what is the definition of the 3/5 compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
The Convention had unanimously accepted the principle that representation in the House of Representatives would be in proportion to the relative state populations . However , since slaves could not vote , leaders in slave states would thus have the benefit of increased representation in the House and the Electoral College . Delegates opposed to slavery proposed that only free inhabitants of each state be counted for apportionment purposes , while delegates supportive of slavery , on the other hand , opposed the proposal , wanting slaves to count in their actual numbers . The compromise that was finally agreed upon -- of counting `` all other persons '' as only three - fifths of their actual numbers -- reduced the representation of the slave states relative to the original proposals , but improved it over the Northern position . An inducement for slave states to accept the Compromise was its tie to taxation in the same ratio , so that the burden of taxation on the slave states was also reduced . 
The Convention had unanimously accepted the principle that representation in the House of Representatives would be in proportion to the relative state populations . However , since slaves could not vote , leaders in slave states would thus have the benefit of increased representation in the House and the Electoral College . Delegates opposed to slavery proposed that only free inhabitants of each state be counted for apportionment purposes , while delegates supportive of slavery , on the other hand , opposed the proposal , wanting slaves to count in their actual numbers . The compromise that was finally agreed upon -- of counting `` all other persons '' as only three - fifths of their actual numbers -- reduced the representation of the slave states relative to the original proposals , but improved it over the Northern position . An inducement for slave states to accept the Compromise was its tie to taxation in the same ratio , so that the burden of taxation on the slave states was also reduced .
The Convention accepted that representation in the House of Representatives would be in proportion to the relative state populations. Delegates opposed to slavery proposed that only free inhabitants of each state be counted, while delegates supportive of slavery, opposed, wanting slaves to count. The compromise that was finally agreed upon - of counting ``all other persons'' as only three-fifths of their actual numbers reduced the representation of the slave states, but improved it over the Northern position.
The Convention had unanimously accepted the principle that representation in the House of Representatives would be in proportion to the relative state populations . Delegates opposed to slavery proposed that only free inhabitants of each state be counted for apportionment purposes , while delegates supportive of slavery , on the other hand , opposed the proposal , wanting slaves to count in their actual numbers . The compromise that was finally agreed upon -- of counting `` all other persons '' as only three - fifths of their actual numbers -- reduced the representation of the slave states relative to the original proposals , but improved it over the Northern position .