Why did the founders not include freedom from slavery as a basic right in the Constitution?

• A. It was not a widespread concern among the founders
• B. States dependent on slavery threatened to reject the Constitution
• C. The focus was on economic issues rather than social rights
• D. There was a lack of consensus on civil rights among the delegates

Answer: (B)

The inclusion of freedom from slavery as a basic right in the Constitution was significantly impacted by the interests and political power of states that relied on the institution of slavery. Many of the founders were aware that these states would resist ratification of the Constitution if it included strong opposition to slavery or outright abolition. The need to create a unified country that could survive and thrive economically was a paramount concern for the founders.

This situation led to compromises, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, which allowed slave states to count enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation in Congress. This compromise highlights the delicate balancing act the founders performed to ensure that states would agree to the Constitution. By not explicitly including freedom from slavery as a fundamental right, the founders aimed to secure the support of slave-holding states and facilitate the establishment of the new government.

The concerns about unity and cooperation among the states thus overshadowed the moral imperatives regarding slavery, resulting in a Constitution that did not address the issue of human rights for enslaved individuals.