What was the prevailing view of slavery among delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

The prevailing view of slavery among delegates at the Constitutional Convention was that it was essential to the economy in certain states. Many delegates from Southern states perceived slavery as a critical institution for their agricultural economy, which relied heavily on slave labor for the cultivation of cash crops like tobacco and cotton. This economic dependence influenced their political positions and arguments during the convention, as they sought to protect their interests and maintain the institution of slavery in the new framework of government.

The delegates understood that their ability to sustain economic growth and stability was closely tied to the continuation of slavery, leading them to accommodate the institution within the Constitution despite growing moral and political pressures. This viewpoint was significant enough to shape key compromises in the Constitutional framework, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, which determined how enslaved individuals would be counted for legislative representation and taxation purposes.