What was the “Three-Fifths Compromise”?

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a significant decision made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It established that for the purposes of both representation in Congress and taxation, three-fifths of the enslaved population in a state would be counted. This compromise was crucial because it addressed the contentious issue between Northern and Southern states regarding how slaves should be counted when apportioning congressional seats and determining tax responsibilities.

The Southern states, which had larger slave populations, wanted to count enslaved individuals fully to gain more political power and representation. In contrast, Northern states, where slavery was less prevalent, opposed this idea. The compromise struck a balance by allowing states to count 60% of their enslaved population, thus affecting both the number of representatives in the House and how much tax those states would pay.

This resolution helped facilitate the ratification of the Constitution by maintaining a delicate balance of power between the North and South, highlighting the complexities and challenges surrounding slavery at that time.