How did the
compromise
impact the
South’s political
power when
combined with the
Three-Fifths
Compromise?
electoral college
The Compromise of 1787, also known as the Great Compromise, significantly impacted the South's political power, especially when combined with the Three-Fifths Compromise.
The Great Compromise was reached during the Constitutional Convention, and it aimed to address the issue of representation in the newly formed Congress. It proposed a bicameral legislature, with equal representation for each state in the Senate and proportional representation based on population in the House of Representatives. This compromise benefited the smaller states, as they were ensured equal representation in the Senate, while larger states gained more influence in the House.
On the other hand, the Three-Fifths Compromise, also reached during the Constitutional Convention, addressed the issue of how enslaved individuals should be counted for representation and taxation purposes. It decreed that for every five enslaved individuals, three would be counted towards population calculations. This compromise increased the population count of Southern states, which had a higher number of enslaved individuals, thereby boosting their representation in the House of Representatives.
By combining these two compromises, the South gained substantial political power. The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed the Southern states to count a significant portion of their enslaved population towards their total population, bolstering their representation in the House. Furthermore, the Great Compromise allocated more seats in the House of Representatives based on population, benefiting states with larger populations, such as those in the South.
As a result, the combination of these compromises enhanced the South's political power within the federal government. The Southern states were able to wield considerable influence, both due to their increased representation in the House and their equal representation in the Senate. This gave them a greater voice in the crafting of legislation and in national decisions.
The Compromise of 1787, also known as the Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise, and the Three-Fifths Compromise both had significant impacts on the South's political power, particularly in relation to the Electoral College. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how these compromises affected the South's political power when combined:
1. The Great Compromise: This compromise resolved the issue of representation in the United States Congress by creating a bicameral legislature. It established the House of Representatives, where each state's representation was based on its population, and the Senate, where each state would have an equal number of representatives.
2. Three-Fifths Compromise: This compromise addressed the issue of counting enslaved individuals towards a state's population for determining representation and taxation. It stated that enslaved persons would be counted as three-fifths of a person.
3. Impact on Southern Political Power: The combination of the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise affected the South's political power in several ways:
a. Increased representation: The Three-Fifths Compromise inflated the population count of the South by considering enslaved individuals in the representation calculation. As a result, the South gained additional seats in the House of Representatives, which increased their political clout and influence in national decision-making.
b. Electoral College: The number of representatives a state had in the House of Representatives determined its electoral votes in the Electoral College. With the inflated population count due to the Three-Fifths Compromise, the South had a higher number of electoral votes compared to what it would have had if enslaved individuals were not counted. This gave the South more influence in presidential elections and significantly impacted the balance of power between the North and the South.
c. Effect on slavery: The combined impact of these compromises reinforced the South's reliance on and defense of the institution of slavery. The increased political power of the South allowed them to block or weaken measures that threatened slavery, such as anti-slavery legislation or amendments to the Constitution. This further solidified the South's control over its own political and economic interests.
In summary, the Compromise of 1787 and the Three-Fifths Compromise, when combined, had a substantial impact on the South's political power. It increased their representation in Congress, boosted their electoral votes in the Electoral College, and reinforced their position on issues relating to slavery.
To understand how the Compromise impacted the South's political power when combined with the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Electoral College, we need to break down each component and their effects.
1. Compromise: The Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise, was reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It addressed the disagreement between states regarding the representation in the legislative branch. The Compromise established a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate, where each state would have equal representation, and the House of Representatives, where representation would be based on population.
2. Three-Fifths Compromise: The Three-Fifths Compromise was also reached during the Constitutional Convention to address the issue of determining the population for representation and taxation purposes. It stipulated that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for these purposes. This compromise favored the Southern states, where slavery was more prevalent, as it increased their population count.
3. Electoral College: The Electoral College is the system used in the United States to elect the President. Under this system, each state is allocated a number of electors based on their representation in Congress (the sum of their Senators and Representatives). The electors then cast their votes for the President. The number of electors is determined by the state's population, which is influenced by the Three-Fifths Compromise.
Combining these factors, we can see how the Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise impacted the South's political power when combined with the Electoral College:
- The Compromise ensured that each state had equal representation in the Senate, regardless of population. This benefited smaller states, including some Southern states, by providing them with a say equal to larger states.
- The Three-Fifths Compromise increased the Southern states' representation in the House of Representatives since they had a larger population due to counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person. This gave them more influence in the lower chamber of Congress.
- The population count determined by the Three-Fifths Compromise also influenced the number of electors a state received in the Electoral College. The larger the state's population, the more electoral votes it had. This meant that Southern states, with their significant enslaved population, had greater electoral power.
In summary, the Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, and Electoral College worked together to increase the South's political power. The Three-Fifths Compromise particularly benefited them, as it boosted their representation in the House of Representatives and increased their electoral votes through the Electoral College.