What was the debate over slavery and representation?

What was the debate over slavery and representation?

During the debate, some delegates argued that slaves were property. They could not be counted for purposes of representation. Others argued that slaves were people and should be counted with everyone else. Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania made an angry speech.

Why didn’t the North want to count slaves in the population?

Northerners at the Constitutional Convention wanted slaves not to count as persons at all, because the Northerners didn’t want the slave states to get all those seats in the House. Not all Northerners opposed slavery, but they opposed giving the South political power based on nonvoting slaves.

How were slaves counted towards the population of a state?

The compromise counted three-fifths of each state’s slave population toward that state’s total population for the purpose of apportioning the House of Representatives. In the United States Constitution, the Three-fifths Compromise is part of Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3.

Why did the south want to count slaves in their population?

Counting them as part of the population would greatly increase the South’s political power, but it would also mean paying higher taxes. This was a price the Southern states were willing to pay. They argued in favor of counting slaves.

Why did the northern and southern states disagree on the issue of counting slaves in the census?

Counting them as part of the population would greatly increase the South’s political power, but it would also mean paying higher taxes. This was a price the Southern states were willing to pay. They argued in favor of counting slaves. Northern states disagreed.

How did Northern states want slaves to be counted?

Three-fifths compromise, compromise agreement between delegates from the Northern and the Southern states at the United States Constitutional Convention (1787) that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

How did northern states with fewer slaves want slaves to be counted toward representation?

States with few or no slaves wanted to count only free persons. States with many slaves wanted to count slaves towards their total. The compromise reached was to count slaves as three-fifths of a person. The relevant part of the Constitution is in Article I, Section 2.