Questions for The Silence
Pages 81-119
Pages 81-84
What happened on February 11, 1790?
Why was there so much controversy surrounding this event?
What does the Constitution say concerning this issue? Why was the Quaker petition a major issue?
What did James Jackson from Georgia (and others) feel was the hidden agenda with the Quaker petition?
What was Madison’s “solution” to this problem?
What happened the next day (February 12, 1790) that reaffirmed Jackson’s fears?
What arguments were made in this new petition (Pennsylvania Abolition Society) that were not made originally
by the Quaker petition?
To complicate matters, whose signature was included on the new petition? Why was this signature such a big
issue?
Why was the reading of these petitions aloud in Congress different than the Constitutional Convention?
Pages 84-88
How did Jackson and some Southerners justify slavery religiously, economically, and Constitutionally?
How did the Northerners counter the Southern argument?
What sort of compensation did Elbridge Gerry estimate for the Southerners? Based on the southern view of
slaves and Gerry’s compensation statement, how did many view slaves during this time?
Why was the real threat of the petitions not the addressing of them, but the failure to act on them?
How did Madison attempt to smooth this rocky situation?
Pages 88-93
What knowledge do we have living in the present that these men did not have when this debate emerged in
Congress? How does this understanding relate to Habit #3 – perceive past events and issues as they were experienced by
people at the time, to develop historical empathy as opposed to present mindedness?
How was “original intent” the core of the disagreement? What is meant by “original intent?”
How can the words of the Declaration of Independence and the basic principles of the Revolution be seen as
an argument for the abolition of slavery?
Even though it took many years for the emancipation of slaves, give evidence that many in the late 1700’s knew
that slavery would eventually end.
Why, despite all the Revolutionary rhetoric and spirit, was slavery a much more complicated issue? How can a
pro-slavery argument come from the spirit of the Revolution? Explain.
Madison claims that the biggest source of contention at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was not
between large and small states, but between the north and south. Briefly summarize each regions arguments in
Philadelphia in 1787.
How does the Constitution address the issue? Which side “won” in Philadelphia? Why is the Constitution
written this way concerning slavery?
Pages 93-96
What 2 bargains on slavery illustrate the ability to bargain and allow each side to claim victory?
(Summarize each bargain and explain how both the north and south could claim victory.)
How were the state debates over ratification of the Constitution further examples of the controversy?
Explain what Ellis means when he says Virginia “talked northern but thought southern.”
Pages 96-100
When the committee was to submit its report to Congress, Jackson (and later William Loughton Smith)
prepared his response, which would serve as a basis for the South over the next 70 years. Summarize his
argument in the areas of:
 African traditions
 the Quakers
 Jefferson’s book
 the breaking of the Sectional Compromise
 Biracial America
 tradition
 the Bible
Pages 101-104
Why can these arguments be seen as so dramatic – especially the biracial aspect?
What does Ellis mean when he says, “What was truly new in the pro-slavery argument was not really the ideas
or attitudes expressed, but the expression itself?”
Why was a census supposed to be taken? Why did it further aggravate this debate? BE SPECIFIC
(Census report is on page 102)
Page 104-108
What does Ellis mean when he says, “…the history of what might have been is usually not history at all?”
Why would gradual emancipation be such a problem?
Why would compensation be a major problem as well?
Why, on page 107, does Ellis claim historians never address the relocation of freed slaves as an option? What 2
facts must be considered when dealing with the relocation issue?
What other issues made relocation an infeasible option?
Apply any 3 Habits of Mind to Ellis’ discussion on pages 104-108.
Page 108-115
Who was the only anti-slavery advocate to speak in this debate?
Given Franklin’s place in American History – consider his accomplishments as outlined by Ellis on pages 109110 – why was it so important that he address the anti-slavery argument?
How did Franklin employ parody to address Jackson’s pro-slavery arguments?
Give examples of his counter to Jackson.
What was unique about the publicity (newspaper coverage) that Franklin’s speech received?
What happened 3 weeks after this speech?
What happened to the antislavery people after Franklin’s speech?
How did the following feel about this debate in Congress?
John Adams?
Alexander Hamilton
George Washington?
Thomas Jefferson?
James Madison?
How can Madison’s position on slavery be seen as “two sided” or “inconsistent?”
Page 115-119
What happened to the Quaker petitions when it came time to vote?
What role did Madison play in this action? What Habit(s) of Mind relate(s) to Madison’s role?
How did Madison intend on clarifying the uncertainties concerning the power of Congress in slavery?
Which branch of government is supposed to interpret the Constitution? Why didn’t they in 1790?
What question did the committee report address? How was it acceptable to all sides (south, north and
Quakers)? Why were the resolutions specifically vague?
What was the key provision? What did it provide?
What did the final, amended report provide? How did it alter the above resolution?
According to the new, final report, what power did Congress have to deal with the gradual emancipation of
slaves? Did it work? What happened the next time a petition from the Quakers was introduced?
If not from Congress, from where did the push to end slavery come after 1790?
In the memorial service to Franklin on April 22, Madison proposes that all members wear a “badge of
mourning” for one month. How can that badge be seen as a symbol of Franklin and of slavery?
After reading this chapter:
Identify a Vital Theme for this Chapter.
Identify 2 or more Habits of Mind Ellis used in writing this chapter – briefly explain where he used each Habit.