Summary: There have been Quaker petition raised to the House calling for an end to the slave trade. The Congress erupted in argument and debate over the topic. The petitions have been signed by Benjamin Franklin, who has already passed. This created a deep divide between the Congress. Slavery was an issue that could very well divide the nation, so Madison tried to avoid it the subject. One side wanted slavery to be abolished and not to continue in new territories, the other side wanted slavery to expand into new territories. Finally it was decided that Congress at that time would have no authority over slavery, and that slavery would not be brought up
Benjamin Franklin: Oldest member of the Revolutionary generation. He is known for his wit and humor which lightens the mood when there is vigorous debate. Wanted slavery to be on the political agenda so that it wouldn't not be forgotten, so he signed the Quaker petitions.
James Madison: Agreed that slavery was an evil, but thought that the new nation would be torn apart by the issue. He tried to calm the debate and postpone the issue until the nation was established and ready.
William Loughton Smith: Led the debate over slave trade on the side of the deep south. He believed that slavery was a divisive issue and the constitution states that the government can't interfere with slavery.
James Jackson: Also was against the petitions. He believed that slavery is too integral to be abolished. And he said that if the slaves were to be freed, the slaves could not assimilate which would create more problems.
James Madison: Agreed that slavery was an evil, but thought that the new nation would be torn apart by the issue. He tried to calm the debate and postpone the issue until the nation was established and ready.
William Loughton Smith: Led the debate over slave trade on the side of the deep south. He believed that slavery was a divisive issue and the constitution states that the government can't interfere with slavery.
James Jackson: Also was against the petitions. He believed that slavery is too integral to be abolished. And he said that if the slaves were to be freed, the slaves could not assimilate which would create more problems.
Vocabulary:
Abolish- To get rid of the existence of something. Petitions to abolish slavery.
Emancipation- To be freed or in a state of freedom.
Virtue- Trait that is deemed to be morally good
Taboo- something that is considered too bad or horrid and should not be spoken about
moratorium- period of delay for legal obligations or paying off debt.
Abolish- To get rid of the existence of something. Petitions to abolish slavery.
Emancipation- To be freed or in a state of freedom.
Virtue- Trait that is deemed to be morally good
Taboo- something that is considered too bad or horrid and should not be spoken about
moratorium- period of delay for legal obligations or paying off debt.
Timeline:
1. Quaker delegations presented petitions to the government for the abolishment of slavery
2. Benjamin Franklin has signed the petitions hoping for slavery to be resolved before it is too late.
3. The south was very opposed to this and spoke out immediately
4. It was brought up and argued that the constitution prohibits government interference with slavery until a certain date.
5. William Smith and James Jackson led the debate for the deep south.
6. Claim was made that the Bible and Constitution endorsed slavery; was contested and argued against by northern representatives.
7. Madison says that although congress couldn't interfere with slave trade, they could still talk about the issue.
8. vote to refer the petitions to a committee was passed in favor of the petitions.
9. The debates continued over whether slavery went with the revolutionary principles, and the problem of how to deal with the slaves if they were to be freed.
10. Finally the debates ended. The issue of slavery was to be postponed and ignored until 1808. This made sure that the slavery issue would not completely tear apart and divide the new nation.
1. Quaker delegations presented petitions to the government for the abolishment of slavery
2. Benjamin Franklin has signed the petitions hoping for slavery to be resolved before it is too late.
3. The south was very opposed to this and spoke out immediately
4. It was brought up and argued that the constitution prohibits government interference with slavery until a certain date.
5. William Smith and James Jackson led the debate for the deep south.
6. Claim was made that the Bible and Constitution endorsed slavery; was contested and argued against by northern representatives.
7. Madison says that although congress couldn't interfere with slave trade, they could still talk about the issue.
8. vote to refer the petitions to a committee was passed in favor of the petitions.
9. The debates continued over whether slavery went with the revolutionary principles, and the problem of how to deal with the slaves if they were to be freed.
10. Finally the debates ended. The issue of slavery was to be postponed and ignored until 1808. This made sure that the slavery issue would not completely tear apart and divide the new nation.