Professor Alan Taylor – Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor of History, University of Virginia.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Selected works
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Thomas Jefferson’s Education.
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William Cooper's Town: Power and Persuasion on the Frontier of the Early American Republic.
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American Colonies. The Settlement of North America to 1800.
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The Divided Ground: Indians, Settlers, and the Northern Borderland of the American Revolution.
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The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832.
Episode #1
Q: Thomas Jefferson – Professor Alan Taylor – Intro
A:
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Originally an historian of early American Republic – Northern States
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Researched Archive of Escaped Slaves 1812
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Studied Jefferson writings on slavery
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Holds Jefferson Chair in History - University of Virginia
Episode #2
Q: What motivated Jefferson to create a university?
A:
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​Jefferson: brilliant, distinct, self-educated
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Alarmed at societal issues facing Virginia
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Proponent of democratization & ultimate solution to slavery
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Education: the key to raise the next generation of American leaders
Episode #3
Q: Was Jefferson’s Vision Successful?
A:
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Not in the way Jefferson hoped
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Jefferson belief in the ability to transform young people
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Atmosphere of bullying, dominating
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Entrenched Slavery: “school for tyranny”
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Tradition of honor and duels
Episode #4
Q: Was Jefferson naïve?
A:
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Jefferson: man if the enlightenment
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Belief in building rational people
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University of Virginia architecture
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Creating little Jefferson?
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Up against power of society
Episode #5
Q: What did Jefferson write about Slavery?
A:
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Elegant writings condemning slavery
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Belief in gradual emancipation
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Overtly racist musings
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Quoted by both pro and anti-slavery proponents
Episode #6
Q: Slavery: Could Jefferson Have Done More?
A:
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Owned hundreds of slaves
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Washington freed his slaves upon death
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Jefferson’s influence if he freed his slaves
Episode #7
Q: What was Jefferson’s view on religion?
A:
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Very critical of tradition
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Adherent of free religious choice
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Separation of Church and State
Few Jews and Catholics in Virginia
Episode #8
Q: How does Jefferson view Jews & Judaism?
A:
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Appalled by any legal discrimination based on religion
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Would welcome Jews to the University of Virginia
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No sympathy for organized, traditional religion