key term - Three-Fifths Compromise

Definition

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a pivotal agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that determined how enslaved persons would be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation in the new United States government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Three-Fifths Compromise was a controversial agreement that counted enslaved persons as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation and taxation.
2. This compromise gave the Southern states, which had large enslaved populations, a disproportionate amount of political power in the new government.
3. The compromise was a key factor in the ratification of the Constitution, as it helped secure the support of the Southern states.
4. Critics argued that the compromise perpetuated the institution of slavery and undermined the principles of equality and democracy.
5. The Three-Fifths Compromise remained in effect until the abolition of slavery following the American Civil War and the ratification of the 13th Amendment.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise during the development of the U.S. Constitution.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise was a crucial agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that determined how enslaved persons would be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation in the new government. This compromise gave the Southern states, which had large enslaved populations, a disproportionate amount of political power, as enslaved persons were counted as three-fifths of a free person. While the compromise helped secure the ratification of the Constitution, it also perpetuated the institution of slavery and undermined the principles of equality and democracy.
• Analyze the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise on the balance of power between the Northern and Southern states during the ratification of the Constitution.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise had a significant impact on the balance of power between the Northern and Southern states during the ratification of the Constitution. By counting enslaved persons as three-fifths of a free person, the compromise gave the Southern states a disproportionate number of seats in the House of Representatives and a greater say in the Electoral College. This allowed the Southern states, which had large enslaved populations, to exert more influence over the new government and its policies. The compromise was a crucial factor in securing the support of the Southern states for the Constitution, but it also entrenched the institution of slavery and gave the South an unfair advantage in the political process.
• Evaluate the moral and ethical implications of the Three-Fifths Compromise, considering its impact on the principles of equality and democracy in the United States.
  • The Three-Fifths Compromise was a deeply problematic and morally questionable agreement that undermined the principles of equality and democracy in the United States. By counting enslaved persons as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation and taxation, the compromise perpetuated the institution of slavery and gave the Southern states, which relied on the labor of enslaved individuals, a disproportionate amount of political power. This arrangement was a clear violation of the ideals of equality and self-governance, as it denied the fundamental humanity and rights of enslaved persons. The compromise also reinforced the notion that some individuals were inherently worth less than others, a dangerous precedent that would have lasting consequences for the country. Ultimately, the Three-Fifths Compromise represented a significant moral and ethical failure in the founding of the United States, one that would take decades and a bloody civil war to begin to address.

Related terms

Representation:

The right of a population to have their interests and views represented in the government through elected officials.

Taxation: The system of levying compulsory monetary payments on income, property, sales, and other forms of economic activity to fund government operations and public services.

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