1. Slave Trade Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 1)
- Congress was not allowed to prohibit the international slave trade before the year 1808.
2. Fugitive Slave Clause (Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3)
- This provision required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they had fled to a state where slavery was illegal.
3. Three-Fifths Clause (Article I, Section 2, Clause 3)
- This clause counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a free person for the purpose of determining a state's population and its representation in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College.
4. Importation of Slaves after 1808 (Article I, Section 9, Clause 1)
- Starting from January 1, 1808, Congress gained the power to prohibit the international slave trade.
5. Prohibition of Exportation or Transportation of Slaves (Article I, Section 9, Clause 1)
- Congress was prohibited from passing laws that would prohibit the exportation of slaves from one state to another.
6. Prohibition of Writ of Habeas Corpus Suspension (Article I, Section 9, Clause 2)
- The Constitution prohibited the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, a legal protection that prevents unlawful imprisonment, except in cases of rebellion or invasion.
7. Presidential Veto Power (Article I, Section 7, Clause 2)
- The president had the power to veto any legislation passed by Congress, including legislation related to slave trade.
These constitutional provisions related to slave trade were often controversial and reflected the deeply entrenched institution of slavery in the United States. They would later contribute to tensions and conflicts between the North and the South, leading to significant political, social, and economic developments that ultimately shaped the course of U.S. history.