I Need A Write-Up Of At Least 350 Words On Writing And Appro ✓ Solved

I Need A Write Up Of At Least 350 Words On Writing And Approving The

I need a write-up of at least 350 words on "Writing and Approving the Constitution." Your postings are your reactions and educated opinions, NOT merely a retelling of the historical event. Read the three YAWP readings. Read Thomas Jefferson’s response letter to Benjamin Banneker. Read the “Meaning of Race” on pages 171 – 174 of the US History online text. Within the Constitution, read Article I, Section 2, Clause 3; Article I, Section 9, Clause 1; and Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3. Of the first 18 presidents of the U.S., 12 either owned slaves or came from slave owning families. Supreme Court Justices owned slaves. Congressmen, governors, and other local and military leaders owned slaves. By 1787, the year the Constitution was written, the United States had been using slave labor to build the economy for 168 years. Using the instructions above, the provided learning materials, and your own research:

• Create a conversation starter about these learnings.
• If we study history so that we don't repeat the mistakes of the past, what do we need to learn and know from this time period?
• Pose 3 questions from your learning to your fellow students to create further discussions.

After reading about Cato and Benjamin Banneker, what are your thoughts on what Thomas Jefferson said in his letter? Does the Constitution protect slavery and the right to own slaves? Explain. What are the connections between slavery, the 3/5 Compromise, determination of representation in the House of Representatives, and the Electoral College?

Paper For Above Instructions

The process of writing and approving the United States Constitution is a pivotal moment in American history, reflecting the complexities of governance, representation, and moral dilemmas surrounding slavery. The Constitution, ratified in 1788, established a framework for the United States government but was marred by the contentious issue of slavery, evident through provisions like the Three-Fifths Compromise, which highlighted the struggle between different political interests within the young nation.

One major takeaway from studying the YAWP readings and Jefferson's letter to Banneker is the apparent contradiction between the principles of liberty espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the simultaneous existence of slavery. Jefferson, a slave owner himself, articulated a vision for America that presumed a certain level of racial hierarchy and subjugation. In his letter to Banneker, he acknowledged the potential of African Americans but failed to embrace their equal status. This underscores a fundamental question: Can the ideals of freedom coexist with the practice of slavery? This tension is further complicated by the Constitution, which, while advocating for liberty, included clauses that protected the institution of slavery.

The Three-Fifths Compromise reflects this dichotomy starkly; it allowed slave states to count three-fifths of their slave populations for representation in Congress, thereby enhancing their political power while fundamentally dehumanizing individuals. The baseline question posed by this compromise is one of moral integrity. To what extent should a nation that champions equality and individual rights permit such a dehumanizing calculation? The endorsement of slavery—implicitly and explicitly—casts a long shadow over the constitutional framework and raises important discussions about representation and justice in government.

Moreover, the tie between slavery and representation in the electoral process raises critical questions about the legitimacy of political power drawn from oppression. The Electoral College, shaped by these underlying tensions, reflects how slavery influenced American democracy. When certain populations, particularly Black individuals, were considered 'less than full persons' for electoral counts, the foundational concept of one person, one vote was inherently flawed. Thus, while the Constitution laid the groundwork for a durable republic, it was built upon the very unequal foundations of slavery and disenfranchisement.

If we are to learn from this historical period, we must confront the uncomfortable truths surrounding America’s founding documents and question how they have perpetuated inequality. This leads to critical inquiries for further discussion. First, how should today's society reconcile the founding ideals of liberty with the Constitution's allowances for slavery? Second, have we successfully moved beyond the compromises made during the founding of the nation? Finally, how can present-day discussions of race and equity draw from these historical lessons without repeating the mistakes of the past?

In conclusion, the writing and approval of the Constitution was a complex negotiation that balanced the interests of various factions while embedding contradictions that would plague the nation. Understanding this history is crucial; it informs contemporary debates about race, rights, and representation, necessitating a comprehensive reflection on the legacies of the past as we strive for a more just future.

References

• YAWP Readings
• Jefferson, T. (n.d.). Letter to Benjamin Banneker.
• US History Online Text, “Meaning of Race.”
• U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2, Clause 3.
• U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9, Clause 1.
• U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3.
• Foner, E. (2010). A Short History of the Reconstruction. HarperCollins.
• McPherson, J. M. (2009). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Ellison, R. (1995). The Collected Essays of Ralph Ellison. Modern Library.