Unit 6 : The Constitution And African Enslavement Power Profit and Resistance

The founding of the United States is a story of contradictions, where ideals of democracy and freedom coexisted with the institution of slavery as a backdrop. This period highlights tension between concepts of freedom and a society reliant on an oppressive system. African Americans were not passive victims within this system but active agents of resistance through continuously seeking out different ways to undermine structures of control. Through intellectual critiques and personal narratives, many African Americans exposed the hypocrisy of a nation that professed liberty while denying it to millions of people. The period also explores the broader impact of the institution on the nation’s social, economic, and political development. This reliance on wealth generated from racialized exploitation underlined the moral contradictions at the heart of the early republic. By examining the narratives and critiques of African Americans, the complex reality of this era becomes more clear. The voices of free and enslaved African Americans provide an essential counterpoint to dominant narratives. These stories not only highlight the struggles of the past but also provide a framework for ongoing movements towards justice and equality. Understanding this period reveals how slavery was intertwined with the nation’s founding and its principles. It challenges us to confront the contradictions within the ideals of liberty and equality. This exploration redefines the narrative of the founding of the United States by situating African American experiences at the center of the nation’s founding.

This unit examines the complex relationship between the founding of the United States, the Constitution, and the institution of slavery. Students will analyze the Constitution’s role in incorporating clauses within the nation’s foundational documents, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Fugitive Slave Clause. These provisions made institutionalized economic and social control of enslaved people central to the development of the United States. At the same time, the unit emphasizes the resistance of African Americans who challenged these structures. By studying primary sources such as Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Thomas Jefferson, students will gain insight into how African Americans critiqued the contradictions between the ideals of the Enlightenment and the rationalizations maintaining the institution of slavery. Similarly, students will engage with The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, a firsthand account that reveals the horror of enslavement while also celebrating the humanity of those who endured it. These texts provide critical perspectives on the experiences of African Americans. The unit also explores the broader themes of fairness and resilience, encouraging students to connect these historical struggles to contemporary issues of justice. Interactive activities include analyzing constitutional excerpts and mapping economic systems of enslavement. Students will also discuss the ways in which African Americans influenced national conversations of liberty and equality, even when being excluded from participating in national conversation. The unit challenges students to critically evaluate the moral contradictions in America’s founding and consider the legacy of these issues in today’s society.