Who was the key figure in proposing the Three-Fifths Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?

The Three-Fifths Compromise was primarily associated with James Madison, who played a crucial role in its proposal during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The compromise was a solution to the contentious issue of how to count enslaved people for the purposes of representation and taxation. Southern states wanted to count enslaved individuals fully to boost their representation in Congress, while Northern states opposed this idea, as enslaved people did not have rights and were not considered citizens.

Madison's proposal aimed to reach a middle ground by determining that three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for both representation and taxation. This compromise was significant in shaping the political landscape of the United States and reflected the deep divisions and debates regarding slavery at that time. The outcome of this compromise highlights Madison's critical involvement in resolving some of the most contentious issues facing the nation’s founding.