Simone Lawson
Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, also known as the Three-Fifths Compromise, was a vital part of negotiations surrounding the constitution. This clause outlined how representatives and taxes were split between states, with each slave in a state counting as three-fifths of a person. This compromise appeased the Southern States, as it allowed slave votes to only count as three-fifths of a free person's vote. However, the Fourteenth Amendment later superseded this clause, removing it from the constitution and reducing states' congressional representation if they prevented eligible voters from voting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clause 3 of the US Constitution | Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 |
| What it outlined | How representatives and taxes must be split between states |
| What it entailed | Every five slaves in a state counted as three free people to determine the number of congresspeople a state was allotted |
| Reason for removal | It was superseded by the Fourteenth Amendment, which also included language to reduce states' congressional representation if they prevented eligible voters from voting |
| Impact of the three-fifths compromise | Thomas Jefferson may have lost the 1800 presidential election; southern states would have been outvoted in the House nearly immediately |
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What You'll Learn
The Fourteenth Amendment
Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, also known as the Three-Fifths Compromise, outlined how representatives and taxes must be split between states. This clause was superseded by the Fourteenth Amendment, which not only removed the Three-Fifths Clause but also included language to reduce states' congressional representation if they prevented eligible voters from voting.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a vital part of negotiations surrounding the Constitution, as it brought all states on board to ratify the document. However, it also contributed to regional differences and continuing debates over slavery, representation, and laws, which ultimately led to a bloody civil war.
The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed a slave's vote to count as only three-fifths of a free person's vote. This compromise was reached to appease the Southern states, which had a higher population due to slavery. By counting slaves as three-fifths of a person, the Southern states gained more congressional seats and, therefore, more political power.
The removal of the Three-Fifths Compromise through the Fourteenth Amendment had a significant impact on the nation's history. It reduced the number of congressional seats held by slave states, shifting the balance of power in the House of Representatives. This amendment also ensured that states could not prevent eligible voters from exercising their right to vote without facing consequences.
In conclusion, the Fourteenth Amendment addressed the issues of slavery, representation, and voting rights, which were at the core of the regional differences and debates that plagued the United States during that time. By removing the Three-Fifths Compromise, the amendment took a crucial step towards securing equal rights and representation for all citizens, regardless of race or state.
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The three-fifths compromise
The compromise was regarding the inclusion of slaves in counting a state's total population. This total population count was used to determine the number of seats in the House of Representatives, the number of electoral votes each state would be allocated, and how much money the states would pay in taxes.
Slaveholding states wanted their entire population to be counted to determine the number of Representatives they could send to Congress. On the other hand, free states wanted to exclude the counting of slave populations in slave states, as those slaves had no voting rights.
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Congressional representation
Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, also known as the Three-Fifths Compromise, was removed by the Fourteenth Amendment. The Three-Fifths Compromise outlined that representatives and taxes must be divided between states based on population. This meant that every five slaves in a state were counted as three free people, which determined how many congresspeople a state would be allocated.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a crucial aspect of the negotiations surrounding the Constitution. It was implemented to appease the Southern States, as it allowed slaves' votes to only count as three-fifths of a vote. This compromise significantly impacted the congressional representation of states with a high slave population, such as Virginia. Without the Three-Fifths Compromise, Virginia would have had a much smaller proportion of congressional representatives compared to states with smaller overall populations but no slaves, like Massachusetts.
The removal of the Three-Fifths Compromise by the Fourteenth Amendment not only eliminated the clause but also included language that aimed to reduce states' congressional representation if they prevented eligible voters from voting. This amendment addressed the issues of representation and slavery that had been a source of contention and ultimately led to the Civil War.
The impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise on the nation's history has been a subject of debate among historians. For example, it is speculated that Thomas Jefferson may have lost the 1800 presidential election if not for the compromise. By removing congressional seats based on the slave population, it becomes evident that the Southern states would have been outvoted in the House almost immediately. This compromise, therefore, played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the early United States.
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Civil liberties
The Constitution of the United States of America was established to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". Civil liberties are perhaps the most fundamental political value in American society. The Bill of Rights, added to the Constitution in 1791, is a broad expression of individual civil liberties.
The First Amendment guarantees the rights of conscience, such as freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and the right of peaceful assembly and petition. The right to freedom of the press, for example, was upheld by the Court in a case against the New York Times, which published the "Pentagon Papers" revealing negative actions of the government during the Vietnam War.
The Bill of Rights also guarantees fair procedures for persons accused of a crime, such as protection against unreasonable search and seizure, compulsory self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and excessive bail. It also guarantees a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury before an impartial judge and representation by counsel. Rights of private property are also guaranteed.
The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people. It also placed an important federal limitation on the states by forbidding them to deny to any person "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" and guaranteeing everyone within a state's jurisdiction "the equal protection of its laws".
The Supreme Court has selectively applied the due process clause to protect other rights and liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, a process known as "selective incorporation". The most controversial use of the due process clause was in Roe v. Wade (1973), which led to the nationwide legalization of abortion.
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Ratification
Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, also known as the Three-Fifths Compromise, was removed through the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. This process required the proposal of amendments by two-thirds of both Houses of Congress or by the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States. In either case, ratification was achieved when three-fourths of the several States or three-fourths of State Conventions approved the amendments.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a vital part of negotiations surrounding the Constitution. It allowed slave states to count three-fifths of their slave population towards their total population when determining congressional representation and taxation. This compromise gave Southern states more power in Congress as it increased their representation relative to their free population. For example, in 1793, slave states held 47 out of 105 congressional seats due to the Three-Fifths Compromise. Without it, they would have only held 33 seats.
The removal of the Three-Fifths Compromise through the Fourteenth Amendment addressed the issue of representation in Congress by reducing states' congressional representation if they prevented eligible voters from voting. This amendment superseded the Three-Fifths Compromise, which had been a source of regional differences and continuing debates over slavery, representation, and laws, ultimately leading to the Civil War.
The ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment was a significant step towards addressing the issue of unfair representation in Congress and reducing the influence of slavery on political power. It replaced the Three-Fifths Compromise, which had been a contentious aspect of the Constitution, with a more equitable system that respected the civil liberties of all individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
The Three-Fifths Compromise was necessary because it allowed the Southern states to come on board to ratify the Constitution. Without it, the Southern states would have been outvoted in the House nearly immediately.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was part of the United States Constitution, which stated that every five slaves in a state would count as three free people. This determined how many congresspeople a state would be allotted.
The Three-Fifths Compromise had a significant impact on elections. For example, Thomas Jefferson may have lost the 1800 presidential election were it not for the Three-Fifths Compromise.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was superseded by the Fourteenth Amendment, which also included language that attempted to reduce states' congressional representation if they prevented eligible voters from voting.
