Question 1:
Research on the arguments advanced by the South in regards to how enslaved people should be counted towards representation and taxation during the time of the Three-Fifths Compromise reveals two main viewpoints.
One viewpoint from the South argued that enslaved individuals should be counted as whole persons for the purposes of representation in Congress. This argument was based on the belief that since enslaved individuals were considered property and were used to generate wealth for their owners, they should also contribute to the political power of their states. This argument emphasized the need for Southern states to have equal representation in Congress in order to protect their interests and maintain their way of life.
Another viewpoint from the South argued that enslaved individuals should not be counted at all for the purposes of representation in Congress. This argument was based on the idea that since enslaved individuals were considered property and were not allowed to participate in the political process, they should not be used to enhance the political power of their states. This argument highlighted the contradiction of counting individuals as both property and people at the same time.
Weaknesses associated with these viewpoints include the dehumanization of enslaved individuals in both arguments, as they were treated as property rather than as human beings deserving of rights and recognition. Additionally, both arguments failed to address the inherent cruelty and injustice of slavery itself, focusing instead on the political implications for the Southern states.
Question 2:
The Three-Fifths Compromise, the Great Compromise, and the establishment of the Electoral College all interacted to impact the power of Southern states in various ways.
The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed Southern states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population towards both representation in Congress and taxation, giving them additional political power in the federal government. The Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives, also contributed to the political power of Southern states by giving them a voice in the federal government that was proportional to their population, including their enslaved population.
The establishment of the Electoral College further enhanced the power of Southern states by giving each state a number of electoral votes equal to their total representation in Congress, which included the three-fifths of their enslaved population. This meant that Southern states had an advantage in presidential elections due to their increased representation in the Electoral College.
Overall, the combination of the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Great Compromise, and the Electoral College significantly boosted the political power of Southern states by allowing them to have greater representation in Congress and influence over the election of the President. This arrangement enabled Southern states to protect and advance their interests, particularly in relation to the institution of slavery, and maintain a disproportionate amount of power within the federal government.
This activity will be submitted at the end of this lesson as your portfolio assessment. In this activity, you will explain the arguments on both sides of the Three-Fifths Compromise (North and South) and its effects on the political power of the South. Question 1 Using the 21st century skill of accessing and evaluating information, research and summarize the arguments advanced by the South as to how enslaved people should be counted towards representation and taxation. Conduct research to access information about the different arguments for and against the Three-Fifths Compromise that were made at the time. Summarize each viewpoint that you encounter. Be sure to communicate the different viewpoints clearly. You will refer to your summaries as you evaluate the different arguments surrounding the Three-Fifths Compromise. Select two points of view from your research. Evaluate the viewpoints by explaining any weaknesses associated with these viewpoints. Record your answers on the portfolio worksheet. Question 2 Evaluate the impact the Three-Fifths Compromise had on the power of Southern states. Create a chart showing how the Great Compromise, the Electoral College, and the Three-Fifths Compromise interacted to impact the South’s political power. Great Compromise Establishment of the Electoral College What were the provisions of the compromise? How did the compromise impact the South’s political power when combined with the Three-Fifths Compromise? Review your chart. Then, communicating clearly in one paragraph, explain how the Great Compromise and the Electoral College, when combined with the Three-Fifths Compromise, affected the power of southern states.
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