Which clause states the importation of slaves must stop in 20 years?

Which clause states the importation of slaves must stop in 20 years?

• A. Fugitive Slave Clause.
• B. Separation of Powers.
• C. Importation Clause.
• D. Statute.

Answer: (C)

This item tests understanding of the clause that governs the timing of ending the international slave trade. It says that Congress may not prohibit the migration or importation of enslaved people until the Year 1808, and in 1808 the importation is to be prohibited. Since ratification occurred in 1788, that sets a 20-year horizon for ending the importation. In other words, this clause explicitly ties the stop date to a specific future year, unlike other provisions that deal with returning fugitives or with the structure of government. The other options address different ideas: the Fugitive Slave Clause concerns escaped slaves being returned, Separation of Powers deals with how the branches check and balance each other, and a Statute is just a general term for a law, not a specific constitutional provision about importation. So the clause that handles the importation timeline is the one that sets the stop in 20 years.

This item tests understanding of the clause that governs the timing of ending the international slave trade. It says that Congress may not prohibit the migration or importation of enslaved people until the Year 1808, and in 1808 the importation is to be prohibited. Since ratification occurred in 1788, that sets a 20-year horizon for ending the importation. In other words, this clause explicitly ties the stop date to a specific future year, unlike other provisions that deal with returning fugitives or with the structure of government. The other options address different ideas: the Fugitive Slave Clause concerns escaped slaves being returned, Separation of Powers deals with how the branches check and balance each other, and a Statute is just a general term for a law, not a specific constitutional provision about importation. So the clause that handles the importation timeline is the one that sets the stop in 20 years.