How did the

Question

compromise
impact the
South’s political
power when
combined with the
Three-Fifths
Compromise?
electoral college

Answer 1

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.