How George Washington and Thomas Jefferson viewed the issue of slavery?

Answer 1

George Washington was a slave owner himself since the age of 11 and by the time he died owned up to 316 slaves. Like a Virginia plant owner he lived off of slavery and his views were conventional.In letters he is shown to be humane and caring towards his slaves but in others shown as a Virginia Slave owner.

Answer 2

My impression is that Washington did not think much about it. He treated his slaves kindly and needed them to work his plantation. He freed them with his will when he died.

Jefferson must seen have the contradiction between his belief in basic human rights and the keeping of slaves, but he needed them for economic reasons and could not afford to give them up, so he did not worry about it much. I think he believed in the superiority of the white race and somehow decided that this natural superiority gave whites the right to make slaves of the blacks.

Answer 3

He had slaves and probably thought nothing of it. It wasn't an issue then.

Answer 4

They wanted to end slavery. A+ :)

Answer 5

Thank you more A+ answers please