The leaders of the Continental Congress wanted the government to be different from that of England for several reasons, primarily stemming from their experiences with British rule and a desire to avoid the perceived tyranny and oppression they faced as colonies. Key concerns included:
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Representation: The Continental Congress sought a government that would provide fair representation for the colonies. They were particularly wary of a powerful central authority that could override the will of the people, as they had experienced with Parliament, which often imposed taxes and laws without colonial representation.
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Individual Rights: The leaders were concerned about the protection of individual rights and liberties. They believed in the principles of natural rights, where government should exist to protect individuals' rights rather than infringe upon them.
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Central Authority: There was a fear of a powerful executive branch reminiscent of the monarchy they had just fought against. They wanted to create a system that would limit the power of the government and ensure that it remained accountable to the people.
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State Sovereignty: Many of the leaders valued the autonomy of individual states and were worried that a strong central government would diminish state powers, leading to a loss of local governance and representation.
The 3/5 Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise was a pivotal agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in the United States. This compromise dealt with how enslaved individuals would be counted for purposes of taxation and representation in Congress. Here are the key points:
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Counting Enslaved People: The compromise stipulated that for every five enslaved individuals, three would be counted as part of the population for determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation purposes.
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Balancing Interests: The compromise was a way to balance the interests of Northern states, which had few enslaved people and favored counting only free individuals, and Southern states, which wanted to count enslaved individuals to increase their representation in Congress.
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Impact on Representation: By counting enslaved individuals, Southern states gained greater representation in Congress, which enabled them to exert more influence over federal legislation.
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Legacy: The 3/5 Compromise highlighted the contentious nature of slavery in the United States and was a temporary solution that ultimately contributed to the deep divides over the issue, leading up to the Civil War. It was eventually rendered moot by the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.