Three-Fifths Compromise Adopted
April 18th, 1783
April 18th, 1783

How Long Ago?
241 years, 10 months, 25 days ago
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Category
Politics & Government
People
- James Madison
- Roger Sherman
- Elbridge Gerry
- Charles Pinckney
Links & References
Tags
Three-Fifths Compromise Adopted
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a pivotal agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation purposes. This resolution reflected the contentious debate between Northern and Southern states regarding representation and the institution of slavery. It played a critical role in shaping the structure of the new government and the political landscape of the United States, impacting how power was distributed among the states based on population.
Compromise defined representation in Congress.
Enslaved individuals counted as three-fifths.
Debate between Northern and Southern states.
Critical for Constitution's ratification process.
What Happened?
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.
Why Does it Matter?
The Three-Fifths Compromise is significant as it illustrates the foundational conflicts surrounding slavery in the United States, impacting future political dynamics and representation. It laid the groundwork for a political system that struggled with the contradiction of human rights versus economic interests and foreshadowed the tensions that would ultimately lead to the Civil War. The decision to count enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation ensured that issues related to slavery remained at the forefront of American politics for decades.
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