Critique the following constitutional provision protecting the property of slave owners. What would be an advantage of this policy?
“Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.”
(1 point)
Responses
States retain the power to decide what taxes will be paid to the federal government, thus increasing state autonomy.
States retain the power to decide what taxes will be paid to the federal government, thus increasing state autonomy.
The national government assesses taxation on an equal basis, regardless of state population size.
The national government assesses taxation on an equal basis, regardless of state population size.
Taxes are divided on an equal basis regardless of race, ensuring taxation is fair.
Taxes are divided on an equal basis regardless of race, ensuring taxation is fair.
Identifying enslaved people as property ensures that Southern slave states remain part of the Union.
3 answers
The constitutional provision protecting the property of slave owners is highly problematic and morally wrong. It perpetuates the institution of slavery, treating enslaved people as mere property and denying them their basic human rights. It is a violation of the principles of equality and freedom that should be upheld in a just society.
Advantage:
One potential advantage of this policy, from the perspective of slave owners and Southern states at the time, is that it helps to maintain the unity of the Union. By acknowledging and protecting the property rights of slave owners, the provision may have helped to prevent Southern states from seceding or breaking away from the United States. This could be seen as advantageous for maintaining the stability and territorial integrity of the country. However, it is important to note that this advantage was based on the preservation of an unjust and oppressive system of slavery.