Overview
This lecture covers the complex role of slavery during the Constitutional Convention, its economic and moral implications, and how it shaped the nation's founding document.
Slavery at the Constitutional Convention
- Slavery was a persistent background issue at the Constitutional Convention.
- Many delegates, including slaveholders like Madison, recognized slavery's immorality.
- For the Southern states, slavery was seen as essential to their economy.
- The delegates did not attend the Convention specifically to address slavery.
Moral and Political Contradictions
- Slavery was acknowledged as a contradiction to American ideals like "all men are created equal."
- Many Founders, even slave owners, struggled with the conflict between slavery and American principles.
- Slavery is often called the Constitution's "original sin" due to its contradiction of core values.
Debates and Compromises
- Abolishing slavery was not a realistic option since every state except Massachusetts had slaves in 1787.
- There was a major divide between North (less dependent on slavery) and South (economically tied to slavery).
- Economic interests strongly influenced delegates' stances on slavery protections.
- The draft Constitution prepared by John Rutledge initially included strong protections for slavery.
- Northern discomfort led to calls for re-examining and softening these pro-slavery provisions.
Outcomes and Limitations
- Most delegates were morally opposed to slavery but prioritized creating a unified nation.
- Southern delegates, especially from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, would not join a union that abolished slavery.
- The Constitution never explicitly mentions the word "slavery," reflecting the discomfort of addressing it directly.
- Abolishing slavery at the Convention would not have freed any slaves, as Southern states would refuse to join the Union.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Constitutional Convention — 1787 meeting where the U.S. Constitution was drafted.
- Original sin (of the Constitution) — The foundational contradiction of allowing slavery in a nation founded on liberty.
- Abolition — The movement to end slavery.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Constitutional provisions and clauses relating to slavery.
- Prepare for discussion on the impacts of these compromises on later American history.