Question

the founding of the united states: tutorial
roger sherman was the only founding father to sign all four of the foundational documents (the declaration of independence, the us constitution, the articles of confederation, and the articles of association—which changed the new countrys trade relationship with england). he never owned slaves and consistently argued against slavery, even during the convention. he was instrumental in ending slavery in connecticut.
although thomas paine didnt sign any of the foundational documents, he did, as you know, write \common sense,\ which was key in pushing the publics interest toward declaring independence. he also wrote articles against slavery, and after the war, he went to england and wrote in support of british abolition efforts. his first published essay in america was \african slavery in america\ (1775). in this essay, he wrote, \our traders in men (an unnatural commodity!) must know the wickedness of that slave - trade, if they attend to reasoning, or the dictates of their own hearts; and such as shun and stifle all these, willfully sacrifice conscience, and the character of integrity to that golden idol.\
in a 2016 piece about john adams and his son, john quincy adams (the only two of the first twelve presidents of the united states who did not own slaves), journalist louisa thomas wrote, \there was then, as there is now, an idealized vision of a grand new experiment in freedom. but, in their lives, there were messy, sometimes intolerable contradictions. the past is like the present, in one important way: it isnt always what we want it to be.\
part d
reflect on the texts and the details that you read about the lives of some of the founders.
what observations do you make about their choices?
how do you think free or enslaved african americans may have felt as their humanity was debated?
write three to five sentences summarizing your response to the question, \what conclusions can you draw about the men who wrote the constitution?\

Explanation:

1. Regarding the Founders' choices: Some, like Roger Sherman, were consistent in their anti - slavery stance, while others had contradictions in their beliefs and actions related to freedom and equality.
2. For free or enslaved African Americans during the debates on their humanity, they likely felt dehumanized, frustrated, and hopeful for change simultaneously.
3. Conclusions about the men who wrote the Constitution: They were a diverse group with varying views on slavery and equality. While the Constitution was a foundational document for a new nation, it reflected the compromises made among the Founders, some of which were related to the institution of slavery.

Answer:

1. The Founders' choices showed a mix of moral consistency and contradiction regarding slavery and freedom.
2. Free and enslaved African Americans likely felt a range of emotions from dehumanization to hope during debates on their humanity.
3. The men who wrote the Constitution were diverse in views and made compromises, some related to slavery.