The Founders and Slavery: Little Ventured, Little Gained

35 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2009

See all articles by Paul Finkelman

Paul Finkelman

Gratz College; Albany Law School

Date Written: 2001

Abstract

In this article, Professor Finkelman refutes the original intent argument that it was the ultimate goal of the Founders to abolish slavery by creating a strong central government. Rather, Professor Finkelman argues that the Founders worked hard to protect slavery in the constitution and did virtually nothing to rein it in with the goal of a stronger national government at any cost. Professor Finkelman discusses the various places within the constitution that both directly and indirectly protected slavery and concludes that as a result, only war and bloodshed could purge the protections from the constitution.

Keywords: slavery

Suggested Citation

Finkelman, Paul, The Founders and Slavery: Little Ventured, Little Gained (2001). Yale Journal of Law and the Humanities, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2001, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1432083

Paul Finkelman (Contact Author)

Gratz College ( email )

7605 Old York Road
Melrose Park, PA 19027
United States

Albany Law School

NY
United States

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