Introduction:
Debating the Constitution

At the U.S. Constitutional Convention in 1787, state delegates met to design a new government that would fairly represent the American people, who had recently gained their freedom from the British monarchy. Yet at this time, over 600,000 Americans were enslaved. These men, women, and children were the property of others, and had few rights of their own. As delegates debated the idea of fair representation, how would they address the issue of slavery?

The purpose of this activity is to explore how delegates to the Constitutional Convention decided what to say about slavery in the Constitution.

Next: An American View of Freedom: Watch This!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...

You have probably heard this famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson. In this document, American colonists announced to the world that the newly formed United States of America would be a nation that valued liberty, equality, and the right to self-determination. But about whom did Thomas Jefferson write these words? Would they apply to all Americans?

Watch this video and think about the American view of freedom that was defined by Thomas Jefferson.

Note: You will hear the following words in the video segment. Click on each word to see its definition.

• assertion
• inalienable
• intellectual

After watching, write down your ideas on how this view of freedom might have affected people who lived in the new nation. Use the box below, and click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: Debating Slavery: Watch this!

In 1787, representatives from 12 of the 13 states came to Independence Hall in Philadelphia for a Constitutional Convention. Their task was to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had brought together the 13 individual state governments as one nation. The delegates did not agree on many critical issues. Watch this video to learn about how one issue, slavery, shaped debate at the convention.

Note: You will hear the following word in the video segment. Click on the word to see its definition.

• espousing

As you watch, write down some of the different viewpoints that the delegates had about personal liberty and slavery. Also, write down any questions you have about the debate over slavery. Click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: Read About It!

Think about what you have seen about the debate over slavery at the Constitutional Convention. In this activity, you will read about how this debate was ultimately resolved, and how this compromise affected the future of the nation.

Note: The following words will appear in the interactive activity. Click on each word to see its definition.

• abolishing
• commerce
• immoral
• ratified

Click "View" on the left to begin the activity. Be sure to print your notes before you exit the activity. Your notes will not be saved.

If you want, you can watch the videos again.

Declaring Freedom... But For Whom?

QuickTime Video
Length: 1m 49s

Debating Slavery

QuickTime Video
Length: 2m 27s

Next: Write About It!

You have now explored how the issue of slavery shaped the creation of the United States government. Next you will have the chance to share your ideas about this issue with others.

• Print out your notes. (After you print, your notes will be erased. Make sure you are done before printing.)
  
  
• Print out and read Slavery and the Constitution (Version A) (PDF) or Slavery and the Constitution (Version B) (PDF). Check with your teacher if you are not sure which version to use.
• Then, select and complete a writing assignment from page 2 of the printout.

Note: The following words will appear in the readings. Click on each word to see its definition.

Version A

• abolishing
• commerce
• immoral
• ratified

Version B

• abolished
• commerce
• immoral
• ratified