The Three-Fifths Compromise

Summary

In May 1787, delegates from 12 of the 13 states convened in Philadelphia to draft the framework for the U.S. government, grappling with the contentious issue of representation. Southern states, with a large enslaved population, sought to count slaves for representation but not for taxation. In contrast, northern states, having fewer slave states, opposed this dual approach. The resolution came through the Three-Fifths Compromise, where each slave counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation. This compromise persisted until slavery was abolished nearly 80 years later, highlighting the profound complexities of early American governance.

Takeaways

• 📅 In May 1787, delegates from 12 of the 13 states convened in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention.
• 🏛️ The primary goal was to establish a framework for the United States government.
• ⚖️ A major challenge faced by the delegates was determining representation in the new government.
• 🔗 Slavery was a contentious issue, especially in the southern states where enslaved populations were significant.
• 📈 Southern states sought to count enslaved individuals for representation in the House of Representatives.
• 💰 Conversely, southern states did not want enslaved individuals counted for tax purposes.
• 🛑 Northern states opposed counting enslaved people for representation without considering them for taxation.
• 🤝 The solution to the disagreement was the Three-Fifths Compromise.
• 📊 Under this compromise, each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation.
• 📝 The Three-Fifths Compromise remained until slavery was abolished nearly 80 years later.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of the Constitutional Convention in May 1787?

The primary purpose was to outline the government of the United States.

Which states participated in the Constitutional Convention?

Delegates from 12 of the 13 states attended the convention.

What major issue did the delegates face regarding representation?

The major issue was how to account for the enslaved population in terms of representation in the House of Representatives.

Why did southern states want their enslaved population counted for representation?

Southern states wanted their enslaved population counted to increase their representation in Congress.

What concern did southern states have regarding taxation?

Southern states were concerned that counting enslaved individuals for representation would increase their taxes.

How did northern states view the issue of counting enslaved individuals?

Northern states opposed counting enslaved individuals for representation because it would unfairly benefit the southern states and felt that if slaves were counted for representation, they should also be counted for taxation.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

The Three-Fifths Compromise stipulated that each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes.

How long did the Three-Fifths Compromise remain in effect?

The Three-Fifths Compromise remained in place until slavery was outlawed nearly 80 years later.

What was the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise on political representation?

The compromise allowed southern states to maintain a significant level of political power in Congress relative to their free population.

What implications did the Three-Fifths Compromise have for enslaved individuals?

Although the compromise counted enslaved individuals for representation, they could not vote or enjoy any rights of citizenship as defined in the Constitution.