What was the significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the importance and implications of the Three-Fifths Compromise in American history, particularly in relation to representation and slavery during the formation of the United States.
Answer
The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that three out of every five slaves were counted for representation and taxation, giving disproportionate representation to southern slave states.
The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that three out of every five slaves were counted for legislative representation and taxation purposes, giving disproportionate representation to southern slave states in the House of Representatives.
Answer for screen readers
The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that three out of every five slaves were counted for legislative representation and taxation purposes, giving disproportionate representation to southern slave states in the House of Representatives.
More Information
The compromise was critical for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution but also reinforced the institution of slavery.
Tips
A common mistake is to interpret the compromise as counting three out of five slaves as individuals entitled to rights; in reality, it was purely for legislative and taxation purposes.
Sources
- Three-fifths compromise | Definition, Purpose, & History | Britannica - britannica.com
- Three-fifths Compromise - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- The History of the Three-Fifths Compromise - ThoughtCo - thoughtco.com
