What was the central issue in framing the US Constitution?
Federal Powers. A central issue at the Convention was whether the federal government or the states would have more power. Many delegates believed that the federal government should be able to overrule state laws, but others feared that a strong federal government would oppress their citizens.
Why was slavery an issue in creating the Constitution?
The Constitution gave the federal government the power to put down domestic rebellions, including slave insurrections. The framers of the Constitution believed that concessions on slavery were the price for the support of southern delegates for a strong central government.
Who has the responsibility for settling disputes over meaning in the Constitution?
Judicial branch
What were the main points of disagreement on the issue of slavery?
The first dispute concerned whether the right to slavery should be enshrined in the Constitution. The Southern delegates wanted the Constitution to explicitly recognize and protect the right to own slaves while the Northern delegates did not. This dispute was settled in favor of the North.
How did the issue of slavery increase sectional tensions?
The issue of slavery caused tension between the North and the South. Some Northern workers and immigrants opposed slavery because it was an economic threat to them. Because slaves did not work for pay, free workers feared that managers would employ slaves rather than them.
How did the South justify slavery quizlet?
What reasons did the south used to justify slavery? The heart of the defense of slavery lay the claim of black inferiority. They said that black enslavement was both necessary and proper, because Africans were lesser beings.
What jobs were available to free African American in the South?
By 1849 there were 50 different types of work listed – including 50 carpenters, 43 tailors, 9 shoemakers, and 21 butchers. By 1860, Charleston’s free black men engaged in at least 65 different occupations, although 10 occupations provided employment for almost half of them and 81% of all skilled free black workers.
Why did Southern states want to keep slaves?
The south wanted slavery mainly because they wanted to be able to have workers but not have to pay them. This way the South could make more money to either buy more slaves, more land, and be able to pay their taxes. The South also depended on slavery to keep the growth of their farms, and plantations good.
Which states will benefit of black slaves are counted in the population figures?
“ Only the Southern states had large numbers of slaves. Counting them as part of the population would greatly increase the South’s political power, but it would also mean paying higher taxes. This was a price the Southern states were willing to pay.