If enslaved people were not counted towards the population at least 60 percent, the state that would be hurt the worst in terms of distribution of power would likely be Maryland. This is because Maryland had a relatively high population of enslaved people compared to the other listed states.
The Three-Fifths Compromise, established during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, determined that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of apportioning seats in the House of Representatives and determining the amount of direct taxes each state would pay. This decision benefited states with a larger enslaved population, as it increased their representation in Congress and allowed them to have more influence in the political arena.
Among the listed states, Maryland had a significant enslaved population during that time. According to the 1790 U.S. Census, Maryland had approximately 103,000 enslaved individuals, which accounted for around 31% of its total population. In contrast, New York had only around 21,300 enslaved individuals (6% of the population), Pennsylvania had around 3,700 (1% of the population), and Rhode Island had around 950 (5% of the population).
Therefore, if enslaved individuals were not counted towards the population at the 60 percent threshold, Maryland would have faced a significant reduction in its population count, resulting in a decrease in its representation in the House of Representatives and potentially a diminished level of political power compared to the other listed states.
analyze the three-fifths compromise. Which state would be hurt the worst in terms of distribution of power if enslaved people were not counted toward population at least 60 percent? 1. Maryland; 2. New York; 3. Pennsylvania; or 4. Rhode Island
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