What Role Did Slavery Play In The Development Of The United States Essay

Words: 908
Pages: 4

Saylor Sawyer
US History 1301
10/11/16 - 10/14/16

Midterm Essay Questions
 Explain the role of slavery in the development of the United States up to this point. Make sure to discuss and cite evidence that supports your argument and cover the entire period from the founding original 13 colonies to the writing of the Constitution

When Jefferson was asked to write the Declaration of Independence more than 500,000 black Americans were slaves. Jefferson himself owned more than 100. Slaves made up for about one-fifth of the population in the American colonies. Most of the slaves lived in the Southern Colonies, where slaves made up 40 percent of the population. There was a big conflict over slavery even though the Connecticut Compromise solved one of the most difficult problems faced by the convention. The Connecticut Compromise also debated whether to count slaves in the apportionment of the new lower house. Most of the Southern states were determined that their slaved would and could be counted. On the other hand, the opponents of slavery wished to see slaves taxed as
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George said, “Every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant…slavery discourages arts and manufactures.” Mason also suggested ending the slave trade as a first step to ending slavery. Several people viewed Masons regards sadly. Charles Pinckney argued that all the great republics of the past world had allowed the need of slavery. His cousin, General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, another delegate from South Carolina, told other delegates that his state would never accept the constitution of ending the slave trade. The new congress was then denied access to get rid of the slave trade until 1808. Although the word slavery actually doesn’t exist in the constitution, but a number of reasons in the constitution protect it’s