What was addressed by the three fifths compromise

In the Continental Congress, where each state had an equal vote, there were only five states in which slavery was a major institution. Thus the southern states had about 38 percent of the seats in the Continental Congress. Because of the Three-Fifths Compromise, the southern states had nearly 45 percent of the seats in the first U. Congress, which took office in It is ironic that it was a liberal northern delegate, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, who proposed the Three-Fifths Compromise, as a way to gain southern support for a new framework of government.

Southern states had wanted representation apportioned by population; after the Virginia Plan was rejected, the Three-Fifths Compromise seemed to guarantee that the South would be strongly represented in the House of Representatives and would have disproportionate power in electing Presidents.

Over the long term, the Three-Fifths Compromise did not work as the South anticipated. Since the northern states grew more rapidly than the South, by , southern representation in the House had fallen to 42 percent. Nevertheless, from Jefferson's election as President in to the s, the three-fifths rule would help to elect slaveholding Presidents.

Southern political power increasingly depended on the Senate, the President, and the admission of new slaveholding states. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. All rights reserved. Chapters American Politics News. The Three-fifths Compromise What was it? Who advocated it? Northern states, where very few slaves resided. Robinson, Slavery in the Structure of American Politics , p.

Southern States Argument: Slaves should count fully toward the apportionment of House seats. Northern States Argument: Because they could not vote and were not citizens, slaves should not count toward the apportionment of House seats.

Answer the following question:. Not only did the Three-fifths Compromise matter for the initial apportionment of House seats, but the Southern states believed that they would continue to accrue benefits over time, as the continued importation of slaves meant that the three-fifths rule, once established, would increase their House representation and offset non-slave population growth in the Northwest.

Examining the Policy Principle The Policy Principle: political outcomes are the products of individual preferences and institutional procedures. Answer the following questions:. In ? What advantages did the three-fifths rule give the South in national policy making?