Summarize the conflicts and compromises of the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise
7 sentences answer
The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were both key agreements reached during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. The Great Compromise resolved the conflict between states regarding the representation in the legislative branch. It proposed a bicameral legislature, allowing for equal representation in the Senate, where each state would have two senators, while in the House of Representatives, representation would be based on population size. This compromise satisfied both small and large states, preserving a balance of power.
The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed the contentious issue of how enslaved individuals would be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation. Southern states wanted to count them as full persons, which would give them more representatives in the House and increased political power. However, Northern states objected and argued that enslaved individuals were property and should not be counted at all. The compromise settled on counting each enslaved individual as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation purposes.
These compromises were necessary to reach a consensus and ratify the Constitution, as unresolved conflicts could have resulted in a failed union. The Great Compromise ensured the equality and representation of each state, while the Three-Fifths Compromise aimed to balance the power dynamics between Northern and Southern states. Nevertheless, the Three-Fifths Compromise perpetuated the dehumanization of enslaved individuals, as they were denied full personhood and subjected to further discrimination and oppression. These compromises were ultimately products of intense negotiations and compromises that shaped the foundation of the United States' political system.
The Great Compromise was a crucial agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that addressed the issue of representation in the new American government. The conflict arose between states with large populations and those with small populations, as the former sought representation based on population, while the latter favored equal representation for all states. The compromise created a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives, where seats were apportioned based on each state's population, satisfying the large states, and the Senate, where each state had an equal number of seats, appeasing the small states.
On the other hand, the Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with the issue of how enslaved individuals should be counted when determining a state's population for representation and taxation purposes. Southern states wanted to include slaves in their population count to gain more representation, while northern states objected, as slaves were not considered citizens. The compromise stated that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted, providing a solution that satisfied both sides to some extent. This compromise gave southern states more seats in the House of Representatives than they would have had based solely on the free population, while also indirectly impacting the number of electoral votes each state received.
In summary, the Great Compromise resolved the conflict of representation between large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature, while the Three-Fifths Compromise addressed the issue of counting enslaved individuals for representation purposes by counting them as three-fifths of a person. Both compromises were necessary to secure agreement amongst the states and move forward in the creation of the United States government.
The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were significant agreements that played a major role in the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787.
The Great Compromise aimed to resolve the conflict between the large and small states regarding representation in the legislature. The larger states maintained that representation should be based on population, while the smaller states argued for equal representation for each state. A compromise was reached by creating a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate, where each state would have equal representation, and the House of Representatives, where representation would be based on population. This compromise satisfied both sides, as it balanced the interests of both large and small states.
The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed the contentious issue of how enslaved individuals should be counted for representation purposes. Southern states wanted to include slaves in the population count to increase their representation in Congress and the electoral college. However, northern states argued that since slaves were not treated as full citizens, they should not be counted equally. A compromise was reached where each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes. This compromise partially satisfied both sides, providing an advantage to the southern states while recognizing the unequal status of enslaved individuals.
These compromises were essential in garnering support for the new Constitution. They allowed for a delicate balance between the interests of different states, facilitating the ratification process. Although they were imperfect and reflect the complexities and tensions of the time, the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise played a crucial role in establishing the foundation of representation in the United States government.