Introduction

In the previous units, you learned about the founders of our country, especially George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. As highly regarded as both men were, we cannot escape the fact that they were slaveholders for most of their lives and their plantations relied heavily on slave labor. In this lesson, learn about some of the enslaved people associated with both Washington and Jefferson and how slavery was a major part of the symbol of democracy in America: the White House.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Examine the lives of enslaved people in the early republic.
  • Contrast the founders’ views on slavery and equality with their actions as slaveholders.

Essential Questions

  • How did the Founders deal with the issue of slavery personally and politically?
  • What can we learn from the stories of Washington’s and Jefferson’s enslaved populations?

Enduring Understandings

  • • Slavery and protection of states’ rights were the dominant issues that led to the American Civil War.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: United States History I standards: 3.4