3. What role did the issue of slavery play in the Constitutional Convention?

Slavery played a significant role in the Constitutional Convention. One question dealt with whether slaves should be included in the count of a state’s population. Since the population of a state determined representation in the House of Representatives, this was an important issue to resolve. The South wanted slaves to be fully counted because this would give them more representatives in the House of Representatives. The North did not want slaves to be counted at...

Slavery played a significant role in the Constitutional Convention. One question dealt with whether slaves should be included in the count of a state’s population. Since the population of a state determined representation in the House of Representatives, this was an important issue to resolve. The South wanted slaves to be fully counted because this would give them more representatives in the House of Representatives. The North did not want slaves to be counted at all because the slaves were not citizens and had no freedoms. Additionally, if slaves were not counted, the North would have more influence in the House of Representatives. An agreement, called the Three-Fifths Compromise, said five slaves would be counted as three people.

There was also a debate regarding the issue of the trading of slaves. An agreement was made that there would be no restrictions regarding the trading of slaves for twenty years.

Slavery was an important issue that was debated and discussed at the Constitutional Convention.