Behind the Bastards Part Four: Thomas Jefferson: King of Hypocrites
16 snips
Jun 13, 2024 The podcast delves into Thomas Jefferson's controversial legacy, highlighting his use of child slavery to power a smart home at Monticello. It explores Jefferson's financial struggles, hypocrisy as a slave owner, and contradictory beliefs on slavery and emancipation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Promise
- As children, Thomas Jefferson and Dabney Carr promised to bury each other atop Monticello.
- Jefferson honored this by having enslaved people dig the grave, highlighting his hypocrisy.
Slavery-Powered Smart Home
- Jefferson designed Monticello with hidden tunnels and dumbwaiters for enslaved people.
- This created a "smart home" powered by slavery, concealing the uncomfortable reality from guests.
Convenience over Conviction
- Jefferson's reliance on slavery provided him with a convenient lifestyle.
- This explains his hypocrisy on liberty, as he prioritized personal comfort over human rights.