Question

Why did the delegates not abolish slavery? o slavery was accepted by the men at the convention, but they would abolish it in the future. o no one wanted to debate the issue and cause division. o it was to be abolished with the next generation. o there was no place to put statements concerning freedoms in the document.

Answer 1

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention did not abolish slavery due to sectional divisions and disagreements. Compromises were made to protect slavery and secure support from southern states, but this set the stage for future debates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention did not abolish slavery because of the sectional divisions and disagreements surrounding the issue.

Some delegates from the South wanted enslaved people to be counted for purposes of representation and taxation, while some delegates from the North opposed slavery altogether and did not want it included in the new national plan of government.

To maintain a fragile balance and secure support from southern states, compromises were made to protect slavery, but this also set the stage for future debates that would threaten the union.

Answer 2

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 did not abolish slavery for several reasons, and none of the options presented in the question accurately captures the complexities of the situation.

1. Economic and Political Interests: Many delegates from Southern states were dependent on slavery for their economic prosperity, primarily in agriculture, and were reluctant to abolish it due to economic interests and concerns over representation in Congress.

2. Compromises: The Convention was marked by numerous compromises, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, which addressed how enslaved individuals would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation.

3. Political Unity: The delegates were focused on creating a unified and stable government, and the issue of slavery was divisive. Avoiding direct confrontation on the issue helped maintain unity among the states.

Abolishing slavery was a complex and contentious matter that would take several decades and significant social and political changes to address in the United States.