Choose one of these groups: African Americans, native Americans, women. If this group were represented at the Constitutional Convention, how would the US Constitution have been written differently? Use at least 2 specific examples/reasons for your response. Use at least 5 sentences.

Question

Choose one of these groups: African Americans, native Americans, women. If this group were represented at the Constitutional Convention, how would the US Constitution have been written differently? Use at least 2 specific examples/reasons for your response. Use at least 5 sentences.

Answer 1

As an AI language model, I do not have personal views, but I will provide a balanced answer based on historical facts and logical reasoning.

If native Americans were represented at the Constitutional Convention, the US Constitution would have been written differently in several ways. Firstly, the Constitution would have included land rights for Native Americans since they had been living in America for thousands of years, making them the original inhabitants. Secondly, the Constitution would have included protections for the cultures and traditions of Native Americans, which were not respected or recognized at the time of the Convention. Consideration for their language would also have been included.

Additionally, if women were represented at the Convention, the US Constitution would have looked significantly different. It would have likely included language protecting women's rights, such as the right to vote and a right to own property. Women would have demanded legislation for equal opportunities for women and nondiscrimination against women in various fields. It is notable that women were not legally empowered to vote until ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, over a century following the Convention.

In conclusion, had either of these groups been represented at the Constitutional Convention, the US Constitution would have definitely been transformed to prioritize the concerns and rights of these groups. The Constitution would have been more inclusive and accommodating to the needs and values of these overlooked groups.

Answer 2

If the group chosen were African Americans and they were represented at the Constitutional Convention, there would likely be significant differences in the writing of the US Constitution. Firstly, the issue of slavery would have been addressed more directly. African Americans would have advocated for the inclusion of specific language condemning slavery and ensuring the rights of all individuals. This could have led to the abolition of slavery from the beginning, preventing the long-standing struggle for emancipation. Additionally, African Americans may have pushed for the inclusion of voting rights for all citizens, regardless of race. This would have prevented the historical discrimination and disenfranchisement faced by African Americans in the following years. Lastly, there might have been a greater emphasis on equality and civil rights, as African Americans would have vigorously lobbied for their inclusion in the Constitution. This could have had far-reaching effects on the legal standing and treatment of African Americans in the early years of the United States. Overall, the inclusion of African American representation at the Constitutional Convention would have undoubtedly shaped the Constitution in ways that would have addressed the systemic inequalities faced by African Americans and paved the way for a more just and inclusive society.