Benjamin banneker near ellicotts lower mills, baltimore county sir, i thank you sincerely for your letter of the 19th instant and for the almanac it contained. He touches on the topics of the way blacks were treated and seen by the. Rhetorical device benjamin banneker letter to thomas jefferson. Together with it was a letter criticizing jefferson for his proslavery views. Banneker begins each paragraph with the greeting sir in respect to thomas jefferson, who is higher than. This activity includes 2 primary source letters that thomas jefferson and benjamin banneker exchanged regarding slavery and human equality. Rhetorical device benjamin banneker letter to thomas. Benjamin banneker debates thomas jefferson youtube. From thomas jefferson to benjamin bannekerfrom thomas jefferson to benjamin bannekerfrom thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker philadelphia, august 30, 1791. Sir, i am fully sensible of the greatness of that freedom, which i take with you on the present occasion. Benjamin bannekers letter to jefferson analysis by lamin. Benjamin bannekers accomplishments extended into other realms as well, including civil rights. Benjamin banneker 17311806 was an africanamerican mathematician, surveyor, astronomer, and publisher of a popular almanac. Benjamin banneker, an early africanamerican mathematician and scientist, wrote thomas jefferson and called him out on his stance on slavery.
Banneker forwarded a copy of his calculations to thomas jefferson, who at the time was secretary of state. Rhetorical analysis on benjamin bannekers letter to. Mss 1 banneker s letter, with this reply, was printed in pamphlet form, as follows copy of a letter from benjamin banneker to the secretary of state, with his answer. Born in baltimore county, maryland, to a free africanamerican woman and a former slave, banneker had little formal education and was largely selftaught. Africans in americapart 2jeffersons reply to banneker.
In subsequent editions of almanacs banneker produced in later years, he opted to reprint his letter to jefferson. From thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, 30 august 1791. A rhetorical analysis of benjamin bannekers letter to. Excerpts from a letter from benjamin banneker to thomas. November 9, 1731 in baltimore county, province of maryland died. In this letter, banneker pointed to the contradictions between the principles laid out in the declaration of independence and bill of rights, and the continued existence of slavery. In 1791, benjamin banneker wrote a letter to thomas jefferson, who was then the secretary of state, making a forceful and powerful argument against slavery. At that time, the law dictated that if your mother was a slave then you were a slave, and. What was benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson. Benjamin banneker was born on november 9, 1731, in baltimore county, maryland. The national historical publications and records commission nhprc is part of the national archives. In benjamin banneker s letter to thomas jefferson he argues that he wants slavery to be discontinued. Letter to thomas jefferson 1791 commentary by angela m. Banneker, a free africanamerican astronomer, mathematician, scientist and writer, published his letter and jeffersons response in a 1793 almanac.
Ap english language and composition 2010 freeresponse questions the college board the college board is a notforprofit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Bannekers calculations gave the positions of the planets and stars for each day of the year, and his almanacs were published every year from 1792 until 1797. Benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson, 1791. Excerpts from a letter from benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson author.
In 1791, thomas jefferson was secretary of state and banneker considered the respected virginian, though a slaveholder, to also be open to viewing african americans as more than slaves. Nguyen 1 anhthu nguyen period 4 language arts 92917 mrs. First published in 1791, benjamin bannekers almanacs were widely distributed publications. While banneker writes a letter to thomas jefferson to give his side of the argument towards slavery, he expresses his thought through repetition, appealing to emotion, blaming him for his actions, and a reference to the bible. Although he was born a free man, he was the descendant of slaves. Bannekers letter to jefferson sir, i am fully sensible of the greatness of that freedom, which i take with you on the present occasion. He is known for being part of a group led by major andrew ellicott that surveyed the. Benjamin banneker called out thomas jefferson us 101. Margaret douglassa sketch of the life of benjamin banneker addeddate 20090812 14. Thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, august 30, 1791 created published 17910830. Thomas jeffersons letter to benjamin banneker, august 30, 1791, from the u. Thomas jefferson s reply to benjamin banneker philadelphia, aug. The bill of rights was adopted in 1791, but the rights it granted were withheld from africans who lived as slaves.
Benjamin banneker, the negro mathematician and astronomer. He attended grammar school only briefly, but banneker s keen innate intelligence enabled him to teach. However, it was bannekers challenge, by way of written correspondence, to thensecretary of state thomas jefferson on the act of slavery that would also add to his legacy. No body wishes more than i do, to see such proofs as you exhibit, that. Mss 1 bannekers letter, with this reply, was printed in pamphlet form, as follows copy of a letter from benjamin banneker to the secretary of state, with his answer. Rhetorical analysis on benjamin bannekers letter essay sample. Through its grants program, the nhprc supports a wide range of activities to preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources, relating to the history of the united states, and research and development projects to bring historical records to the public. He attended grammar school only briefly, but bannekers keen innate intelligence enabled him to teach. Banneker, a free africanamerican astronomer, mathematician, scientist and writer, published his letter and jefferson s response in a 1793 almanac. Students read and analyze excerpts from a letter from scientist benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson challenging jeffersons view of african americans. Writing a popular almanac that included astronomical calculations, commentaries, and tidal information biography. Bannekers use of this strategy was even more effective, given the fact that thomas jefferson himself was one of the founding fathers who signed the declaration of independence. Benjamin banneker essay matt gottstines ap lang portfolio. Sir, i thank you, sincerely, for your letter of the 19th instant, and for the almanac it contained.
After unveiling the contradiction within the constitution and the country itself, banneker appeals to religion to further weaken jeffersons proslavery stance. Included in the download are printable versions of the 2 letters, a worksheet of critical thinking. Less than two weeks after benjamin banneker wrote to thomas jefferson, challenging the democratic ideology that denied liberty and humanity to blacks, jefferson sent him a polite response dated. Benjamin banneker, a slave, farmer, astronomer, surveyor, and author, establishes ethos, pathos, and logos in his letter to thomas jefferson. Fordham speaks on the debate that pioneering black scientist benjamin bannker had against future president thomas jefferson on race and intelligence in. Benjamin bannekers 1791 letter to thomas jefferson. The central claim of benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson is option c. He assumes a knowledgeable and matterof fact persona in order to challenge jeffersons loya. That same year, a free africanamerican, benjamin banneker, challenged the way blacks were seen and treated by whites in america in a public letter to thomas jefferson. In 1791 benjamin banneker, the son of former slaves, astronomer, and almanac author, wrote a letter to thomas jefferson, in a courteous but forceful manner, challenging the framer of the declaration of independence and secretary of state on the topics of race and freedom.
Banneker was a native of baltimore county, maryland. Jefferson, then the nations secretary of state, replied to bannekers letter. To thomas jefferson from benjamin banneker, 19 august 1791. Benjamin banneker s letter to thomas jefferson, written in 1791 when jefferson was secretary of state, argues that jefferson should abandon his proslavery stance and support the abolition of slavery. Benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson flashcards. Benjamin banneker uses logos to establish his arguments. Thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, august 30, 1791. Founded in 1900, the college board is composed of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other. Benjamin banneker benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson implores him to see the racial inequality that is present in his declaration of independence, claiming that all men are created equal, but limiting this freedom to african americans. His use of pathos and logos as well as his allusions to the bible and the declaration of independence make for a very well structured letter that makes for a very clear and effective argument. Benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson, written in 1791 when jefferson was secretary of state, argues that jefferson should abandon his proslavery stance and support the abolition of slavery. Benjamin banneker challenges slavery in letter on this day.
Bannekers main purpose for writing this letter to thomas jefferson was to bring to light the adversity and trials of the slave community by juxtaposing the similar hardships faced by the audience he was attempting to appeal to, thomas jefferson, using. For two weeks, banneker labored over the letter, and on august 19, 1791 he read his handwritten letter for the last time and sealed it into a package with the manuscript, directing to thomas jefferson, secretary of state. Banneker uses tone, ethos, logos, pathos, syntax, juxtaposition, and scheme to sympathize with. This letter was composed in order to exhibit bannekers view on the crying shame of slavery. What is a central claim of benjamin bannekers letter to. Thomas jefferson and benjamin banneker primary source. His purpose is to connect with thomas jefferson in order for him to take part in abolishing slavery. Letter from benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson 1791. Biography of benjamin banneker, author and naturalist. It is hypocritical to state that all men are equal in a country that permits slavery. Africans in americapart 2bannekers letter to jefferson. To thomas jefferson from benjamin banneker, 19 august 1791 maryland.
Ap english language and composition 2010 freeresponse. Nobody wishes more than i do to see such proofs as you exhibit that nature has given to our black. Banneker wrote a nowfamous letter to thomas jefferson on august 19, 1791, arguing eloquently that. Rhetorical annalysis of benjamin bannekers letter to. We are a race that has long suffered the abuse and disapproval of the world. Banneker rhetorical essay benjamin banneker, a son of former slaves and an educated scholar, wrote a letter to thomas jefferson arguing about the mistreatment of slaves and the injustice of slavery. Click here to request a free trial account only available to college instructors. Benjamin banneker wrote this letter to attempt to make the secretary of state, thomas jefferson, aware of the oppressive and horrifying nature of the slave trade that bannekers ancestors had been in for generations. Benjamin banneker november 9, 1731 october 19, 1806 was a free africanamerican almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer. Students will write letters on the subject in their own words. Benjamin banneker, in his letter to thomas jefferson in 1791, argues for an end to the injustice and inequality that was slavery. Benjamin banneker, a son of former slaves and an educated scholar, wrote a letter to thomas jefferson arguing about the mistreatment of slaves and the injustice of slavery. Banneker expresses this by using the rhetorical strategies.
Rhetorical devices, figurative language and effects in. Tell students they will read excerpts from this letter and identify the ways in which banneker developed his argument and challenged jefferson to live up to his stated beliefs. Bannekers letter to thomas jefferson argued if all people are created equal and meant to be free like jefferson wrote in the constitution, then it was wrong for jefferson to makes slaves of african americans and treat them as not being equal. October 9, 1806 in baltimore county, maryland best known for.
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