The Founders and Slavery: Little Ventured, Little Gained
35 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2009
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
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