The three fifths compromise and the commerceand slave trade compromise were included in the constitution at the insistence of the southern states. Why did states in the south think these items were important and what price, if any, did southern states pay for their inclusion
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twennyone
The Three-Fifths Compromise and the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise were indeed included in the United States Constitution due to the insistence of the southern states. Let's break down their importance and the price paid by the southern states for their inclusion:
1. Three-Fifths Compromise:
- Importance: The southern states wanted enslaved individuals to be counted as part of their population for the purpose of determining representation in the House of Representatives, as well as for taxation. However, some northern states opposed this idea. The Three-Fifths Compromise was reached as a compromise stating that only three-fifths of the total enslaved population would be counted.
- Reasons for importance: Southern states had a significant number of enslaved individuals, and counting them as part of their population would increase their representation in Congress and, consequently, their political power.
2. Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise:
- Importance: The southern states were heavily reliant on the slave trade and feared that Congress might eventually ban it. On the other hand, some northern states were in favor of abolishing the slave trade. To address these concerns, the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise was included.
- Reasons for importance: Southern states relied on the slave trade for their agricultural economy, and ensuring its continued existence was crucial to their economic interests.
Price paid by southern states:
- Inclusion of these compromises came at a cost to the southern states. As part of the Three-Fifths Compromise, the northern states gained some leverage in the legislature due to the smaller population of the southern states, while the southern states benefited from increased representation. However, it also meant that the issue of slavery became further entrenched in the Constitution, setting the stage for future conflicts.
- Moreover, the inclusion of the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise allowed Congress to regulate interstate commerce and levy taxes on imported slaves after 1808. Consequently, the southern states, which heavily relied on the slave trade, accepted some limitations on future slave importations.
Overall, the southern states saw these compromises as a way to protect their economic and political interests within the newly formed United States. However, the price they paid included potential limitations on the expansion of the slave trade and the constitutionally sanctioned recognition of slavery.
The Three-Fifths Compromise and the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise were indeed included in the United States Constitution due to the insistence of the southern states during the Constitutional Convention held in 1787. Let's understand why these items were important to the southern states and discuss the price they paid for their inclusion.
1. Three-Fifths Compromise:
The Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with how enslaved persons would be counted for the purposes of determining a state's population in the House of Representatives. Southern states, which had a significant population of enslaved individuals, wanted them to be included in the population count to increase their political power in Congress. However, the northern states, which had fewer slaves, argued that since enslaved persons were treated as property and denied many rights, they should not be counted at all.
As a compromise, it was agreed that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of apportioning seats in the House of Representatives and determining the direct taxes each state had to pay. This compromise gave the southern states additional representation in Congress, bolstering their political influence.
2. Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise:
The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise addressed the issue of whether Congress could regulate the international slave trade. The southern states relied heavily on slave labor, particularly for their agrarian economies, and wanted to ensure that slave trading would continue unhindered.
However, some northern delegates, driven by moral objections to slavery, sought to restrict or abolish the international slave trade. To reach a compromise, it was decided that Congress could regulate foreign trade, including the importation of slaves, but not before 1808, giving the southern states a 20-year grace period.
The Price Paid:
In exchange for the inclusion of these provisions, the southern states made certain concessions to their northern counterparts. One such concession was accepting the principle that Congress had the power to regulate both foreign and interstate commerce. This provision played an essential role in fostering the growth of a national economy and ensuring the stability of trade throughout the country.
Ultimately, the southern states paid a price for the inclusion of these compromises as it led to the perpetuation of slavery and institutionalized racial inequality within the nation. The Three-Fifths Compromise, while increasing their political power, treated enslaved persons as less than full citizens. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise allowed the slave trade to continue for decades, reinforcing the southern states' reliance on enslaved labor.
It is important to recognize that these compromises were products of the historical context and the differing perspectives and interests of the states during the formation of the Constitution. However, their inclusion perpetuated the systemic oppression and marginalization of enslaved individuals, contributing to the deep-rooted challenges faced by the United States in eradicating racism and inequality.