Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the Three-Fifths Compromise and the issue of slavery?
Well, let me try to lighten up this serious topic for you. The Three-Fifths Compromise was like trying to divide a pizza and calling 3/5 of a pizza whole. It was a compromise made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It determined that each slave would count as three-fifths of a person when determining a state's population for representation in Congress. So, in short, the compromise was a bizarre math equation that attempted to balance state representation and the pesky issue of slavery. It's a classic case of trying to solve a serious problem with some comedic math.
The accurate statement regarding the Three-Fifths Compromise and the issue of slavery is that the Three-Fifths Compromise was a constitutional compromise reached in 1787 between Northern and Southern states during the drafting of the United States Constitution. It determined that for the purposes of representation in Congress and taxation, slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person. This compromise was an acknowledgment of the existence of slavery and gave Southern states greater representation and power compared to their non-slaveholding counterparts in the North. However, it did not address the issue of slavery directly.
To determine which statement is accurate regarding the Three-Fifths Compromise and the issue of slavery, we need to understand the historical context and the significance of this compromise.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement reached during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. It addressed the issue of how enslaved people would be counted for the purposes of representation in the House of Representatives and taxation. Here are three statements related to this compromise:
1. Statement 1: The Three-Fifths Compromise affirmed that enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes.
This statement is accurate. The Three-Fifths Compromise indeed stipulated that, for representation and taxation, each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person. This compromise granted Southern states the ability to increase their representation in Congress because they had a substantial enslaved population. However, it is important to note that this compromise did not grant enslaved people any rights or freedoms; it merely determined how they would be counted.
2. Statement 2: The Three-Fifths Compromise abolished the institution of slavery in the United States.
This statement is inaccurate. The Three-Fifths Compromise did not abolish slavery. It was specifically aimed at determining the representation and taxation of enslaved people, not addressing the morality or legality of slavery itself. Slavery continued to exist in the United States until it was officially abolished by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.
3. Statement 3: The Three-Fifths Compromise was universally supported by all states at the time.
This statement is inaccurate. The Three-Fifths Compromise was a contentious issue during the Constitutional Convention, with both Northern and Southern states having differing perspectives. Some states in the North opposed considering enslaved people as part of the population for representation, while the Southern states lobbied for their inclusion. The compromise was eventually reached to ensure the ratification of the Constitution.
In conclusion, statement 1 is accurate, statement 2 is inaccurate, and statement 3 is inaccurate when it comes to the Three-Fifths Compromise and the issue of slavery.