Historians In Awe Over Discovery At Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Property

James Monroe Wanted To Free Slaves By Shipping Them Out Of America

Monroe wanted to free slaves but he didn’t want them to stay in America. The former U.S. President supported the idea of creating colonies in Africa where freed slaves could be sent to live. The nation of Liberia would be established with the capital of Monrovia, named in his honor. However, Monroe’s family owned over 100 slaves who worked on their plantations, a direct contradiction to his desires.

Monroe would eventually say he felt “taunted” by progressive revolutionaries in other countries who saw the continued use of slaves in America as a sign the country couldn’t stand on its own or provide the freedoms being promised by its founding fathers. Monroe was known to say he wanted to abolish slavery but only if slave owners could find a way to make money and maintain their privilege without the use of slaves.