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The Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the Issue of Slavery in the United States

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The 1787 Constitutional Convention was a defining moment in U.S. history, addressing the contentious issue of slavery. Delegates from various states debated fiercely, leading to significant compromises such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Fugitive Slave Clause, and the Slave Trade Clause. These agreements allowed for the drafting of the U.S. Constitution but also set the stage for future conflicts, including the Civil War. The Founding Fathers' own conflicted views on slavery mirrored the nation's complex relationship with the institution.

The Constitutional Convention and the Compromise on Slavery

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a critical juncture in the formation of the United States, where delegates convened to draft a new constitution to replace the inadequate Articles of Confederation. A contentious issue that emerged was the institution of slavery, which had been entrenched in American society since the 1600s. The debates at the Convention revealed the profound regional disagreements that would later culminate in the Civil War. Delegates from Northern states, where slavery was less integral, often clashed with Southern representatives who depended on slavery for their agrarian economies. The Constitution ultimately included clauses that appeased both sides: it tacitly acknowledged the existence of slavery and protected slaveholders' rights, while also including mechanisms that anticipated the eventual abolition of the institution, all without using the term "slavery."
Late 18th-century colonial men in frock coats and tricorn hats engaged in discussion around a table with quill pens and papers in a high-ceilinged room.

Slavery During the Revolutionary Era and the Path to Abolition

The American Revolutionary War introduced new complexities to the issue of slavery. The British Army's promise of freedom enticed an estimated 20,000 enslaved people to flee their American masters and join the British cause. Initially, the Continental Army prohibited the enlistment of enslaved individuals, but this policy was reversed by General George Washington, who recognized the strategic necessity of allowing Black men to serve. Despite their contributions, Black soldiers faced persistent discrimination, and in 1792, the newly formed United States Congress barred Black men from military service. Following independence, several states began to dismantle the institution of slavery, with Vermont's constitution of 1777 being the first to ban it, and Pennsylvania initiating a gradual abolition in 1780. By the early 19th century, all Northern states had passed legislation to abolish slavery, setting a precedent for the eventual national abolition.

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00

In ______, the ______ ______ was a pivotal event in shaping the United States, aiming to create a new governing document.

1787

Constitutional

Convention

01

The ______ ______ faced a major challenge regarding the role of ______ in American society, a practice dating back to the ______.

Constitutional

Convention

slavery

1600s

02

British Army's promise to enslaved people

Offered freedom to enslaved individuals for joining their cause, enticing about 20,000 to escape and join.

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