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Evaluate the extent to which the African Americans influenced the writing of the...

Oct 16, 2023

Evaluate the extent to which the African Americans influenced the writing of the constitutions.

Key Concept

KC-3.2.II: In the late 18th century, African Americans, both enslaved and free, faced a complex reality. While some were included in the political community, others were increasingly marginalized and denied basic human rights. Essay: The influence of African Americans on the writing of the constitutions was largely indirect, as they were not directly involved in the drafting process due to the pervasive racial discrimination of the time. However, the existence of slavery and the question of African American rights significantly shaped the debates and compromises that went into the creation of these foundational documents. The broader historical context of this period was characterized by a tension between the ideals of liberty and equality espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the reality of racial inequality and slavery. This tension was reflected in the constitutions, particularly in the U.S. Constitution's three-fifths compromise, which counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation. The framers of the constitutions grappled with the issue of slavery, leading to key compromises such as the aforementioned three-fifths compromise and the decision to allow the importation of slaves until 1808. These decisions were influenced by the economic and social realities of slavery, which was deeply entrenched in the Southern states. The struggle for African American rights also influenced the writing of state constitutions during this period. For example, the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, which declared all men to be born free and equal, was later interpreted by the state's Supreme Court to prohibit slavery. In summary, while African Americans did not directly participate in the writing of the constitutions, their existence and the societal issues surrounding race and slavery significantly influenced the content and compromises of these documents.

What were the key compromises related to slavery in the U.S. Constitution?, How did the issue of slavery influence the writing of state constitutions?, What was the three-fifths compromise and why was it included in the U.S. Constitution?