3.02 The Constitutional Convention
3.02 Analyze the conflicts that were addressed at the Constitutional Convention. I. Big States v. Small States
A. Structure and Representation in Government
1.
The Virginia Plan​
– Big States
a) Structure: 3 branches including a bicameral legislature
b) Representation: based on population
2.
The New Jersey Plan​
- Small States
a) Structure: unicameral congress
b) Representation: Equal; 1 vote per state
3.
The Connecticut Plan (compromise)
a) aka the Great Compromise
b) Bicameral legislature
(1) Senate with equal representation (2 votes per state)
(2) House of Representatives (population based)
II. Federal Power vs. States’ Rights
A. States’ Rights supporters wanted state legislatures to elect president to a short, limited term.
B. Federal Power Supporters wanted a direct election by “qualified” voters and unlimited terms
C. The Electoral Compromise
1.
Citizens vote; president elected indirectly by the electoral college
2.
4 year term, but no limit of terms
III. Northern v. Southern States
A. Legality of slavery would not be discussed because southern leaders threatened to walk out.
1.
The Fugitive Clause ​
– required free states to help slave states return slaves to their
masters
B. Counting slaves for representation
1.
The 3/5’s Compromise​
– allowed slave states to count 3 slaves for every 5 in
representation in the House and Electoral college
C. The Slave Trade
1.
The Commerce (slave trade) Compromise​
– congress is not allowed to eliminate
the slave trade or tax exports for 20 years.