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Common historical fallacies: Difference between revisions

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** but even the most objectively-minded teacher has as a point of view, an underlying outlook
** but even the most objectively-minded teacher has as a point of view, an underlying outlook


== George Washington did not cut down a cherry tree ==
== George Washington did not cut down a cherry treae ==
* that Washington cut down a cherry tree and, when confronted about it by his father, replied, "I cannot tell a lie" has been considered a fabrication
* that Washington cut down a cherry tree and, when confronted about it by his father, replied, "I cannot tell a lie" has been considered a fabrication
* Parson Weems told the story in the 5th edition of his "The Life of Washington" (1806)
* Parson Weems told the story in the 5th edition of his "The Life of Washington" (1806)
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*** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_and_Resolves_of_the_First_Continental_Congress
*** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_and_Resolves_of_the_First_Continental_Congress
*** https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/resolves.asp
*** https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/resolves.asp
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* the phrase "all men" logically refers to "all people" because:
* the phrase "all men" logically refers to "all people" because:
** as included in the Declaration of Independence, the clause "that all men are created equal",  
** as included in the Declaration of Independence, the clause "that all men are created equal",  
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<pre>We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,  That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.</pre>
<pre>We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,  That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.</pre>
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* with that primary purpose, the statement of equality of "all men are created equal" does, in fact, mean what it says
* with that primary purpose, the statement of equality of "all men are created equal" does, in fact, mean what it says
** which does, in fact, create a hypocrisy of its political and legal application to white males
** which does, in fact, create a hypocrisy of its political and legal application to white males
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* Note that about75% of total cotton production was exported
* Note that about75% of total cotton production was exported
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[[File:Slavery in the 13 colonies.jpg|thumb|Enslaved populations in the Thirteen Colonies in 1770.[1]]]
[[File:Slavery in the 13 colonies.jpg|thumb|Enslaved populations in the Thirteen Colonies in 1770.[1]]]
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* non-black population growth exceeded that of blacks (free and slave) for all decennial (every 10 years) census counts except 1810 & 1880
* non-black population growth exceeded that of blacks (free and slave) for all decennial (every 10 years) census counts except 1810 & 1880
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==== logical fallacy 3: colonial per capita wealth not reliant upon slavery ====
==== logical fallacy 3: colonial per capita wealth not reliant upon slavery ====
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=== Slavery was not profitable ===
=== Slavery was not profitable ===
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- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII
- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII
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==== Fallacy no. 2: white slave owners did not free their slaves ====
==== Fallacy no. 2: white slave owners did not free their slaves ====
* slave owners did free slaves and sometimes all of their slaves, as did Virginia plantation owner Robert Carter III
* slave owners did free slaves and sometimes all of their slaves, as did Virginia plantation owner Robert Carter III
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* from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Carter_III#Manumission
* from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Carter_III#Manumission
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