The US Constitution, 3/5, and the Slave Trade Clause: Crash Course Black American History #9

Summary

This script from Crash Course Black American History explores the paradox of America's founding ideals versus its practice, highlighting the US Constitution's role in perpetuating slavery. It discusses the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Slave Trade Clause, which economically benefited all states while dehumanizing enslaved people. The video challenges the romanticized view of the Founding Fathers, emphasizing the complex truths of American history where freedom and opportunity came at the expense of many.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The US Constitution, despite its aspirations, did not initially apply to millions of people, especially enslaved individuals, and reinforced racial caste systems.
• 🎭 Clint Smith uses the analogy of a child wanting to be a pro wrestler to illustrate the gap between aspiration and reality, similar to America's identity and its historical actions.
• 📜 The Constitution's founding document did not abolish slavery but rather recommitted to it, which was seen as a moral indictment by many, including abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.
• 🤝 The Founders had the opportunity to start fresh and end slavery but chose not to, reflecting their values and the social hierarchy they envisioned.
• 👥 The word 'slave' was deliberately omitted from the Constitution to avoid historical judgment, yet the institution was deeply embedded in the document's provisions.
• 💼 Slavery was economically lucrative, and many Founders were slave owners, which influenced the Constitution's clauses regarding representation and trade.
• 🔢 The Three-Fifths Compromise was a legislative compromise that counted enslaved individuals as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of political representation and taxation.
• 🌐 The Slave Trade Clause allowed the importation of enslaved people until 1808 without federal regulation, reflecting a compromise between Northern and Southern economic interests.
• 🗳️ The compromises in the Constitution had profound implications for the balance of power in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College.
• 💔 The Constitution's legacy is one of both creating opportunity and perpetuating injustice, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of American history.
• 🤔 The script challenges the traditional narrative of the Founding Fathers, urging a more nuanced understanding of their roles and the document they created.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the Crash Course Black American History episode presented by Clint Smith?

The main theme is the disconnect between the ideals expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the reality of racial inequality and slavery that persisted in America.

How does Clint Smith illustrate the concept of aspiration versus reality in the context of the U.S. Constitution?

Smith uses the analogy of his childhood desire to be a pro wrestler to explain how America's aspirations as a nation were not reflected in the lived experiences of millions of people, particularly regarding the institution of slavery.

Why is it ironic that the place where the U.S. Constitution was drafted is called Independence Hall?

It is ironic because while the United States was born there, millions of people living in the U.S. became even less free following the Constitution's ratification, as it did not abolish slavery.

What was the moral indictment of the United States by abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison in 1854?

Garrison burned a copy of the Constitution, calling it 'a covenant with death and an agreement with Hell,' to protest the fact that the Constitution did not abolish slavery.

Why did the Founding Fathers avoid using the word 'slave' in the Constitution?

The Founding Fathers knew that slavery was morally wrong and something they should be ashamed of, so they avoided using the term to prevent it from being directly associated with the document.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise and why was it significant?

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a clause in the Constitution that counted enslaved individuals as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of determining a state's population and political representation. It was significant because it dehumanized enslaved people and influenced the balance of political power.

How did the Three-Fifths Compromise affect the political dynamics of the House of Representatives and the Electoral College?

The compromise gave Southern states more political power by partially counting enslaved people in their populations, which in turn affected the number of representatives they could send to the House and the electoral votes they could cast.

What is the Slave Trade Clause and what does it imply about the economic interests of the Founding Fathers?

The Slave Trade Clause allowed states to continue the importation of enslaved people until 1808 without federal regulation. It implies that many of the Founding Fathers recognized the economic benefits of slavery and were willing to compromise on moral principles for economic gain.

How did the Slave Trade Clause create a compromise between the Northern and Southern colonies regarding slavery?

The clause allowed Southern colonies to continue benefiting from the slave trade, which was essential to their economy, while also allowing Northern colonies, where slavery had been abolished, to avoid direct involvement in the trade.

What was the long-term impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Slave Trade Clause on the United States?

The Three-Fifths Compromise and the Slave Trade Clause institutionalized slavery in the United States, leading to a prolonged period of racial inequality and human rights abuses that took a Civil War and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives to begin to rectify.

How does Clint Smith suggest we should view the Founding Fathers and the Constitutional Convention in the context of American history?

Smith suggests that we should hold multiple truths about the Founding Fathers and the Constitutional Convention: acknowledging their role in creating a nation of opportunity while also recognizing the human cost and racial injustice that were integral to its founding.