During the time of the writing of the constitution, most of the southern colonies were dependent on slave labor to produce cash crops, while primarily northern colonies wished to end slavery. This difference caused contention between the colonies when determining slavery in the constitution. A compromise reached, the constitution did not outright address its stance on slavery when it created the ⅗ clause, determined the importation laws of slaves, and the creation of the fugitive slave clause, the constitution continued to allow slavery in the United States.
While the constitution neither promoted nor abolished slavery, the ⅗ clause in the Constitution integrated the counting of slaves as a part of representation in government. The clause created an increase in the southern states representation in the House of representatives, which only strengthened reasons to own slaves. While it isn’t concluding the government endorsed slave ownership in integrating a count which benefited slave ownership; allowing slavery, the government showed the, “greatest of all reflections on human nature,” when they did not
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While the constitution wished to end the slave trade in 1808, prior to that the constitution imposed a tax on imported slaves. While the Constitution wrote the wish to end the slave trade, it would neither take action at the time of ratification nor end slavery, only the importation of additional slaves. While the constitution did strive to limit slavery through ending the slave trade, the government still, “rested on human slavery as its corner-stone(329).” Being an integral part of society, slavery also influenced the constitutions views on slavery. Even though the constitution never expressly promoted slavery, the deep roots of slavery were dug deeper than first viewed at the surface of the