On the question of whether to count slaves as part of a state's population in determining its representation in the House of Representatives, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention made which of the following decisions?
A) The slaves would not be counted at all.
B) One-fifth of the slaves would be counted in the population totals.
C) Two-fifths of the slaves would be counted in the population totals.
D) Three-fifths of the slaves would be counted in the population totals.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention decided that three-fifths of the slaves would be counted in the population totals for determining a state's representation in the House of Representatives. This compromise was known as the Three-Fifths Compromise and was included in the Constitution. It was a contentious issue at the time, as some delegates argued that slaves should not be counted at all while others argued that they should be counted in full. The compromise was reached as a way to appease both sides and maintain unity within the Convention.

On the Question of Whether to Count Slaves as Part