Frederick Douglas argued that slavery kept the American people from living up to the principles of the Constitution. What do you think he meant by that?
-pls help me understand this, i dont understand this, help me? or give me hints? @ms.sue help :3
Let's look at the Preamble to the Constitution:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Slaves didn't get justice, didn't participate in the general welfare, and certainly were deprived of the blessings of liberty. According to the Constitution, slaves were not people.
@Ms.Sue thank you! i got 100% ahahaha
Certainly! Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist and advocate for equal rights, argued that slavery prevented the American people from fully embracing and realizing the principles laid out in the Constitution. To understand this, let's break it down into three main points:
1. Principles of the Constitution: The Constitution of the United States is a foundational document that outlines the ideals and values on which the country was built. It emphasizes principles such as freedom, equality, and the protection of individual rights. These principles were seen as the guiding principles for how society should be organized.
2. Slavery as a contradiction: Slavery, on the other hand, was a system where people were considered property and denied basic freedoms. Slaves were subjected to forced labor, inhumane treatment, and were denied basic human rights such as liberty and equality. This contradicted the principles laid out in the Constitution, which aimed to ensure the rights and freedoms of all individuals.
3. Hindered realization: Douglass believed that the existence of slavery hindered the American people from fully living up to the principles of the Constitution. By keeping a significant portion of the population enslaved, the nation could not truly live out the ideals of freedom and equality for all. Slavery was an obstacle to the realization of these principles, as it allowed for the ongoing subjugation and dehumanization of individuals based on their race.
Essentially, Douglass argued that as long as slavery persisted in the United States, there would be a fundamental contradiction between the principles outlined in the Constitution and the reality facing enslaved individuals. By highlighting this contradiction, he urged people to confront the unjust system of slavery and work towards equality and freedom for all.