Sally Hemings and Martha Jefferson Flashcard

Front

Who was Sally Hemings?

Back

Sally Hemings was an enslaved woman of mixed race who had a long-term relationship with Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States.

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What was Monticello?

Back

Monticello was the plantation owned by Thomas Jefferson, located in Virginia, where Sally Hemings lived.

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What promise did Thomas Jefferson make to Sally Hemings regarding her children?

Back

Jefferson promised to free Sally Hemings' children when they turned 21.

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How did Thomas Jefferson comply with French laws against slavery while in Paris?

Back

He paid Sally Hemings wages, albeit low, compared to what other French workers were paid for similar work.

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What role did Sally Hemings have while in Paris?

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Sally Hemings worked as a dressmaker and hairdresser.

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What was the public reaction to the exposure of Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings?

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The scandal had little impact on Jefferson's popularity.

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Why did Sally Hemings return to Virginia with Thomas Jefferson?

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She returned because Jefferson promised to free her children when they turned 21.

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What was the significance of Sally Hemings' relationship with Thomas Jefferson?

Back

It highlighted the complexities of race, slavery, and personal relationships in early American history.

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What was one of the legal issues surrounding Sally Hemings in France?

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French laws prohibited slavery, which created a legal dilemma for Thomas Jefferson.

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What was the impact of journalist James Callender's revelations about Jefferson and Hemings?

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Although it was a scandal, it had little lasting impact on Jefferson's political career.