Three-Fifths Compromise

Definition

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a decision made at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that determined how slaves would be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation. It established that each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Three-Fifths Compromise was a key part of the negotiations at the Constitutional Convention, as it determined how the population, including slaves, would be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation.
2. The compromise was a political bargain between the northern and southern states, with the southern states wanting slaves to be counted fully for representation, and the northern states wanting them to be counted not at all.
3. The Three-Fifths Compromise increased the political power of the southern states by inflating their population numbers and, consequently, their representation in Congress.
4. The compromise was a controversial and morally problematic decision that reflected the tensions and compromises necessary to ratify the Constitution and establish the new federal government.
5. The Three-Fifths Compromise remained in effect until the abolition of slavery with the 13th Amendment following the Civil War.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and key provisions of the Three-Fifths Compromise at the Constitutional Convention.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise was a political bargain reached at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that determined how slaves would be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation. It established that each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person, increasing the political power of the southern states by inflating their population numbers and representation in Congress. This compromise was necessary to secure the ratification of the Constitution, but it also reflected the tensions and moral compromises made to establish the new federal government.
• Analyze the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise on the balance of power between the northern and southern states.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise had a significant impact on the balance of power between the northern and southern states. By counting slaves as three-fifths of a person, the southern states were able to increase their population numbers and, consequently, their representation in Congress. This gave the southern states more political influence and leverage in the new federal government, as they could use their increased representation to advance their interests, particularly in relation to the preservation of the institution of slavery. The compromise was a controversial and morally problematic decision that reflected the tensions and compromises necessary to ratify the Constitution, but it also had long-lasting consequences on the power dynamics between the regions.
• Evaluate the moral and ethical implications of the Three-Fifths Compromise and its legacy in the context of the broader struggle for human rights and equality.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise was a deeply problematic and morally questionable decision made at the Constitutional Convention. By counting slaves as three-fifths of a person, the compromise effectively dehumanized enslaved individuals and treated them as less than fully human. This decision reflected the broader societal acceptance of slavery and the willingness of the Framers to compromise on fundamental issues of human rights and equality in order to establish the new federal government. The legacy of the Three-Fifths Compromise continued to shape the political landscape and power dynamics in the United States, contributing to the perpetuation of slavery and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality. Ultimately, the compromise highlighted the tensions between the ideals of liberty and equality enshrined in the Constitution and the realities of the institution of slavery that was deeply embedded in the fabric of American society at the time.

Related terms

Representation:

The process by which citizens are granted a voice in the government through elected officials who represent their interests.

Taxation: The act of imposing financial charges or levies on income, property, sales, and other forms of economic activity by the government.

Slavery:

The status or condition of a person over whom all or any of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.