The Three-Fifths Compromise: A Crucial Moment in American Legal History
Definition & Meaning
The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia. It allowed the government to count enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation in Congress. This compromise aimed to resolve the contentious debate between northern and southern states over how to count enslaved people in the population. By establishing this formula, the compromise effectively stated that enslaved individuals would not be fully recognized as persons under the law.
Legal Use & context
The Three-Fifths Compromise is primarily of historical significance rather than current legal practice. It played a crucial role in shaping the early legislative framework of the United States. While it no longer has legal standing, understanding this compromise is essential for those studying constitutional law, civil rights, and American history. Users can explore related legal forms and templates through US Legal Forms to understand the broader implications of representation and taxation in contemporary contexts.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: During the 1790 census, southern states benefited from the Three-Fifths Compromise as it allowed them to count a significant portion of their enslaved population, thus increasing their representation in Congress.
Example 2: (hypothetical example) If a state had a population of 100,000, with 60,000 being enslaved individuals, under the Three-Fifths Compromise, only 36,000 would be counted for representation purposes.