Compromises of the Constitutional Convention

1. Compromises of the Constitutional Convention Essential Skill: State implications and consequences Examine information from more than one perspective

2. Great Compromise / Connecticut Compromise • Conflict between small & large states over voting in Congress • NJ Plan: all states have equal vote (similar to AOC) • VA Plan: larger states have more votes • THE SOLUTION: • Bicameral Congress (two houses) • One house has # representatives based on population of state (House of Representatives) • One house has equal representation for every state (Senate = 2 senators per state)

3. Three-Fifths Compromise • Conflict b/w S. slave states and N. states – Should slaves count for # representatives in Congress? Should slaves count for $ taxes paid? • WHAT HAPPENED? • The word “slave” was never used in the Constitution. • They counted slaves as “three fifths of all other persons” for amount of taxes paid and number of representatives in the House.

4. Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise • Conflict b/w S. slave states and N. states over regulating commerce and slavery • WHAT HAPPENED?  3-part compromise: • S. states agreed to give Congress Power to Regulate Commerce (Trade) • N. states agreed not to ban “importation of such persons” until 1808 • N. states agreed to NO Taxes on Exports

5. Other Compromises • EXECUTIVE Compromise: • The problem: Should there be one Chief Executive or a Committee of Chief Exec’s? • They chose ONE (the President) • ELECTORAL COLLEGE Compromise: • The problem: • Should Congress or the citizens elect the President? • They let STATE legislatures choose the Electors of the President (gave states more power over the vote)