The Paradox of American Revolution and the Persistence of Slavery

While the United States prides itself on its revolutionary principles and the eventual abolition of slavery, a critical analysis reveals a paradoxical history. The American Revolution and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution did not eradicate slavery, which raises several questions about the actual intentions and consequences of these pivotal events. This article explores the complexities and contradictions surrounding the American Revolution and the persistence of slavery.

Colonial Participation and Motivations

It is often assumed that the participants in the American Revolution were united in their fight for freedom and democracy. However, a significant portion of the patriots fighting against the British monarchy had a very different motivation: the preservation of slavery. According to historical records, while all the colonies from Delaware to Georgia engaged in the revolution out of concern for the progressive abolition of human chattel slavery based on a false interpretation of Sommersett v. Steuart, the actual issue of taxation was much less pressing once the Stamp Tax and Townshend Acts were repealed.

The primary issues that sparked the revolution were the ongoing quartering of British military in Boston and New York, and the threat of abolishing slavery. While some colonies were more concerned with taxation, the fear of losing their slave-dependent economies was a common motive. The colonies were evenly divided on which issues were the most immediate cause of distress, but it is clear that the preservation of slavery was never a central goal of the revolution.

Impact of the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia brought together delegates who brought their personal slaves with them, highlighting the deep reliance of colonial society on human bondage. Even the wealthy South, which was entirely dependent on free labor for its existence, would not have supported the Constitution without the guarantee of continued slavery.

The Constitution’s framers took note of this reliance and implemented several provisions to ensure the dominance of the South. For instance, the three-fifths compromise required that a certain percentage of slaves be counted for representation in Congress, effectively increasing the political power of slave-holding states. Additionally, there was an agreement that the importation of slaves would be outlawed, though this provision was short-lived. Soon before the Civil War, the South began importing slaves illegally once again.

Axial Shift in Constitutional Principles

The Constitution did not initially abolish slavery for a simple reason: the majority of white men who drafted it did not want to eliminate it. However, over time, the Constitution gradually shifted to abolish slavery, primarily as a result of a coalition of white men who sought to remove the institution and, more importantly, to include non-white men in future amendments.

The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, officially abolished slavery. This was largely due to the efforts of abolitionists and the economic strain of the Civil War. The amendment not only abolished slavery but also granted citizenship and voting rights to formerly enslaved people, a significant step forward in human rights.

Conclusion

The American Revolution and the constitutional framework that followed present a complex and paradoxical narrative. While revolutionary principles were ostensibly about freedom and liberty, the persistence of slavery highlights the inconvenient truth that many who fought for these principles benefited from and perpetuated the institution of slavery. The history of the American Revolution and its aftermath teaches us about the inseparability of moral ideals and political pragmatism in the shaping of a nation.