Understanding the Original Constitution and Slavery

The video discusses the original Constitution's stance on slavery, highlighting the Founders' divided views and the resulting federalism that granted states significant power. It explains the 'freedom national, slavery local' concept, where the Constitution allowed states to decide on slavery. The Reconstruction Amendments, particularly the 13th, 14th, and 15th, fundamentally changed this structure by abolishing slavery and enhancing federal power to protect citizens' rights.

Why do some people question the legitimacy of the original Constitution?

• Because it did not include a Bill of Rights.

• Because it was not ratified by all states.

• Because the Founders supported slavery.

• Because it was written too long ago.

What was the result of the compromise between states regarding slavery?

• A civil war.

• A new constitution.

• Immediate abolition of slavery.

• A system of federalism.

What does 'freedom national, slavery local' mean?

• Slavery was abolished nationally but allowed locally.

• Slavery was allowed everywhere.

• Slavery was only allowed in federal territories.

• The federal government had no stance on slavery, leaving it to the states.

How did the original Constitution handle the issue of slavery at the national level?

• It said very little about slavery.

• It explicitly supported slavery.

• It explicitly banned slavery.

• It left the decision to the Supreme Court.

What power did states have under the original Constitution regarding slavery?

• They could neither authorize nor abolish slavery.

• They could only abolish slavery.

• They could only authorize slavery.

• They could authorize or abolish slavery.

What was fundamentally altered by the Reconstruction Amendments?

• The power of the federal government.

• The structure of the Supreme Court.

• The process of electing the President.

• The system of checks and balances.

Which amendment made slavery unconstitutional at the local level?

• The 10th Amendment.

• The 13th Amendment.

• The 15th Amendment.

• The 14th Amendment.

What did the 14th Amendment aim to protect?

• The rights of citizens from state governments.

• The rights of states from the federal government.

• The rights of non-citizens.

• The rights of the federal government from states.

What was the main goal of the Reconstruction Amendments?

• To strengthen state powers.

• To create new states.

• To protect citizens' rights from state violations.

• To abolish the federal government.

How did the Republicans view the necessity of the 13th Amendment?

• Essential to change the Constitution.

• A temporary measure.

• A way to increase state power.

• Unnecessary.