Research and compare the arguments delegates proposed for and against the Three-Fifths Compromise.
Constructing a graphic organizer that explains the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise combined with other Constitutional compromises.
After doing the above, consider the following before submitting your answer:
Was the South morally or politically justified in its insistence on the Three-Fifths compromise?
Based on what you know about the relationship between the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Electoral College, do you support keeping or abolishing the Electoral College?
How did the Three-Fifths Compromise influence the way Congress is represented?
Do you believe the arguments which led to the Great Compromise and establishment of the Electoral College are still relevant today? Why or why not?
For the Three-Fifths Compromise, delegates proposed arguments both for and against it. The delegates from Southern states, who had a large population of enslaved people, supported the compromise because it would increase their representation in Congress. They argued that enslaved individuals should be counted as full persons for the purpose of representation, as this would give the South greater political power.
On the other hand, delegates from Northern states and some anti-slavery advocates were against the Three-Fifths Compromise. They argued that counting enslaved individuals as part of the population for representation purposes would give the Southern states an unfair advantage. They believed that enslaved people should not be counted at all, as they were not considered citizens and had no voting rights. Some Northern delegates also argued that it was immoral to consider enslaved individuals as property that could be used to determine political representation.
Constructing a graphic organizer to explain the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise combined with other Constitutional compromises might look like this:
- Three-Fifths Compromise:
- Increased political power of Southern states with large enslaved populations
- Reinforced the institution of slavery
- Contributed to the tensions between Northern and Southern states
- Other constitutional compromises:
- Great Compromise: Balanced representation in Congress with a bicameral legislature (House of Representatives based on population, Senate with equal representation for each state)
- Electoral College: Established a system for electing the President, partially influenced by the Three-Fifths Compromise (as it affected population-based representation)
Considering the moral and political justification of the South's insistence on the Three-Fifths compromise is subjective. From a moral standpoint, many argue that it was not justified as it was inherently dehumanizing to consider enslaved individuals as fractions of a person. However, from a political standpoint, considering the South's reliance on slavery as an economic and social institution at the time, their insistence can be seen as a way to preserve their power and interests.
Based on the relationship between the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Electoral College, one's support for keeping or abolishing the Electoral College becomes a personal opinion. Some may argue that the compromise's influence on the Electoral College is undemocratic, as it grants disproportional power to states with larger populations. Others may argue that it provides smaller states with a voice and prevents purely majority-based rule. Ultimately, the decision to support or abolish the Electoral College depends on one's priorities and interpretation of democratic representation.
The Three-Fifths Compromise influenced the way Congress is represented by counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person when determining the population for representation purposes. This increased the representation of Southern states in Congress, giving them greater political power. However, it also reinforced the institution of slavery and contributed to the tensions between Northern and Southern states.
The arguments that led to the Great Compromise and the establishment of the Electoral College can still be relevant today, although their application may differ. The issue of balancing representation between populous and less populous states, as addressed in the Great Compromise, is still a relevant concern in modern politics. Similarly, the Electoral College remained a topic of debate, with arguments for and against its effectiveness and democratic representation. However, as society evolves and new issues emerge, the relevance of these arguments may change, and alternative solutions may need to be considered.