History

Based on your reading of chapter 1, "Madison Hemings," explain why many American historians have tended to dismiss Madison Hemings's memoirs?

Offer both the broader and the more specific reasons, and cite examples of individual historians discussed in this chapter. (Min. 200 words.)

What was the contentious political context in which James Callender made and published his accusations about the Jefferson–Hemings affair (e.g. the major disagreements, fights, and in-fighting between parties and political camps of the day)?

Cite from the pages that support your answer. 

(Min. 100 words.)

BONUS: What is the origin of Callender's account about the Jefferson–Hemings affair, i.e. where and from whom did Callender get his scandalous information?

Cite from the pages that support your answer. 

(Min. 100 words.)

Based Gordon-Reed's conclusions in this chapter, what is the circumstantial evidence (not DNA) – or "patterns" (incl. residency, travel) – that suggest Thomas Jefferson was probably the father of Hemings's children while other men could not have been?

Cite from the pages that support your answer. 

(Min. 100 words.)

Until recently, why has one side of this oral history been deemed more reliable than (and preferable to) the other?

Cite from the pages that support your answer. 

(Min. 100 words.)