Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution

Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution by Gordon S. Wood

This book explores the background under which the US constitution was created. The time was different from today (and what we think of back then.) Land was abundant. Concepts of "representation" were different from what we have today. Travel was difficult. The colonies were all fairly independent. The results that were created were only done after significant compromise. The discussions on slavery were especially interesting. Prior to the time, it was fairly common for people to "own" other people and have the ability to trade their contracts, whether they be short term or long term. Indentured servitude was a primary means that people used to come to America. Lifetime generational slavery was on its way out. It was even falling out of favor in places like Virginia. The writers of the constitution didn't even mention it. I wonder what would have happened if they did not use the 3/5 compromise to attract the south? Would they have simply stayed on their own?