27.3k views
1 vote
Hamilton's speech at the convention was in response to which of the following?

A) Criticism from the Southern states over the federal government's new taxation policies
B) Southern appeal to grant greater powers to the House of Representatives over the Senate
C) Northern resentment of the political advantage the Three-Fifths Compromise granted the South
D) Confusion within the states over the process of conducting the census.

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Hamilton's speech addressed the Northern resentment over the Three-Fifths Compromise, influencing representation, taxation, and the balance of federal and state power. so, option c is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hamilton's Speech at the Constitutional Convention

Hamilton's speech at the convention primarily addressed tensions related to representation and taxation as influenced by the Three-Fifths Compromise. The speech was a response to Northern resentment regarding the political advantage that the Three-Fifths Compromise granted the South. This compromise allowed a portion of the enslaved population to be counted for both taxation and representation, thus giving southern states more influence in Congress. As the northern states became more vocal against slavery and its influence on federal power, concerns emerged about the potential nationalization of slavery and the balance of power between free and slave states.

The issue was exacerbated by the question of assumption, which was where states like Virginia felt disadvantaged as they had paid off their debts, but the federal government, through Hamilton's plan, would tax their citizens to pay off the debts of other states. This fueled debates about the extent of federal power and the autonomy of states. Ultimately, resolutions to these issues involved compromises such as the future relocation of the nation's capital to appease Southern interests and allow for Hamilton's financial strategies to proceed.

User Zack Elan
by
8.2k points