Which Statement Summarizes the Enslaved Persons Clause?

The Enslaved Persons Clause, also known as the Three-Fifths Compromise, was a provision in the United States Constitution that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation and taxation. This clause was a controversial compromise that allowed the Southern states to keep their enslaved population while still giving them a measure of representation in Congress.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the Enslaved Persons Clause?

• (A) Enslaved people were counted as full citizens for the purposes of representation and taxation.
• (B) Enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation and taxation.
• (C) Enslaved people were not counted at all for the purposes of representation and taxation.
• (D) Enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation but not taxation.

The correct answer is (B) Enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation and taxation.

Historical Context of the Enslaved Persons Clause

The Enslaved Persons Clause was part of the larger Compromise of 1850, which was a series of laws passed by Congress in an attempt to resolve the issue of slavery in the newly acquired territories of the United States. The compromise was negotiated by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky and included three main provisions:

• The admission of California as a free state
• The organization of the Utah and New Mexico territories without any restrictions on slavery
• The passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, which required all states to return escaped enslaved people to their owners

The Enslaved Persons Clause was included in the Compromise of 1850 as a way to appease the Southern states, which were opposed to the admission of California as a free state. The clause allowed the Southern states to keep their enslaved population while still giving them a measure of representation in Congress.

Impact of the Enslaved Persons Clause

The Enslaved Persons Clause had a significant impact on the development of the United States. The clause allowed the Southern states to maintain their power in Congress, which helped to perpetuate the institution of slavery. The clause also contributed to the growing tensions between the North and the South, which eventually led to the Civil War.

The Enslaved Persons Clause was repealed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution in 1868. The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including enslaved people. The amendment also prohibited states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Key Facts About the Enslaved Persons Clause

• The Enslaved Persons Clause was part of the Compromise of 1850.
• The clause counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a free person for the purposes of representation and taxation.
• The clause helped to perpetuate the institution of slavery in the United States.
• The clause was repealed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution in 1868.

FAQs About the Enslaved Persons Clause

• What was the purpose of the Enslaved Persons Clause?
  • The purpose of the Enslaved Persons Clause was to appease the Southern states, which were opposed to the admission of California as a free state. The clause allowed the Southern states to keep their enslaved population while still giving them a measure of representation in Congress.
• Why was the Enslaved Persons Clause controversial?
  • The Enslaved Persons Clause was controversial because it counted enslaved people as less than full citizens. The clause was seen as a way to perpetuate the institution of slavery.
• How did the Enslaved Persons Clause impact the development of the United States?
  • The Enslaved Persons Clause had a significant impact on the development of the United States. The clause allowed the Southern states to maintain their power in Congress, which helped to perpetuate the institution of slavery. The clause also contributed to the growing tensions between the North and the South, which eventually led to the Civil War.