA and his conflicting views show how others likely disagreed on slavery and race at the time. I am interested in a Jefferson biography on audible someone had mentioned American Sphinx which is on there.

[@onionknight2239]

Another very insightful overview. Thanks Ryan

[@nathanielscreativecollecti6392]

Thanks for the calm level headed analysis. Very good to hear a clear head and primary sources.

[@sunamcm1]

It is a shame that such a thoughtful and thorough examination of a topic should be so rare - but it is. Thank you for providing food for thought without rancor or bias. You are a treasure.

[@richardpage9502]

The plantation business model came to depend on essentially zero cost labor (slaves, more accurately viewed as assets that were purchased and had resale value). As the demand for their output grew (eg cotton), the was no way that plantation owners would willingly shift to a paid labor model.

[@darksu6947]

I believe we would have been much better off picking our own damn cotton.

[@RebeccaOre]

Neither farm labor or domestic labor were covered by New Deal era Federal Minimum wage laws. It’s always cheaper to do sharecropping than anything other than slavery. Slaves raised the food, built the buildings, and made their clothes and all household textiles, and raised the cash crop.

[@martinwarner1178]

Well I never....a great insight to the man, and short, easily listened to. Your presentation..perfect. Peace be unto you.

[@tagp]

Ryan, very well done. Thank you for sharing your in-depth research.

[@MWhaleK]

As I understand? It was because his first memory was of being served by slaves, he was born into a family that owned slaves and raised in a slave owning society as well as being bad with money. So it's more surprising that he spoke out about slavery than that he didn't free his slaves. Not that it make him being a slave owner much better (especially in the context of the whole Sally Hemmings thing), but it does make it more understandable.

[@RebeccaOre]

He promised to free her children. I believe a majority of free blacks were children of their masters.

[@Appleblade]

I think a large part of the problem was not knowing what would happen if blacks were freed. There were many of them, they were uneducated, and they were penniless. Perhaps they would form armies and seek retribution. I have to believe this was a serious if generally unspoken worry.

[@drmodestoesq]

They had the template of the British freeing slaves in their colonies. It was a peaceful evolution from slavery. Which probably would have happened if the British/American colonists had not had a revolution.

[@subcitizen2012]

It's still the generally unspoken worry today...

[@matsanw]

Due to the laws of some states, in many cases the damage that could be done to freed slaves turned freeing them much more difficult than people imagine. People think freeing them would just reset their status and turn them into a normal citizen but it wasn't that simple. Not only that, but as you said, many had barely any skills that would help, and of course, zero money and property or a safety net of relashionships. Outright just letting them go would send many of them to legal problems or their deaths.

[@normanclatcher]

​@@subcitizen2012 Psh. The next civil war won't be fought over race. It'll be against the ultra-rich.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Yet that never happened. Almost as if those fears were just a weak defense for racism and the peculiar institution….

[@davidswift7776]

Excellent and fair commentary that puts the culture and reality in perspective 👍

[@iandaut1146]

All I have to say is WOW. Your context delivery is awesome!

[@jamiebusch9406]

Thank you for this thoughtful, and intellectually honest appraisal of Jefferson's attitudes. He has long been a hero of mine, as he should be for every American. I do have to ask you to consider that it was not simply "Southerners" who changed the grudging tolerance for slavery held by most Americans into a strong support and advocacy for its spread. That change also happened as a result of politics. A small oligarchy of plantation owners in the southern colonies became fabulously wealthy after the invention of the cotton gin.. They poured money and support into the Democratic party, and as a result, the Democratic Party began to advocate for slavery as a positive good, and worked to expand legalized slavery into the territories, and even into Northern states that had expressly outlawed it! This had nothing to do with 'climate' or 'lazy' white people... this was political action by a wealthy elite to protect their source of income. This political action was well understood at the time, and resulted in the breakup of the Whig party in the 1840's and the founding of the first anti-slavery party- the Republicans. The Civil War was the result of the Democratic party refusing to allow the Republican candidate to appear on the 1860 ballot in most southern states they controlled. When that candidate, Mr. Lincoln, won the election, the Democratic party in the south chose treason and succession over accepting as President a man who had pledged to keep slavery out of the new territories in the West. The typical "Southerners vs. Northerners' analysis is very superficial, and does not really explain the situation... I look forward to your future videos- as you seem to be honestly in search of a deeper understanding of history... thank you for your work.

[@tesmith47]

you do have a angle of truth, but it really did boil down to southern wealthy whites and some northern whites vs the north

[@DavidPysnik]

This treatment is reasonable, honest, and well researched. The work put into this and the product created is much appreciated and sorely needed in our current politically polarized environment.

[@josue24]

It’s sad that facts are now politicized because people would rather believe memes etc.

[@rodrigodepierola]

Awesome and nuanced. It's hard these days but you really pulled it off

[@user-pl1yp1tj8b]

Always thoughtful... Always interesting... Thanks for sharing.

[@MrTeff999]

Reflecting on this piece, I find myself thinking about how hard it is for people-including me - to sacrifice our luxuries for the sake of preserving the environment. We know what causes pollution, yet we still drive, fly, drink bottled water, and keep our homes the perfect temperature all year long. Why should we suffer while our neighbors do not?

[@shableep]

Very interesting reflection.

[@archieharris6825]

Because the environment can be seen as an amorphous harm based on our individual actions. Owning, whipping, and raping another human being is in your face harm and not an esoteric exercise of thought.

[@brianfox771]

With regard to the environment. I'd say the average individual in the Western world is really a captive of the larger industrial and corporate interests at play. You personally or even your entire household could go carbon neutral for the rest of your lives and all of that would be undone by the activities of any single oil company in a matter of seconds.

[@oboogie2]

@@brianfox771 and I'm sure the same argument could be advanced that for one to release their measly 11 slaves would have zero effect on the larger evil of institutional slavery.

[@archieharris6825]

@@oboogie2 you wouldn't be so glib if the "measly" 11 slaves were you and your family.

[@caseyreed5231]

The way you described the southern plantation owner is really the same description of corporate America today but instead of having to take care of the workers it slowly has transitioned to no be if it’s and no pensions so unless you have money you are screwed. Off to work you go!!

[@MonkehMike]

Always look forward to your videos!

[@moxiepops8457]

I LOVE the way you present! Keep up the awesome work!

[@sablephoenix]

THANK YOU for presenting a balanced and real look at Jefferson, the greatest thinker of his day (and my personal favorite of the Founding Fathers), without attempting to skew it towards one side of the political spectrum or the other. He was obviously, from his own writings, a man tormented by the dichotomies of his own beliefs on human freedoms and the social strictures of his day. This video essay puts that into clear relief. Jefferson was a complex man and the workings of his mind are not always obvious through is actions. Great work.

[@1998halflife]

what npr/pbs should be today, thank you sir.

[@CharityCatherine]

Months have gone by since you posted here. I miss you. I will keep checking in for about a year. Be well!

[@TheFluffyDuck]

You take people from west coast tribal Africa, and are surprised that they don’t immediately grasp current European mathematics, science and philosophy, in their ample downtime during cotton picking. Like seriously what was he expecting?

[@demejiuk5660]

😂😂

[@wheediesmanchild5229]

So he was a pragmatist who wanted to focus on the main problems of the time, that being American unity, over comparatively lesser and more device issues. And he saw that believing in innate freedom and (social) 30:31 equality was a separate idea to everyone being equally physically and mentally.

[@jhonklan3794]

Eh, I think this is being overly charitable. Its more that unity occupied his mind more, not that he rationally decided it was more important. He was provided ample evidence against his views, but actively shut those out. His faint glimmers of self reflection act as deeper condemnation of his acts than anything else. It suggests that he knew what he as doing was wrong, but chose to do it anyways; his selfish desires were overriding. He was at best hypocritical, at worst completely barbarous. Especially knowing that he personally ordered whippings. Our founders were not perfect people, even for their time. That doesn't mean their wisdom is useless or that we should throw away what they did accomplish.

[@mostreal907]

Calling slavery not a main problem is an interesting choice of words.

[@wheediesmanchild5229]

@@mostreal907 he didn’t take any real formal action on it and didn’t make much talk about it in writing outside of one work. That sounds like he didn’t concern himself with it more than he had to because it wasn’t a nominal problem that seemed prudent to address.

[@mellissadalby1402]

I very much appreciate this visdeo. Many of these details are new to me, and I am grateful to learn them now. I have long wondered why the slave trade persisted for so long in diametric opposition to the principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.

[@amerylavail8185]

That’s for the amazing video work you do.

[@carmaela2689]

He was a very complex man. So much that he wrote is very inspiring but so much of the way he lived is difficult to understand in our 21st century mindset. I think the enlightenment was such a fascinating time.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Even at the time he was castigated for the apparent hypocrisy-that’s *why* we have so much evidence on what he thought about slavery, he was constantly trying to justify it in his letters. I think that’s the most poignant point, that the same man who wrote “all men are created equal” spent decades defending his right to keep men unequal.

[@hackerj23]

Another video suggesting that you have an uncanny ability to appreciate every side of an issue with proper attention. The sort of Jefferson is complex and difficult to easily capture. I think your conclusion is as close as we can get. Thank you!

[@yoouu4168]

too bad the clowns in this comment section are getting triggered cause he dared to be neutral on the topic instead of pointing fingers

[@tonydangelo778]

@@yoouu4168 Rational people don’t allow the irrational to sway them.

[@deathybrs]

This was excellent coverage of an incredibly complex situation, you have my applause.

[@leepatterson9910]

How is slavery a complex issue?! tf

[@deathybrs]

@@leepatterson9910 That isn't what I said, and you're just trying to gain points by pretending to be arguing with a position that I didn't take. What you just did is called a "Strawman Argument," and it is a form of intellectual dishonesty.

[@leepatterson9910]

@@deathybrs "incredibly complex situation" What's the complex situation then?

[@deathybrs]

​@@leepatterson9910 You clearly didn't watch the video.

[@deathybrs]

@@leepatterson9910 Just to head anything else off, though, fine, I'll answer your question, even though you are being intellectually dishonest and I really do not like engaging with that kind of thing. How does someone who thinks slavery is wrong, and that slaves should be freed, still hold slaves, allow his slaves to be abused, and not free his slaves on his death? This video explains. tl;dr - Jesserson sucked. For more details, watch the video.

[@evelynramos445]

Thank you for being on.

[@PFJung]

Commenting for the algorithm

[@BS-vx8dg]

Could you explain that to me? How does this affect the algorithm?

[@PFJung]

@@BS-vx8dg Commenting on a video (as well as liking it) are forms of engagement that the KZbin algorithm takes into account when determining which videos to promote. More comments and likes means it's more likely other people will see it

[@BS-vx8dg]

@@PFJung Thanks. I knew about the likes, but did not realize that the quantity of comments also made a differnce.

[@user-dx5eb2le1b]

„Hardly ever whipped“ is a statement that shouldnt positively frame someone, even within context it is still and onjectively bad action, that should be framed as such. And no mention of the freed slave in his well having a very good likelihood (including dna evidence) of being his children born out of his enslaved lover… All in all decent video but I was missing some of the caviats and the ending seemed to much to be trying to put him in a positive light using things that shouldnt be used for such. Overall love your videos and hope you understand where Im coming from.

[@prestonasher2291]

Very well done. You kept it neutral and fair as possible. Thank you! Most would compare his actions today's standards, and we must not look at history that way.

[@patrickmacleod2415]

Excellent. First time seeing one of your videos. I’m a history teacher. Thanks.

[@emigdiogabrielmatosferrera7824]

3:04 Be careful referencing David Hume as it can be interpreted that in that exact extract he implies his opinios upon the equality of white people. He is know for having racist thoughts as written by himself on his essay "Of the national characters" in 1753 where Hume writes: "I have a tendency to suspect that the blacks and in general all the other species of men (because there are four or five different classes) are naturally inferior to the whites".

[@Matt-kt9nm]

There will always be the possibility of alternate interpretations to a given text, or statement. Especially when it's on a divisive topic.

[@Greg-fs8np]

This is a truly excellent, well documented and balanced discussion of Jefferson and slavery. While Jefferson had sincerely held concerns about increased conflict and violence if slaves were freed, I agree with Ryan that the main reason he did not free his slaves was self interest, pure and simple. He was addicted to his life style and property that could not be maintained without slaves. The idea that he would free the slaves and then do what, relocate to a two bedroom condo in Philadelphia? That was not going to happen.

[@yourfavoritesteve]

This had the ring of truth rather than politics. Well done.

[@clancy_101]

Superbly done, Ryan. Impressive

[@roguetool8869]

Aaron Burr lived in such times and didn't own slaves. He also advocated for equality with women and that's why he's not glorified in American mythology and villainized as shooting Alexander Hamilton, who got a Broadway show in his name, when he was the elitist and against the everyday citizen.

[@Ashakat42]

Just like we barely give Thomas Paine more than a mention of him of his book, but never the ideas, when going over the history of our revolutionary past.

[@candide1065]

There isn't anything between "good" and "evil" in your closed mind, huh?

[@leorkoubi4626]

I don't like Aron Burr because he tried to to foment insurection.

[@roguetool8869]

@@leorkoubi4626 Do you research about him. Where did the accusations come from and what happened just before them and from whom did they originate?

[@roguetool8869]

@@leorkoubi4626 kzbin.info/www/bejne/poCZnYmri9uDr8k