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. First published in 1791, benjamin bannekers almanacs were widely distributed publications. Rhetorical analysis on benjamin bannekers letter to thomas. 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. Benjamin bannekers letter to jefferson analysis by lamin johnson. Aug 19, 20 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. It was thus against this background of careful and intense preparation that banneker wrote the above letter and sent a copy of his ephemeris for 1792 to the. 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. Thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, august 30, 1791. Rhetorical annalysis of benjamin bannekers letter to thomas. In a public letter to thomas jefferson, a free africanamerican benjamin banneker challeneged the treatment of blacks and the continued existence of slavery. In benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson he argues that he wants slavery to be discontinued. Benjamin bannekers almanacs and letters illustrate african americans quest to eradicate slavery and racial discrimination. Rhetorical annalysis of benjamin bannekers letter to.
According to accounts that began to appear during the 1960s or earlier, a substantial mythology has exaggerated the accomplishments of benjamin banneker 17311806, who was a free africanamerican almanac author, astronomer, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer. Banneker, a free africanamerican astronomer, mathematician, scientist and writer, published his letter and jefferson s response in a 1793 almanac. Excerpts from a letter from benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson author. A mural on the subject of benjamin banneker surveys the district of columbia was to show the presentation by banneker and mayor ellicott, of the plans of the district of columbia to the president, and mr. Africans in americapart 2jeffersons reply to banneker. Bedini, the life of benjamin banneker new york, 1972. 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. Benjamin banneker was born on november 9, 1731, in baltimore county, maryland. Rhetorical device benjamin banneker letter to thomas jefferson.
Wellknown speakers, writers, artists and others have created, repeated and embellished a large number of such questionable reports. Aug 29, 2010 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. Ap english language and composition 2010 freeresponse questions. Rhetorical analysis on benjamin bannekers letter to. Bannekers letter to jefferson has acquired a nearmythic status in u. 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 1791 letter to thomas jefferson. Biography sir, suffer me to recal to your mind that time, in which the arms and tyranny of the british crown were exerted, with every powerful effort, in order to reduce you to a state of servitude. Born in baltimore county, maryland, to a free africanamerican woman and a former slave, banneker had little formal education and was largely selftaught.
Banneker, benjamin 17311806 vatican observatory foundation. Banneker s letter to jefferson sir, i am fully sensible of the greatness of that freedom, which i take with you on the present occasion. Thomas jefferson and benjamin banneker primary source. In the letter banneker complains that although african americans have long been considered rather as brutish than human, and scarcely capable of mental. Benjamin banneker challenges slavery in letter on this day in. Banneker was a native of baltimore county, maryland. Benjamin banneker uses logos to establish his arguments. Benjamin banneker challenges slavery in letter on this day. In 1791, thomas jefferson was secretary of state and banneker considered the respected virginian, though a slaveholder, to also be open. Letter to thomas jefferson, transmitting a copy of the writers almanac and discussing the subject of slavery. Students read and analyze excerpts from a letter from scientist benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson challenging jeffersons view of african americans. Thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, august 30, 1791 library. The letter from banneker to jefferson incorporates very welleducated and formal diction in his argument against the issue of slavery.
Banneker expresses this by using the rhetorical strategies. Banneker was a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author who advocated the. Benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson prezi. Benjamin banneker, a son of former slaves and an educated scholar, wrote a letter to thomas jefferson arguing about the mistreatment of. Thomas jefferson in the presence of benjamin franklin and alexander hamilton. 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. The book is about the life of benjamin banneker, a selfeducated.
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. 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. Benjamin banneker addresses thomas jefferson as sir throughout the letter in lines 1,15,18,26. Click here to request a free trial account only available to college instructors. He attended grammar school only briefly, but bannekers keen innate intelligence enabled him to teach. In it, he enclosed a manuscript copy of his first almanac. Banneker uses tone, ethos, logos, pathos, syntax, juxtaposition, and scheme to sympathize with jefferson about. Banneker uses multiple rhetoric strategies in his letter. In his letter to thomas jefferson and george washington in 1791, he was able to strongly advocate against the institution of slavery and the oppression of all black peoples in america. From thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, 30 august 1791. Thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker thomas jefferson. Benjamin banneker called out thomas jefferson us 101.
We are a race that has long suffered the abuse and disapproval of the world. Benjamin banneker called out thomas jefferson us 101 youtube. Ppt benjamin banneker powerpoint presentation free to. Ra of benjamin banneker letter by phoebe powell on prezi. This letter was composed in order to exhibit bannekers view on the crying shame of slavery. Copy of a letter from benjamin banneker to the secretary of state. August 19, 1791, benjamin wrote a letter to thomas jefferson, then secretary of state. Benjamin banneker november 9, 1731 october 19, 1806 was a free africanamerican almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer. 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. Less than two weeks after benjamin banneker wrote to thomas jefferson, challenging the democratic ideology that denied liberty and humanity to.
However, it was bannekers challenge, by way of written correspondence, to thensecretary of state thomas jefferson on the act of slavery. To thomas jefferson from benjamin banneker, 19 august. Benjamin bannekers accomplishments extended into other realms as well, including civil rights. Banneker knew he was taking a risk writing the letter because he was black and jefferson was a highranking white official. Feb 06, 2018 benjamin banneker, an early africanamerican mathematician and scientist, wrote thomas jefferson and called him out on his stance on slavery. Although he was born a free man, he was the descendant of slaves.
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. Benjamin bannekers letter to jefferson analysis by lamin. To thomas jefferson from benjamin banneker, 19 august 1791. Rhetorical devices, figurative language and effects in. Click here for the text of this historical document. Surveyor, astronomer, publisher, patriot, published by john wiley and sons. Rhetorical analysis on benjamin bannekers letter essay sample. He touches on the topics of the way blacks were treated and seen by the. Benjamin banneker, the negro mathematician and astronomer. Benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson, 1791. Fordham speaks on the debate that pioneering black scientist benjamin bannker had against future president thomas jefferson on. Biography of benjamin banneker, author and naturalist. 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. I am fully sensible of the greatness of that freedom which i take with you on the present occasion.
See more ideas about benjamin banneker, black history and african american inventors. Students read and analyze excerpts from a letter from scientist benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson challenging jefferson s view of african americans. Students were directed to write an essay that analyzes how banneker uses rhetorical. Rhetorical device benjamin banneker letter to thomas. Benjamin banneker, an early africanamerican mathematician and scientist, wrote thomas jefferson and called him out on his stance on slavery. Benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson rhetorical analysis in a letter to thomas jefferson an advocate for slavery and framer of the declaration of independence. He attended grammar school only briefly, but banneker s keen innate intelligence enabled him to teach. 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. Ap english language and composition 2010 freeresponse. Dear benjamin banneker paperback september 1, 1998. Banneker s accomplishments and the wellknown exchange of letters between banneker and tj are described in silvio a. 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. He felt that what he had to say was so important that it was worth the risk.
Mar 05, 2016 author, historian, and lecturer damon l. Included in the download are printable versions of the 2 letters, a worksheet of critical thinking questions, an. What was benjamin bannekers letter to thomas jefferson. Jefferson papers title from thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, 30 august 1791 author jefferson, thomas recipient banneker, benjamin date 30 august 1791 reference cite as from thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, 30 august 1791, founders online, national archives. Copy of a letter from benjamin banneker to the secretary of state, with his answer. Rhetorical analysis of banneker to jefferson research. After unveiling the contradiction within the constitution and the country itself, banneker appeals to religion to further weaken jeffersons proslavery stance. 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. Benjamin banneker debates thomas jefferson youtube. 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. Letter from benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson 1791. American attitudes toward the negro, 15501812 chapel hill, n. Benjamin banneker uses logos to establish his arguments kibin. To thomas jefferson from benjamin banneker, 19 august 1791 maryland.
Benjamin banneker was a selftaught american astronomer, best known for his almanacs and. His purpose is to connect with thomas jefferson in order for him to take part in abolishing slavery. Thomas jefferson to benjamin banneker, august 30, 1791 created published 17910830 subject headings. Benjamin banneker, a slave, farmer, astronomer, surveyor, and author, establishes ethos, pathos, and logos in his letter to thomas jefferson. Click here for vatican observatory faith and science entries about benjamin banneker. Banneker, a free africanamerican astronomer, mathematician, scientist and writer, published his letter and jeffersons response in a 1793 almanac. Sir, i thank you sincerely for your letter of the 19th. This activity includes 2 primary source letters that thomas jefferson and benjamin banneker exchanged regarding slavery and human equality. Students will write letters on the subject in their own words. To thomas jefferson from benjamin banneker, 19 august 1791 skip navigation. Letter from benjamin banneker to thomas jefferson benjamin banneker was way ahead of his time for african americans.
Excerpts from a letter from benjamin banneker to thomas. Mar 15, 2016 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. He is known for being part of a group led by major andrew ellicott that surveyed the original borders of. In benjamin banneker s letter to thomas jefferson he argues that he wants slavery to be discontinued.