Critique the following constitutional provision protecting the property of slave owners. What would be an advantage of this policy? “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.” (1 point) Responses The national government assesses taxation on an equal basis, regardless of state population size. The national government assesses taxation on an equal basis, regardless of state population size. Identifying enslaved people as property ensures that Southern slave states remain part of the Union. Identifying enslaved people as property ensures that Southern slave states remain part of the Union. States retain the power to decide what taxes will be paid to the federal government, thus increasing state autonomy. States retain the power to decide what taxes will be paid to the federal government, thus increasing state autonomy. Taxes are divided on an equal basis regardless of race, ensuring taxation is fair. Taxes are divided on an equal basis regardless of race, ensuring taxation is fair.
The critique of this constitutional provision is that it recognizes enslaved people as property rather than as human beings with rights. This provision perpetuates the institution of slavery and treats enslaved individuals as objects instead of individuals entitled to their freedom. This violates the principles of equality and justice.
One possible advantage of this policy, however, is that it appeases the Southern slave states and helps to maintain unity within the Union. By recognizing enslaved individuals as property, the provision acknowledges the importance of slavery to the economic and political stability of Southern states. This helps to prevent secession or disunity within the country, which could have potentially led to a civil war at that time.