Question: What does the Constitution say about slavery?
Answer: The words "slave" or "slavery" do not exist in the Constitution. However, slavery is referred to in a couple of places. For one thing, there was the 3/5 Compromise where every 5 slaves counted as 3 people in terms of apportionment for the House of Representatives. Further, the government was given the power to restrict the slave trade. Finally, there was a section where it says that if people held to service or labor (slavery) in one state escape them must not be freed by the laws of another state.
Learn more about the US Constitution:
- Who is the known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?
- What is the Great Compromise?
- What were the Federalist Papers?
- Who were the chief anti-federalists?
- What was the order for ratification of the Constitution?
- What rights and liberties are guaranteed within the body of the Constitution?
- What is the necessary and proper clause?
- What are the Bill of Rights?
- What methods are allowed for amending the Constitution?
- How many amendments have been added to the Constitution?

