3 Sep 2022 1:59 am
3. By the time of the Revolution slavery was heavily entrenched in the colonies. Slavery was introduced as a British institution, not an American institution. After the revolution the question of slavery was very much on the minds of the Founding Fathers (FF). The creation of a government was a more pressing issue and slavery was so ingrained by the British they weren't able to address it and come to a consensus. It would have to wait. Nevertheless, ALL of the prominent FF were able to get wording placed into the Constitution which even the Southern Slave states knew would have to be addressed at some point in time. The FF at the Constitutional Convention were actually the first governing body on record to address the morality of slavery. And by the way, Jefferson did not father Sally Hemming's children and he was in fact one of the most ardent proponents for the abolition of slavery at the outset.
What was agreed upon at the convention when the Constitution was written was that the issue of slavery could not be addressed by the new government until the year 1800. Constitution was in 1789 so this meant for 11 years no bill could be introduced regarding slavery. It was thought and hoped by that time a transition to a nation free of slavery would be possible.
At 12:01 AM on January 1st of the year 1800 the Congress stayed up in a late session to vote on the 1st bill in the US (or the World) to address the issue of slavery. While they weren't successful in completely abolishing slavery, they were able to pass a bill abolishing the importation of any more slaves from outside the US. In other words, no new slaves could be brought from the African continent. Slaves already present were still permitted, as were their offspring. But it was a huge step and a 1st in human history.
What was agreed upon at the convention when the Constitution was written was that the issue of slavery could not be addressed by the new government until the year 1800. Constitution was in 1789 so this meant for 11 years no bill could be introduced regarding slavery. It was thought and hoped by that time a transition to a nation free of slavery would be possible.
At 12:01 AM on January 1st of the year 1800 the Congress stayed up in a late session to vote on the 1st bill in the US (or the World) to address the issue of slavery. While they weren't successful in completely abolishing slavery, they were able to pass a bill abolishing the importation of any more slaves from outside the US. In other words, no new slaves could be brought from the African continent. Slaves already present were still permitted, as were their offspring. But it was a huge step and a 1st in human history.