ACTIVITY
The Constitutional Convention
9.
Hout u,rculd Aou resolue the keg differences at the
Constitutional Conu ention?
People often disagree about what they want. But by compromising, they may reach
an agreement. Compromise is a means of settling conflicts. It means that both parties to
a dispute "meet each other half way" and give up a part of their original demands.
Compromise was crucial to the success of the convention that created the U.S. Constitution. At this convention in Philadelphia in 1787, delegates from twelve states agreed
that the Articles of Confederation had serious problems and needed revision. (Rhode
Island was the one state that did not send any delegates.) The delegates represented
different sections of the young nation, and each section wanted something different. How
to balance these conflicting ideas and interests was the delegates' greatest challenge. The
task of improving the government might have been abandoned, if it had not been for the
willingness of the delegates to compromise.
As one example of a political compromise, take the issue of whether a President should
be elected for a short term of two years (Plan A) or a long term of six years (Plan B).
One group favors Plan A while another group argues for Plan B. One way to compromise
on this issue would be to propose a presidential term lasting either three years, four years,
or ffve years. Another way of compromising would be to propose alternating terms. Elect
the ffrst President for a six-year term, the next President for a two-year term, the third
for six years, and so on.
What would gou have done about the issues if you had been a delegate to the convention? In this activity? your task is to propose compromises on the key issues of 1787.
ISSUE
l: Hou should, the states be represented in Cangress?
Opposing Vietas
The Virginia Plan
(Faaored by states with large populations, such as Virginia, PennsEloania,
Massachusetts)
Make representation proportional to the
population of the different states. Create
two houses of Congress, each of which
would have more members from larger
states than from smaller ones.
As a compromise,
36
I
propose that
Government and You
The New Jersey Plan
(Faoored bg states uith smaller populations, such as Delausare, Neto lersey,
Connecticut)
Let there be only one house of Congress.
Give all states equal representation in
this house by permitting each state to
cast only one vote on proposed laws.
ISSUE
2:
of a state?
Hous should slaaes be counted as part of the populntion q,nd. tqxabl.e propertA
Opposing Views
Plan A
(Farsored bg Southern states, such as
Georgia and South Carolina)
Count slaves as part of a state's population. Do not count slaves, however, for
purposes of collecting taxes from a state.
As a compromise,
/SSUE
I
Plan B
(Farsored bg Northern states, such as
Massachusetts and Neu; York)
Count slaves only as part of the taxable
wealth of a state. Since slaves are not citizens, do not count them as part of a
state's population.
propose that
3r
Should the national gooernment be gir>en the power to control interstate and
foreign commerce?
Opposing Vi.eus
Plan A
(Fat:ored by Southern states)
Plan B
(Faoored by Northern states)
No, do not allow federal laws to interfere with the South's profitable business
of selling crops to foreign buyers.
Yes, protect the industries of the North
by allowing Congress to collect a tariff
on imported goods (mainly manufactured goods from England).
Notet There are two kinds of taxes on goods being shipped from one country to another.
An import tax may be collected on goods coming from a foreign country. An erport tax
may be collected on goods leaving a home port for shipment to a foreign country. In
1787, Southern states opposed both kinds of taxes but felt an export tax would be worse
than an import tax.
As a compromise,
I
propose that
Foundations of Government
37
fhe histo ric compromrses
In 1787, every dispute was successfully resolved through
compromise. Consult your
textbook to ffnd out what compromises were proposed and accepted on all three issues.
Summarize the agreements here:
l.
Issue 1: Compromise on representation
2.
Issuir
2: Compromise on the counting of
3.
Issue
3: Compromise on trade
slaves
Current issues and compromises
Like the delegates who wrote the Constitution, lawmakers today still attempt to settle
their differences through compromise. In a newspaper, look for any issue that is currently
making headlines. No doubt, there are conflicting points of view about this issue. Locate
enough information about the issue to complete this chart:
The issue:
One point oJ oiew
Opposing point oJ aieu
Arguments used. to support this oiew
Arguments used to support this oieu
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Government and You
Do you think the issue could be settled through compromise?
l:If not,
why?
2. Are.there any
lf
yes,
issues on
If
so, how?
which it would be morally wrong to compromise?
identify one issue and explain why you think compromising on it would be wrong.
If no, explain why you think all issues may be compromised.
Foundations of
Government
39