Unit 3: What happened at the
Philadelphia Convention?
Lesson 13
How did the Framers resolve the conflict about
representation in Congress?
Learning Targets
At the conclusion of this lesson, you should be able to
1. Explain why the states argued about
representation in Congress
2. Explain how the conflict about
representation was resolved
3. Explain the concepts of equal and
proportional representation
Terms to Understand:
Equal representation
Great Compromise – (Connecticut Compromise)
New Jersey Plan – William Paterson
Proportional representation
Virginia Plan – James Madison
1.
What important conflict existed between
the large and small states?
• What was the most important conflict?
_________________________________
• Small States
– Feared large states would __________ the national
government
– Avoid problem: _____________________________
• EQUAL REPRESENTATION
• Large States
– Feared equal representation would be __________
– More people
=
more votes
• PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
2.
What was the Virginia Plan? Cont…
1. ______________ National
government
2. Two government: state and
national = ____________________
3. National government: _______ to
make and enforce its own laws and
collect its own taxes
2.
What was the Virginia Plan?
4. Divided the government:
3 __________________
Legislative, executive, and judicial branches
5. Nat. Legislature – 2 houses:
___________________________________
6. Each house:
__________________________________
3.
What was the New Jersey Plan? Cont…
1. Favored a ___________ National
government
2. Only 1 House ____________________
3. Each state = ______________________
3.
What was the New Jersey Plan?
4. Congress would have the
_________ to collect taxes/levy
fines/collect money from the states
5. Executive and Judicial branches
2_____________________
4.
How did the Great Compromise solve the
problem of representation? {Passed by ONE vote}
1. 2 Houses ___________________
______________________________
2. House –
_____________________________
3. Senate – _____ _______________
How many Senators do we have
and find out who represents our
state in the U.S. Senate.
How many Representatives do we
have and find out who represents
our state in the House of
Representatives.
Solve the Problem: Which method of
representation might better serve the states?
Page 115
1. Work with a partner.
2. Examine the population figures in the
box.
3. Discuss the questions with your
partner.
4. After your discussion, explain your
ideas to the class
LESSON REVIEW
1.
What is the difference between equal
representation and proportional representation?
• A system of equal representation
would give each state the same
number of representatives in Congress
• System of proportional representation,
the population of each state would
determine the number of
representatives to Congress
1. Why did the small states want equal
representation? Cont…
{7 small states vs. 6 large states}
The small states were afraid that
states with larger populations
would be able to control the
decisions made in Congress.
1. Why did the large states want proportional
representation? Cont…
{7 small states vs. 6 large states}
The large states supported proportional
representation because they had large
populations and believed that they should have
more power to control decisions in Congress.
Large states opposed equal representation
because there were seven small states and six
large states. A system of equal representation
would tip the balance of power in Congress to
the small states.
2.
What was the Virginia Plan?
• Drafted by James Madison. (Larger states)
• Called for a strong national government and state
governments. All would derive their powers from
the people. This is called a federal system.
• Give the national government the power to make
and enforce its own laws and the power to collect
its own taxes.
• Government would be divided into the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches.
– The legislature would have two houses: the
House of Representatives and the Senate.
– Each house would have representatives chosen
on the basis of proportional representation.
3.
What was the New Jersey Plan?
• William Paterson led the smaller states
• Favored a weak national government.
• One house of Congress where each state would
have equal representation.
• Congress would have the power to collect taxes on
products and stamps, levy fines, and collect money
from the states if they refused to pay their taxes;
regulate trade among the states and with other
nations; to appoint people to serve in the executive
branch.
– The executive branch would appoint members to
a U.S. Supreme Court.
4.
How did the Great Compromise solve the
conflict about representation?
• The Great Compromise provided two
houses:
–the Senate, with equal representation
–the House, with proportional
representation.
Specific powers were given to each house,
which served to check the power of the
other.
4. What did the small states and the large states
gain as a result of the Great Compromise? Cont…
• The small states gained equal representation in
the Senate
• the large states gained proportional
representation in the House
• The House was given important powers related
to taxing and spending. This benefited the
large states.
• However, small states could check the power of
large states in the Senate by changing or
rejecting taxation and spending bills passed in
the House.
Learning Targets
At the conclusion of this lesson, you should be able to
1. Explain why the states argued about
representation in Congress
2. Explain how the conflict about
representation was resolved
3. Explain the concepts of equal and
proportional representation
Terms to Understand:
Equal representation
Great Compromise – (Connecticut Compromise)
New Jersey Plan – William Paterson
Proportional representation
Virginia Plan – James Madison