Conflicts at the Constitutional Convention
Big States -vs- Small States
The Fight Over Representation in Congress
Virginia Plan
Both
 Plan supported by the big states
 Proposed by James Madison &
Edmund Randolph (both from
Virginia)
 Favored a Bicameral Congress
(bicameral = 2 Houses)


House of Representatives
Senate
 Wanted representation in both
houses of Congress be based on
population (proportional)
Executive
President
Legislative
“Congress”
o Both plans
called for a
strong national
government
New Jersey Plan
 Supported by the small states
 Proposed by William Paterson
(from New Jersey)
 Favored a Unicameral Congress
(unicameral = 1 House)
 Just Congress
o Both plans
 Wanted equal representation in
called for a
congress for all states no matter
government
their population/size. Proposed all
with 3 branches
states get one representative.
Judicial
Court System
House of
Senate
Representatives based on population
based on population
Congress
equal representation
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise solved the problem of Representation in Congress
•
•
•
•
There would be a strong nation government with 3 branches: Executive, Legislative, & Judicial
The Legislative Branch or “Congress” would be broken down into 2 houses: the House of Representatives & the Senate
House of Representatives: Representation would be based on population or proportional.
The House of Representatives had the power to develop all bills dealing with taxes.
Senate: Representation would be equal for all states. All states would get 2 representatives in the Senate.
The Senate had the power to accept, reject, or make changes to tax bills.
PROPORTIONAL
EQUAL