Question

What is a central claim of Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson?

a. The only way to end slavery is with criminal acts and violent rebellion.
b. It is logical and fair to grant "unalienable rights" to individuals who have escaped from slavery.
c. It is hypocritical to state that "all men are created equal" in a country that permits slavery.
d. Former slaves should be allowed a more prominent role in government.

Answer 1

The central claim of Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson is option c. It is hypocritical to state that "all men are equal" in a country that permits slavery.

The Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791, but the rights it granted were withheld from Africans who lived as slaves. That same year, in August, Banneker challenges Jefferson with this letter. He points out that it is a contradiction between the rights granted in the Bill of Rights and the continuation of slavery. And it is also a contradiction to state that all men are equal in the eyes of God, and deny liberty to the slaves.

Answer 2

The central claim of Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Thomas Jefferson is statement (c): It is hypocritical to state that „all men are created equal“ in a country that permits slavery. Even though in the first ten amendments of United State Constitution (Bill of Right,1791) is stated that all men have personal freedom and rights, many African-Americans were still slaves, which angered free African-American Benjamin Banneker to write a public letter to Thomas Jefferson.