Question

The three-fifths compromise is one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the United States. What is the three-fifths compromise and what was its purpose?

Answer 1

The three-fifths compromise was a big component of the Connecticut Compromise. Since the compromise said that representation in the House of Representatives was to be based on population, the “value” of a slave had to be defined. In particular, smaller states did not think larger states with more slaves should be allowed to consider slaves as part of their population. A compromise was reached: a slave would count as three-fifths of a person when counting population for representation.