North vs. South Flashcards
What was the major divide between the Northern and Southern states in early U.S. history?
The issue of slavery; Northern states opposed it, while Southern states relied on it for their economy.
Why did Southern states want to count enslaved individuals in their population?
To gain more representatives in Congress, even though enslaved individuals had no rights.
What was the Northern states’ argument against counting enslaved individuals for representation?
If enslaved people were not considered citizens, they should not be counted toward representation.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
A constitutional agreement that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for population and representation purposes.
How did the Three-Fifths Compromise benefit Southern states?
It gave them more representation in the House of Representatives than if only free individuals were counted.
What were the two other key slavery-related clauses in the Constitution?
1) The importation of enslaved people could continue until 1808. 2) Escaped enslaved individuals had to be returned to their original state.
When did Congress gain the power to ban the importation of enslaved people?
After the year 1808.
What was required by the Constitution regarding escaped enslaved individuals?
They had to be returned to their original state.
Why were the compromises on slavery important for the Constitution’s ratification?
They helped secure agreement between the North and South but left the issue of slavery unresolved.
How did these compromises contribute to future conflicts?
They temporarily resolved representation issues but laid the groundwork for tensions that led to the Civil War.
