Create a chart showing how the Great Compromise, the Electoral College, and the
Three-Fifths Compromise interacted to impact the South’s political power. Then write
a paragraph that explains the information shown on your chart.
Great Compromise Electoral College
What were the
provisions of the
compromise?
How did the
compromise
impact the
South’s political
power when
combined with the
Three-Fifths
Compromise?
Review your chart. Then, communicating clearly in one paragraph, explain how the
Great Compromise and the Electoral College, when combined with the Three-Fifths
Compromise, affected the political power of southern states.
Write your paragraph here.
Chart:
Great Compromise:
- Created a bicameral legislature with a Senate (equal representation for all states) and a House of Representatives (representation based on population)
Electoral College:
- Created a system where the President is elected by electors, who are chosen by each state based on their number of Representatives and Senators
Three-Fifths Compromise:
- Counted 3 out of every 5 slaves towards a state's population for the purpose of determining representation in the House of Representatives
Explanation:
The Great Compromise, which created a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives, had an impact on the South's political power when combined with the Three-Fifths Compromise. The Three-Fifths Compromise counted 3 out of every 5 slaves towards a state's population, thus increasing the population of southern states. This increased population, combined with the representation based on population in the House of Representatives, gave southern states more political power in the House. Additionally, the Electoral College system, which allocated electors based on a state's number of Representatives and Senators, also contributed to the South's political power. The Southern states had a larger population due to the Three-Fifths Compromise and therefore had more electors to vote for the President. This increased political power in both the House and the selection of the President allowed the South to have an influential presence in politics during this time period.
Chart:
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| | Great Compromise | Electoral College |
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| Provisions | Bicameral legislature | Indirect election of the |
| | (Senate equal | President based on state |
| | representation, | population |
| | House based on | |
| | population) | |
| Impact on South's | Provided equal | Provided additional |
| political power | representation for | representation for |
| | each state in the Senate | smaller states through |
| | regardless of | electoral votes |
| | population | |
| | | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explanation:
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, had provisions for a bicameral legislature, with the Senate representing states equally and the House representing states based on population. This compromise ensured that each state, including the southern states, would have equal representation in the Senate. Combined with the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted three-fifths of a state's enslaved population for the purpose of determining representation, the South gained additional political power. The Electoral College, which determines the indirect election of the President based on state population, also impacted southern political power. It provided smaller states, including those in the South, with additional representation through electoral votes. Collectively, these compromises increased the political power of southern states by ensuring equal representation in the Senate, counting enslaved individuals towards representation, and providing additional votes through the Electoral College system.
To create a chart showing the interaction between the Great Compromise, the Electoral College, and the Three-Fifths Compromise and their impact on the South's political power, begin by considering the provisions of each compromise.
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was reached during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It established a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The House was based on population, benefiting larger states, while the Senate had equal representation for each state, benefiting smaller states.
The Electoral College is a system for electing the President of the United States. It consists of electors from each state, chosen by the state legislatures, who cast their votes for the President. The number of electors per state is determined by the total number of representatives and senators.
The Three-Fifths Compromise, also reached during the Constitutional Convention, counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
Now that we have an understanding of the provisions, we can analyze the impact on the South's political power. When combined, these compromises had a significant impact on the South's political power. The Three-Fifths Compromise gave Southern states an advantage as they were able to count a portion of their enslaved population, therefore gaining more representation in the House of Representatives and an increased influence in the Electoral College. This allowed the South to exert greater political power, as they had more seats in the House and more electors in the Electoral College. This combination of compromises perpetuated and strengthened the South's political power and influence on national policies, particularly regarding issues such as slavery.