Constitutional Convention Issues
• Key Conflicts:
Large
vs
Small States
Slave
vs
Population
State
vs
Federal
Authority
– The debate between states; and the debate between
federal verses state governments
After 5 days of heated debate, the Articles cannot be fixed
> creating a new government
Constitutional Convention
Conflict
•
Issue? Representation in Congress
1. Virginia Plan – bicameral
legislation based on state’s
population (by James Madison)
•
Small states object?
2. New Jersey Plan – each state
has an equal vote (by William Paterson)
•
Large states object?
James Madison, known
as the Father of the
Constitution
3. Great Compromise – a bicameral
congress representing both small and large
states (by Roger Sherman)
•
A bill has to pass through both bodies to become law
•
•
Senate – two representatives from each state
House of Representatives – based on state’s
population
•
Problem? What about slaves?
p63
Three-Fifths Compromise
• Issue: counting slaves for representation in
Congress and taxes
– North: wanted slaves counted for taxation, but not representation
– South: wanted slaves for representation
• Compromise: count 3/5 (60%) of the slaves
for both taxation and representation
Slave Trade Compromise
• Issue: Congress and the power to regulate trade
– South afraid that they would lose the slave trade if Congress is given power
– North wanted Congress to be able to regulate all trade
• Compromise: Congress may regulate all trade
but promises to not regulate the slave trade for
at least 20 years (ended1808)
Left-Side
“States’ Rights”
Directions: use page p128-129 [174-175],
answer #1 Create a Chart activity.
Each box should include the following:
1. Identify the groups on each side of the issue
and indicate leading figures in each group
2. Summarize each side’s position, include
factual supporting evidence
3. Explain how the issue was resolved
“States’ Rights”
Directions: Complete #1 “Create a Chart” in the THINKING
CRITICALLY box . Use p128-129 [174-175]
1787= Constitutional Convention
1.
2.
3.
1832 = Nullification
Groups involved (include key
figures)
Summarize each side’s
position, using factual
supporting evidence
Explain how the issue was
resolved
1860 = South Carolina’s
1957 = Little Rock Central High
Secession
School