The Three-Fifths Compromise emerged from the debates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, primarily addressing how enslaved Africans would be counted in terms of population for the apportionment of taxes and legislative representation. Southern states, which had large enslaved populations, sought to count these individuals fully to maximize their influence in Congress, while Northern states opposed this due to the inherent inequity of counting those who were not citizens. This disagreement underscored the deep divisions over slavery and representation in the early United States. Ultimately, the compromise allowed states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population, creating a formula that aimed to balance these competing interests. By agreeing to this provision, the delegates hoped to maintain unity among the states and facilitate the creation of a functioning government. The compromise was viewed as a necessary evil to secure ratification of the Constitution and was embraced by key figures, including delegates like James Madison and Roger Sherman. It reflected the complex negotiations that characterized the founding of the nation, where moral principles often collided with pragmatic political realities.