This page summarizes the tally of the first federal census, data that determined representation in Congress and proportional taxation of the states. Notice the five classifications: free white males sixteen or older, the same under sixteen, free white females, “all other free persons,” and slaves. Separating white males at sixteen provided a rough measure of military strength. U.S. Census Bureau.

CONNECTIONS: Why did the census separate males from females? Free from enslaved? Who might “all other free persons” include? Since women, children, and “all other free persons” counted for purposes of apportionment, could it be said that those groups were represented in the new government?