Debate over slavery in the framing of the us constitution, History

Assignment Help:

The Debate over Slavery in the Framing of the US Constitution

Another of the most crucial issues that the Framers had to confront was slavery. Although slavery was practiced throughout the United States, it was concentrated in the South, where approximately one-third of the population consisted of African-American slaves. Nineteen of the fifty-five delegates to the Constitutional convention were slaveowners, and the Southern states were unlikely to agree to any form of government that did not protect the institution of slavery. As a result, one of the great ironies of American history is that slavery became stronger and more entrenched during the era in which Americans fought their revolution and created their new republic.

The Constitution does not mention the word "slavery," but does provide for its existence in three ways: First, the three-fifths clause states that, for purposes of determining how many Representatives each state should receive in the House of Representatives, slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person (so, every five slaves would add three people to a state's population.) Supporters of slavery wanted the slaves to be counted so that Southern states would receive more Representatives, but they did not want the slaves to be counted as a full person, because that might suggest that slaves were equal to free white people. Second, the Constitution prohibits Congress from outlawing the importation of slaves (again without actually using the word "slaves") into the U.S. until 1808, which protected the slave trade for roughly twenty years. Third, the Constitution declared that any slaves who escaped were still the property of their masters, and could be captured and returned to their master.

 


Related Discussions:- Debate over slavery in the framing of the us constitution

What do you think hardin''s purpose was, Does Minnie Hardin believe that th...

Does Minnie Hardin believe that there is a need for New Deal programs to help the people living in her community? Why or why not?  According to Hardin, who is being hurt by the

Literature, #questioWhich description best characterizes Lochinvar? A...

#questioWhich description best characterizes Lochinvar? A. brave and handsome B. funny and faithful C. sorrowful and loving D. proud and demanding n..

New orleans and territory west of the mississippi, After the treaty of Pari...

After the treaty of Paris, Spain lost Florida and gained New Orleans and territory west of the Mississippi. This loss was the result of what? A. Spain's alliance with France. B.

Ordinary southerners resented conscription, Ordinary Southerners resented c...

Ordinary Southerners resented conscription because A) the wealthy could pay for a substitute or were exempted from service. B) it violated the basic principle of states' rights. C)

Explain the indian removal act of 1830, In 4-6 sentences, explain how the I...

In 4-6 sentences, explain how the Indian Removal Act of 1830 might have been considered "reform" by Andrew Jackson and other proponents of the measure.

President to go on record as seeing a ufo, Who is the first known president...

Who is the first known president to go on record as seeing a UFO?

Greek philosophy reflected in the modern western worldview, Describe one wa...

Describe one way that you see a particular tenet of Greek philosophy reflected in the modern Western worldview

What were the significant challenges of the roman empire, What were the sig...

What were the significant challenges of the Roman Empire from the beginning of the millennium through the Byzantine Empire?

Civics, I don''t understand natural law

I don''t understand natural law

Challenges mohammad mossadegh, Consider the perceived challenges Mohammad M...

Consider the perceived challenges Mohammad Mossadegh and Gamal abd al-Nasser (Nasser) presented to US interests in 1953 and 1956, respectively. List 3 similarities between the two

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd