Another Debate That Occurred At The Constitutional Convention Was Between:A. Free States And Northern States.B. White Americans And African Americans.C. Free States And Slave States.D. Large States And Small States.

Mar 13, 2025 by ADMIN 216 views

**The Great Debate: Free States vs. Slave States at the Constitutional Convention**

The Constitutional Convention, held in 1787, was a pivotal moment in American history. Delegates from various states gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately, they drafted a new constitution that would shape the country's future. One of the most significant debates that took place during this convention was between free states and slave states. This debate had far-reaching consequences, influencing the institution of slavery and the balance of power in the United States.

The Debate: A Clash of Interests

The debate between free states and slave states was a contentious issue from the beginning. The free states, primarily located in the North, were opposed to the expansion of slavery, while the slave states, mainly in the South, were determined to protect and expand the institution. The free states saw slavery as morally reprehensible and an obstacle to economic development, while the slave states relied heavily on slave labor to maintain their agricultural economy.

The Northern Perspective

The Northern delegates, led by figures such as Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, argued that slavery was a morally reprehensible institution that should be abolished. They believed that the Constitution should explicitly prohibit the expansion of slavery, ensuring that the country would eventually become a free society. The Northerners also saw the institution of slavery as an economic burden, as it limited the growth of industry and commerce in the North.

The Southern Perspective

In contrast, the Southern delegates, led by figures such as George Mason and James Madison, argued that slavery was a necessary institution for the economic survival of the South. They believed that the Constitution should protect and expand the institution of slavery, allowing the South to maintain its agricultural economy. The Southerners also saw the abolition of slavery as a threat to their way of life and their economic interests.

The Great Compromise

The debate between free states and slave states was eventually resolved through the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise. This compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, established the bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate based on equal representation for each state. This compromise also included the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a significant concession to the Southern states, as it allowed them to maintain their representation in Congress despite the fact that they had fewer free citizens. This compromise effectively gave the South more representation in Congress than they would have had if they had been counted solely by their free population. The Three-Fifths Compromise also had the effect of increasing the power of the Southern states in the Senate, where each state had equal representation.

The Legacy of the Debate

The debate between free states and slave states at the Constitutional Convention had far-reaching consequences for the United States. The institution of slavery continued to exist, albeit in a modified form, until the Civil War. The Three-Fifths Compromise, in particular, had a profound impact on the balance of power in the country, giving the South disproportionate representation in Congress. The debate also highlighted the deep divisions between the North and South, which would eventually lead to the Civil War.

Conclusion

The debate between free states and slave states at the Constitutional Convention was a pivotal moment in American history. The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were significant concessions to the Southern states, but they also had far-reaching consequences for the country. The debate highlighted the deep divisions between the North and South, which would eventually lead to the Civil War. Today, the legacy of this debate continues to shape American society, serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Key Players

Roger Sherman: A Northern delegate who played a key role in the Great Compromise.
Oliver Ellsworth: A Northern delegate who supported the Great Compromise.
George Mason: A Southern delegate who opposed the abolition of slavery.
James Madison: A Southern delegate who supported the institution of slavery.

Timeline

1787: The Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia.
1787: The Great Compromise is proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth.
1787: The Three-Fifths Compromise is agreed upon.
1861-1865: The Civil War is fought between the Union and the Confederacy.

Sources

The Federalist Papers: A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
The Records of the Constitutional Convention: A collection of documents and speeches from the Constitutional Convention.
The History of the United States: A comprehensive history of the United States by various authors.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Debate between Free States and Slave States at the Constitutional Convention =============================================================================================

The debate between free states and slave states at the Constitutional Convention was a pivotal moment in American history. To help you better understand this complex topic, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers.

Q: What was the main issue at the Constitutional Convention?

A: The main issue at the Constitutional Convention was the debate between free states and slave states. The free states, primarily located in the North, were opposed to the expansion of slavery, while the slave states, mainly in the South, were determined to protect and expand the institution.

Q: Who were the key players in the debate?

A: The key players in the debate were Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth from the North, and George Mason and James Madison from the South.

Q: What was the Great Compromise?

A: The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a proposal by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth that established the bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate based on equal representation for each state.

Q: What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

A: The Three-Fifths Compromise was a concession to the Southern states that counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes. This compromise effectively gave the South more representation in Congress than they would have had if they had been counted solely by their free population.

Q: What were the consequences of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

A: The Three-Fifths Compromise had a profound impact on the balance of power in the country, giving the South disproportionate representation in Congress. This compromise also contributed to the institution of slavery continuing to exist, albeit in a modified form, until the Civil War.

Q: Why was the debate between free states and slave states so contentious?

A: The debate between free states and slave states was contentious because it represented a fundamental disagreement between the North and South over the institution of slavery. The free states saw slavery as morally reprehensible and an obstacle to economic development, while the slave states relied heavily on slave labor to maintain their agricultural economy.

Q: What was the outcome of the debate?

A: The outcome of the debate was the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise. These compromises effectively gave the South more representation in Congress and allowed the institution of slavery to continue, albeit in a modified form.

Q: How did the debate between free states and slave states shape American history?

A: The debate between free states and slave states shaped American history by contributing to the institution of slavery continuing to exist, albeit in a modified form, until the Civil War. The Three-Fifths Compromise also had a profound impact on the balance of power in the country, giving the South disproportionate representation in Congress.

Q: What can we learn from the debate between free states and slave states?

A: We can learn from the debate between free states and slave states that the institution of slavery was a complex and contentious issue that had far-reaching consequences for the country. The debate also highlights the importance of compromise and the need for ongoing dialogue and negotiation to address complex issues.

Q: How can we apply the lessons of the debate between free states and slave states to contemporary issues?

A: We can apply the lessons of the debate between free states and slave states to contemporary issues by recognizing the importance of compromise and ongoing dialogue and negotiation. We can also learn from the debate that complex issues often require nuanced and multifaceted solutions.

Q: What resources are available for further learning about the debate between free states and slave states?

A: There are many resources available for further learning about the debate between free states and slave states, including:

The Federalist Papers: A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
The Records of the Constitutional Convention: A collection of documents and speeches from the Constitutional Convention.
The History of the United States: A comprehensive history of the United States by various authors.

Q: How can we ensure that the lessons of the debate between free states and slave states are not forgotten?

A: We can ensure that the lessons of the debate between free states and slave states are not forgotten by continuing to study and learn about this complex and contentious issue. We can also use the lessons of the debate to inform our ongoing dialogue and negotiation about complex issues.