Slavery Debate at Constitutional Convention — Reading Comprehension

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 brought together delegates from different states to create a new framework of government for the United States. One of the most divisive issues at the convention was the future of slavery. Delegates from Northern and Southern states held sharply contrasting views, which would shape the nation for decades.

Southern states, whose economies depended on enslaved labor, wanted to protect the institution of slavery. They feared that a strong national government might eventually ban slavery, threatening their economic interests. By contrast, many Northern delegates opposed slavery on moral and economic grounds. They argued that slavery violated the new nation’s principles of liberty and equality. However, not all Northerners demanded an immediate end to slavery, as some worried that doing so would make Southern states refuse to join the union.

The debate over slavery exposed deep conflict and contradiction in the founding ideals of the country. On one hand, the Declaration of Independence claimed that “all men are created equal.” On the other hand, many leaders accepted a system that denied basic rights to enslaved people. In the words of delegate Gouverneur Morris, “Upon what principle is it that the slaves shall be computed in the representation? Are they men? Then make them citizens and let them vote!” This quote shows how some delegates questioned the logic of counting enslaved people for representation, while denying them freedom.

To resolve the dispute, the framers created several compromises. The most famous was the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation. This gave Southern states more political power than they would have had if only free people were counted. Another compromise allowed the importation of enslaved people to continue until 1808, after which Congress could ban the slave trade. These solutions were not agreed upon easily. They required difficult negotiation and careful deliberation among the delegates.

The consequences of these compromises were far-reaching. They enabled the Constitution to be ratified and the United States to form a unified government. However, by avoiding a final decision on slavery, the framers left the issue unresolved. This would lead to ongoing tension and eventually to the Civil War decades later. The debate also showed how the nation’s founding documents included both progress and injustice.

From a historical perspective, the slavery debate at the Constitutional Convention reveals the complexities of nation-building. It reminds us that democracy is often messy, requiring hard choices and, at times, painful trade-offs. Understanding this debate helps us recognize why the Constitution includes both the language of freedom and the legacy of inequality.

Interesting Fact: At least 25 of the delegates at the Convention were slaveholders themselves, highlighting the personal interests involved in the debate.

What year was the Constitutional Convention?

Which region wanted to protect slavery?

What did the Three-Fifths Compromise decide?

Why did Northerners oppose slavery?

What did Southern states fear?

How did the compromises affect the U.S.?

The Constitution was signed in September 1787. True or false?

What does 'deliberation' mean?