The Three-Fifths Compromise was primarily a response to the contentious debate over how slaves would be counted when determining a state’s population for legislative representation and taxation purposes during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
At the heart of the issue was the clash between northern and southern states. Southern states, with large enslaved populations, wanted slaves to be fully counted in determining representation in Congress, which would give them more political power. Conversely, northern states, where slavery was less prevalent, argued that slaves should not be counted at all since they were not granted the right to vote.
The compromise reached was that for every five enslaved individuals, three would be counted as part of the population. This was a middle ground aimed at appeasing both sides. While it provided southern states with increased representation, it also acknowledged the moral conflict surrounding slavery by not counting enslaved individuals fully.
This compromise played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the United States and highlighted the deep divisions around the issue of slavery that would eventually lead to the Civil War.