Analyze the extent to which the constitution originally framed as an instrument of national unity.

The views on slavery and separation [secession] created by the constitution tore the union apart

Explanation:

The constitution created a union by the 1850s, which was torn apart by issues around popular sovereignty, slavery, and separation.

The state's ability to decide to allow or disallow slavery, known as the popular sovereignty, was viewed as a right by the states in the south while the states in the north saw that as a way to violate the unity of the nation and that of the supremacy of the constitution. The south was of the opinion that the constitution empowered them to own slaves while the north rightly commented that there was no place in the constitution where slavery was mentioned by name.

Fugitive Slave Law compelled the North to transfer all slaves that ran away from the south back to the south and the north never did that. The people from the south were rightly angered by the actions of the North because they believed what the north was asked to do in regards to the return of the salves was constitutional. The northerners saw the law to be immoral and one that can give rise to disunity.

Also, on the issue of separation, the people from the south believed that on violation of their rights, they can move away from the union while the northerners believed that the constitution created an inseparable union.

The views on slavery and separation [secession] created by the constitution tore the union apart