What arguments were made for the Three-Fifths Compromise? (3 sentences)
1. One argument made for the Three-Fifths Compromise was that it provided a fair representation of the Southern states' population in determining the number of seats they would have in the House of Representatives. The Southern states, which had a large enslaved population, wanted their entire population to be counted to increase their representation and political power. The compromise allowed for three-fifths of the enslaved population to be counted, satisfying their demand to some extent.
2. Another argument put forth was that counting three-fifths of the enslaved population would prevent an imbalance of power between the Southern and Northern states. If the entire enslaved population was counted, the Southern states would have significantly more representation in Congress, which could lead to policies that favored slaveholding interests. The compromise aimed to balance the representation and prevent the domination of one region over the other.
3. Proponents of the compromise also argued that by counting enslaved persons, it acknowledged their existence and prevented the Southern states from denying their humanity and personhood. From their perspective, it was a way to ensure that the rights and interests of enslaved individuals were recognized, although it fell far short of granting them full rights as citizens.