Slavery and the Constitution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Slavery and the Constitution - Essay Example Thomas Jefferson, a former president of the United States did not support slavery. He considered slavery as a breach of the laws of the nature (Beamount 4). Jefferson had taken actions that he thought would end servitude and slavery. One of his moves was the drafting of the law in Virginia in the 1700s. These laws forbid the transportation of African slaves. He started plan for slower redemption of slaves by indicated that after certain period they would go free. However, regardless of his labors Jefferson found himself retaining slaves. He was not successful and died before implementing his decisions. President Lincoln was another person who advocated for the elimination of slavery. During the civil war, Lincoln issued a liberation proclamation. This order advocated for the release of many slaves that were subjected to the acts of slavery and servitude. Other people such as the spiritual leaders were in opposition to slavery (Finkelman 18). They found that the act were against their sacred teachings. They thus made moves that helped to end slavery. Most people in the south, especially owners of plantations wanted the prolongation of slavery because they benefited from the labor that the slaves offered. Even the white southerners who did not own plantations felt that the abolition of slavery would have led to decline of their economy. The southerners had commenced to incorporate slavery and assumed that they had the right to own slaves. Most southerners thought that slavery plus servitude should proceed. The criticisms of slavery by people who were against it led to a need of constitution amendment. Various leaders including President Lincoln had pressed for the changes of the constitution. Religious leaders also contributed by preaching the negatives of slavery. They advocated for immediate changes of the constitution to end the sufferings that slaves went through