Question

read this excerpt from jean - jacques rousseau. what practice in saint - domingue could these words be used to criticize?
even if each man could alienate himself, he could not alienate his children: they are born men and free; their liberty belongs to them, and no one but they has the right to dispose of it.¹
—jean - jacques rousseau, the social contract, 1762
a. that the children of the affranchis were free as well
b. that the children of slaves were enslaved as well
c. that affranchis were allowed to own land and slaves
d. that french aristocrats owned most of the land in the colony

Explanation:

Rousseau's quote argues that people are born free, and no one can take away another person's inherent liberty, including that of children. In Saint-Domingue, the practice of enslaving the children of enslaved people directly contradicts this, as it denies those children their natural born freedom by treating them as property from birth, which Rousseau's words would criticize. The other options do not conflict with the core idea of inherent, inalienable liberty for children presented in the excerpt.

Answer:

B. That the children of slaves were enslaved as well