Final answer:
The framers of the Constitution did not deal with inequality because they aimed to maintain national unity and avoid contentious issues like slavery that could disrupt the formation of the new government. The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed for this by counting enslaved individuals for representation purposes without granting full personhood. Pragmatism and the goal of a stronger national government played key roles in their decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The framers of the Constitution did not deal with inequality because they wanted to convince the people in the free states to tolerate slavery. While the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson, articulated the principle that "all men are created equal," the framers of the Constitution were faced with the deeply entrenched institution of slavery and substantial political opposition to abolition. The pragmatic compromises they made, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, allowed them to form a more perfect union without directly addressing the contradiction between the ideals of liberty and the realities of chattel slavery.
Additionally, the framers aimed to create a stronger national government but did not wish to eliminate state governments. As such, the Articles of Confederation and latterly the Constitution permitted considerable state autonomy, which, in the southern states, meant the perpetuation of slavery. The framers' overall goal was to protect and enhance liberty, but the institution of slavery was considered a necessary evil by many, one that was too controversial and divisive to resolve during the creation of the foundational government documents.