The document discusses slavery and the compromises made around it during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It describes the differing viewpoints between northern and southern delegates on the issue. Several compromises were reached to gain approval of the Constitution, including counting enslaved people as 3/5 of persons for population, banning the international slave trade but not domestic trade, and requiring escaped slaves to be returned to their owners. The document suggests these compromises allowed the nation to form but did not resolve the moral issue of slavery.

1. In Order to From a More Perfect Union…. Slavery, The Constitution, and Compromise

2. First a Video on the Constitution… Follow along with the lyrics to find out what the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was all about! http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9d8ae895ad2591118466

3. Consider the words….. We the People…. Who does that include? Who does that exclude? In order to form a more perfect Union Why was it necessary to form a MORE perfect union?

4. I. The Status of African Americans A. The Revolution was a fight for FREEDOM. B. African Americans hoped these freedoms would be extended to them as well. C. By 1770 Northern states have, or start to, abolish slavery.

5. II. Viewpoints at the Constitutional Convention A. Delegates from 12 states, with diverse backgrounds. B. Each wants what is best for their state. C. Northern and Southern delegates disagree on the peculiar institution of slavery.

6. Slavery discourages arts and manufacturing…and every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant. ~George Mason

7. Southern states and their delegates claimed that their economies would be in ruins without slavery.

8. III. Compromise A. Most delegates did not want slavery B. South Carolina and Georgia would not approve the Constitution if slavery is prohibited. C. So if you are a delegate what do you do? D. Delegates give in to the South. South

9. IV. The Three-Fifths Compromise A. Southerners want to count slaves in the population count. B. Why? C. = More representatives. D. Northerners disagree E. COMPROMISE! 3/5 slaves count towards population.

10. V. Slave Trade Compromise A. Northern Delegates argue for the slave trade to be banned entirely.

11. V. Slave Trade Compromise B. COMPROMISE C. Congress could not ban the slave trade for 20 years (or until 1807).

12. VI. Fugitive Slave Act A. Slaves = Property B. Under this act if a slave escaped to the north, he must be returned to his rightful owner.

13. VII. In Hindsight A. Compromise was necessary to form a federal government. B. Delegates did what was PRACTICAL, not what was right. C. Slavery will remain a peculiar institution…one that will rip at the seams of our nation.

14. Question for Consideration… With your table group, consider the following question. Imagine you are delegates at the Convention of 1787. What is your proposal in regards to the issue of slavery?

15. I am exceedingly distressed at the proceedings of the Convention – being…almost sure, they will…lay the foundation of a Civil War. ~Elbridge Gerry (Mass.) 1787