Name__________________________ Date_____________________
Three-Fifths Compromise Portfolio
Worksheet
Directions: Use this worksheet to record your answers to the two questions that
make up the Three-Fifths Compromise Portfolio activity. Be sure to add citations as
necessary to avoid plagiarism. Present and explain your findings to your Learning
Coach. When you are finished, save this worksheet with your answers and submit it
for a portfolio grade.
Three-Fifths Compromise Portfolio
Record your answers below.
Question 1
For this portfolio activity, you will explain the arguments between the North and the
South about the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Compromise’s effects on the
political power of the South.
Using the 21st century skill of accessing and evaluating information, research and
summarize the arguments advanced by the South as to how enslaved people should
be counted towards representation and taxation. Be sure to add citations as
necessary to avoid plagiarism.
• Conduct research to access information about the different arguments that
were made for and against the Three-Fifths Compromise at the time.
• Summarize each viewpoint that your encounter. Be sure to communicate the
different viewpoints clearly. You will refer to your summaries as you evaluate
the different arguments surrounding the Three-Fifths Compromise.
• Select two or more points of view from your research. Evaluate the
arguments of each viewpoint.
What arguments were made for the Three-Fifths Compromise? Be sure to add
citations as necessary to avoid plagiarism.
Explain any weaknesses in this position.
What arguments were made against the Three-Fifths Compromise? Be sure to
add citations as necessary to avoid plagiarism.
Explain any weaknesses in this position.
Question 2
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.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a controversial agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that determined how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation purposes. In researching the arguments made for the Three-Fifths Compromise, it is clear that the South advocated for enslaved people to be counted as full individuals for the purpose of representation. They argued that since enslaved people were property, they should be included in the population count just like any other person. By counting them in full, the Southern states believed that they would have a greater voice in Congress and more political power overall. Supporters of the Three-Fifths Compromise also argued that it was necessary to include enslaved people in the population count in order to maintain national unity.
However, there were weaknesses in this position. Critics of the Three-Fifths Compromise pointed out that counting enslaved people as full individuals for representation purposes would significantly increase the political power of the Southern states, as they had a larger enslaved population compared to the North. This would result in disproportional representation in Congress, benefiting the South at the expense of the North. Additionally, opponents argued that it was morally and ethically wrong to count enslaved people as property for taxation purposes but as individuals for representation purposes, as it devalued their humanity and perpetuated the institution of slavery.
On the other hand, there were also arguments made against the Three-Fifths Compromise. Critics contended that enslaved people should not be counted at all for representation purposes, as they were not allowed to participate in the political process and had no rights as citizens. They argued that including enslaved people in the population count would only serve to strengthen the institution of slavery and perpetuate the inequality between free and enslaved individuals.
When considering the impact of the Great Compromise, the Electoral College, and the Three-Fifths Compromise on the South's political power, a chart can be created to illustrate their interaction. The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, established a bicameral legislature with equal representation for each state in the Senate (which benefited smaller states) and representation based on population in the House of Representatives (which benefited larger states). The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed for enslaved individuals to be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes. The Electoral College determined how the President would be elected, with each state having a number of electors based on their total representation in Congress.
When the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were combined, the South's political power was significantly strengthened. By counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes, the Southern states were able to increase their overall population count and, therefore, their representation in Congress. This gave them more influence and political power. Additionally, when considering the Electoral College, the Southern states were able to gain more electoral votes due to their increased population count. This further enhanced their political power and ability to influence the outcome of presidential elections. Overall, the combination of these compromises resulted in a significant advantage for the South in terms of political power.