Why did the author of All men are created equal Thomas Jefferson remain a slave holder all his life?

Thomas Jefferson, despite his belief in the principle that "all men are created equal," remained a slaveholder throughout his life due to a combination of economic, social, and personal factors. His plantation economy relied heavily on enslaved labor for its profitability, and he inherited many of his slaves, which complicated his ability to free them. Additionally, Jefferson's views on race and slavery were complex; he expressed moral reservations yet struggled to reconcile these with his lifestyle and financial interests. Ultimately, his commitments to Enlightenment ideals clashed with the realities of his circumstances, leading to a lifelong contradiction.