The United States Constitution is one of most know historical document in the whole history of the United States. However when the constitution was made was it truly made to help build a better union, or really just a certain group of people? The United States Constitution was hypocritical at the time it was written, because it did not establish Justice for the workers because the government never paid back the bonds they promised, it did not help form a better union by making farmers pay in currency, and for sure did not secure the blessings of liberty for slaves or their posterity. The United States Constitution was hypocritical on the fact that it did not establish Justice to the workers of America when it was made. The workers of America had fought in the Revolutionary War for a government they believed in.
Slavery denied basic human rights for people. People need basic rights. But slaves did not have them. For example, parents had no control over their kids future (Doc. 1). The master could sell the kid and the parents could not do a thing about it as slaves (Doc. 1).
You can see this in Document B, wherein 1858 Lincoln says this: “I have no purpose . . . to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists . . .” Later on in the same document he also states, “There is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights . . . in the Declaration of Independence- the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” While Lincoln was running for president, he promised to leave slavery alone in the South, but he also stays true to his personal morals through his time, that slavery
The Constitution that the framers desired is drastically different than what it represents within a modern-day presidency. This essay’s main focus is on why the framers would not support the modern presidency, and a real-world example, from the modern presidency, which the framers would dislike. The framers of the Constitution did not want the president to be influenced by any outside sources, which include the demands of the people. However, the modern president responds to the popular demands of the people. The modern-day president is usually influenced by majority public opinion.
Are “all men created equal”? Why did the Constitution allow slavery to continue? The framers of the Constitution allowed slavery to continue because of political, economic, and social issues. They wanted their nation to be unified and the number of states to stay intact. They wanted to secure wealth and slavery was a great part of their economy.
The document itself emphasized heavily on the rights that should be ensured to each and every American, but those rights were usually denied to those bound to servitude. The Constitution did nothing to halt the progression of slavery as the book stated, “The framers of the Constitution left slavery’s status within the existing states under the jurisdiction of the state legislatures” (Pg. 135). This quote explains that the Constitution took no formal stance on the matter of slavery, instead left the matter in the hands of the states. However, there were still provisions in the Constitution that protected slavery for years to come.
Slavery had been a highly debated issue, and it was decided that it was perfectly just to have it allowed in the country. It was quite shocking that slavery was carried out for such as long period of time. For example, it is said in the Declaration of Independence that ¨All men are created equal,¨ with the guaranteed rights of ¨Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.¨ (Document A) Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness are a part of the founding ideals. Yet, slavery grants none of this. In fact, it does quite the opposite.
8. If the law requires you to uphold an injustice to another, then what should you do? Rebel and not uphold an injustice to another. 9. Why was Thoreau jailed?
In Douglass’s “The Constitution and Slavery,” he begins by warning his reader that although he may hold one particular opinion today if presented honest and compelling evidence he may change it tomorrow (pg. 37). Douglass also acknowledges nuances in interpretations of the Constitution among anti-slavery groups who may agree with his opinion or oppose it (pg. 38). With these disclaimers in mind, Douglass goes on to elaborately explain his stance that Constitution does allow slavery in both vague and explicit terms. (pg. 39)
The Constitution represented a chance for a new government created by the Framers. After the Articles of Confederation failed, the Constitution represented a new chance for a representative government. However, most Americans recognize this isn’t demonstrated by the creators and the Constitution itself. The Framers were known to be wealthy, property-owning white men. On top of this, of the fifty five creators of the Constitution, twenty five of them enslaved African Americans and exploited Black labor.
In Document C, William Lloyd Garrison discusses how the words “slavery” and “slaves” are not found in the Constitution. The Constitution is not in favor of slavery and does not tolerate slavery being said or used. This is because the Constitution is built on liberty and freedom. In addition, slaves are being trafficked as merchandise and goods rather than humans (Document C) which goes against liberty and freedom in the constitution. African-American were still considered slaves and were treated like mechanized objects instead of humans beings.
After writing Walden, Henry David Thoreau spent a night in jail after refusing to pay a poll tax. This influential night in jail caused him to write one of his most famous essays “Resistance to Civil Government”, or better known as “Civil Disobedience”. This famous essay is about acting on one’s conscience and not following laws that were deemed morally unjust. He encourages readers to determine what they think is right and wrong and to not base their opinions off of those created by society. In 1854 Henry David Thoreau wrote two more influential essays, “Slavery in Massachusetts” and “A Plea for Captain John Brown”, in them he lectured against slavery, the Fugitive Slave Law, and defended the radical abolitionist, John Brown.
Rights are a foundation for a society's survival. Rights are defined as power or privileges granted to people either by an agreement among themselves or by law. African American slaves were widely traded for their labor and aid in the production of crops, such as cotton throughout the American colonies. They were viewed as property and disregarded as human beings. From the start of American history, African Africans were treated unfairly and given fewer rights than white Americans.
In 1787, I would not have voted to ratify the constitution because it did not list anything that would protect my natural rights, only giving government more power than necessary. Before the Constitution was written, the American Colonies were under the unfairly exaggerated control of the British Monarch. From 1775 to 1783, America fought against Britain driven by the goal of becoming an independent nation; the Americans won this war and obtained their natural rights as people - people meaning white male, property owners. Regardless of whether people’s rights were defined and protected in the Constitution, my rights would not have been, since in most Americans’ eyes, I would not have been a “person”, but only a woman. However for some white
In “Slavery in Massachusetts”, Henry David Thoreau expresses his disappointments towards the citizens of Concord because of how they dismiss the issue of slavery at their
