Three-Fifths Compromise

Definition

The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that determined how slaves would be counted when apportioning representation and taxation. This compromise stated that three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for both legislative representation and direct taxes, thereby balancing the interests of slaveholding states with those opposed to slavery. It played a significant role in shaping the structure of representation in the new government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The compromise was necessary because Northern states wanted to limit representation for Southern states that relied heavily on slave labor, while Southern states wanted to maximize their political power by counting slaves as part of their population.
2. The decision to count three-fifths of enslaved individuals effectively granted Southern states more representation in Congress than they would have had if only free persons were counted.
3. The Three-Fifths Compromise was one of several compromises made during the Constitutional Convention, including the Great Compromise, which addressed representation in Congress.
4. This compromise had lasting implications for American politics, as it entrenched the political power of slaveholding states and contributed to the tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
5. It was eventually rendered obsolete by the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, which guaranteed equal protection under the law and counted all persons equally for representation.

Review Questions

• How did the Three-Fifths Compromise impact the balance of power between Northern and Southern states during the formation of the U.S. government?
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise significantly impacted the balance of power between Northern and Southern states by allowing Southern states to count a portion of their enslaved population for representation in Congress. This gave Southern states increased political power relative to their free population size, which frustrated many Northern delegates who opposed slavery. The compromise was a strategic decision to ensure that all states would agree to a new Constitution, but it also highlighted the deep divisions regarding slavery that existed at that time.
• Analyze how the Three-Fifths Compromise reflects the political compromises made during the Constitutional Convention regarding contentious issues like slavery.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise reflects the broader political compromises made during the Constitutional Convention as delegates sought to create a unified nation despite deep-seated disagreements over slavery. By allowing for partial counting of enslaved individuals, it represented a concession to Southern interests while attempting to appease Northern concerns about representation and taxation. This compromise demonstrates how crucial negotiations were in crafting a new government, though it ultimately entrenched divisions that would lead to conflict in later years.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Three-Fifths Compromise on American society and politics, particularly leading up to and following the Civil War.
  • The long-term consequences of the Three-Fifths Compromise were significant for American society and politics, as it not only legitimized the institution of slavery but also gave disproportionate political power to slaveholding states. This power influenced legislation and policy decisions that perpetuated slavery and stoked tensions between North and South. As these tensions escalated, they culminated in the Civil War, making the compromise a pivotal moment in American history that shaped national discourse around freedom, equality, and civil rights in subsequent decades.

Related terms

Constitutional Convention: A gathering of delegates in 1787 to address issues in governing the United States, which resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Apportionment: The process of dividing and allocating seats in a legislative body based on population, which was significantly influenced by the Three-Fifths Compromise.

Slave Trade: The historical practice of trading enslaved Africans to work primarily in agricultural settings, which was a contentious issue during the formation of the U.S. government.