Do you agree with Descartes? Why or Why not? Happy Monday! 9/21/2015 To Do Take out your notebook and response to the following quote: “The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.” Rene Descartes Do you agree with Descartes? Why or Why not? *virtue: righteousness, respectability, decency *vice: immoral or wicked behavior

Learning Target: I will learn background knowledge about Pres Learning Target: I will learn background knowledge about Pres. Jefferson so I can understand the DOI

Background on Thomas Jefferson Born: April 13, 1743 Died: July 4, 1826 Birthplace: Shadwell, Virginia Education: lawyer Position: Elected representative of Virginia Governor of Virginia Ambassador to France Vice President of the US, 3rd Pres. of the US Established University of Virginia

Background on Jefferson (cont.) 3rd generation immigrant from England (grandfather immigrated to America from England) Son of a surveyor and cartographer (map maker) Considered a “Renaissance Man” = Really Intelligent! Spoke 5 different languages, read in two Lawyer, agronomist (sophisticated farmer), musician, scientist, philosopher, author, architect, inventor, and statesmen Went to college at 16, got a law degree and became America’s first law professor

You inspire me John!! <3 <3 Background on Jefferson (cont.) Considered an “Enlightened” thinker People who based their ideas/philosophy on scientific reasoning and not religious reasoning Willing to question popular belief and even challenge his own ideas Downfall of scientific perspective  savage v. civilized You inspire me John!! <3 <3 Yeah.

Declaration of Independence Most remembered/famous for writing the Declaration of Independence Inspired by John Locke’s idea of “Natural Law” Natural Law: There are certain rights guaranteed to us simply because we are human. life, liberty and pursuit of happiness Jefferson’s original draft was very different than the final approved draft Jefferson wanted to get rid of slavery Called slavery a, “moral depravity” and “hideous blot”

Jefferson’s views on slavery & Native Americans “Moral depravity…hideous blot” Jefferson said: “a cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons …carrying them to slavery…” Greatest threat to the survival of the new American nation Wants to slowly free slaves and send them back to Africa Did not believe in a bi-racial United States HOWEVER! He owned 600 slaves!! Only freed 7 of them… slow indeed

Jefferson’s views on slavery & Native Americans “This unfortunate race, whom we had been taking so much pains to save and to civilize...” Did not see them as equals to the White men Believed that if American Indians adopted European style way of life (agriculture & living) then they would quickly progress from “savagery” to “civilization”  make them equal to White men Also by adopting European lifestyle, it could free up hunting land for white settlers to move in & farm Proposed the “Indian Removal Plan” Plan options: 1) assimilate to European culture, 2) Move west (by force), 3) Extermination

Designed his plantation mansion. Included secret passage ways and doors so that slaves could move about the house unseen. INFER: What does this design communicate about Jefferson’s views on slaves? Monticello Answer in your notebook!

Artist’s imagination of Sally Hemmings Daughter of a half white half African slave mother. Half sister of Jefferson’s wife Slave of Jefferson’s wife 40 year liaison between Jefferson and Hemmings  7 illegitimate children Artist’s imagination of Sally Hemmings

Go back to the quote that we talked about at the beginning of class. Is Jefferson an example of Descartes’s great minds with great virtues and vices? Does it make you less great if you have great vices?