What state gained the most representation because of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
Non-slave and slave population for each state taken from the 1790 census
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, and any links below:
The first U.S. Census act became law on 1 March 1790, and the census was completed by February 1792. The first reapportionment act became law on 14 April 1792. It provided that after 3 March 1793 the House of Representatives would consist of one member for every 33,000 persons in each state “computed according to the rule prescribed by the Constitution.” In 1793 how many states had an enslaved population of zero?
What state gained the most representation from counting enslaved people?
Overall, how many representatives were a result of the counting of enslaved people?
Enslaved people were counted when determining representation in the U.S. Congress. What election other than congress is influenced by the size of a state’s population?
The commonwealth of Virginia was the home of eight presidents, including four of the nation's first five: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Explain how the Three-Fifths compromise influenced the number of the presidents from Virginia?
One of the most difficult problems faced by the Constitutional Convention was how to apportion representation of the states in Congress. The Great Compromise (also referred to as the Connecticut Compromise) settled the controversy between the large and the small states by providing that the House of Representatives would be apportioned based on population (yay large states!), while the states would be equally represented in the Senate (yay small states!). Explain how the Great Compromise is similar to the Three-Fifths Compromise.
Imagine there was no Great Compromise and no Three-Fifths Compromise. How would the American political system be different today?
After the war, the 13th Amendment of 1865 effectively wiped out the three fifths compromise by outlawing slavery. But when the 14th amendment was ratified in 1868, it officially repealed the three fifths compromise Although it is no longer law, how does the legacy of the Three-Fifths Compromise continue to impact us today?
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a legal way to disenfranchise Black voters. Describe any efforts today to disenfranchise minority voters.
Read the following excerpt from the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2, Clause 3, and then explain whether Indians (Native Americans) counted towards representation at that time?
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. 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.
Learning Extension
Check out the inside story of The Three-Fifths Compromise.
Action Extension
The Three-Fifths Compromise was repealed by the 14th Amendment. Read about the constitutional amendment process, write a proposal for a new amendment to the constitution to repeal the Great Compromise and replace it with a unicameral legislature based either on population or equal representation per state (you decide which), and send it to your congressional representative.
Visual Extension
This lesson is here today but it will be gone tomorrow…unless you subscribe to our GoPo Archive.
Our searchable archive of over 1000 lessons to build U.S. government and politics content knowledge and skills. Cancel at any time. Use promo code SIGNMEUP at checkout to get the first month of our monthly subscription for free!
