The Great Compromise: Ideas, Interests, and the Politics of Constitution Making

A series of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Great Compromise and the politics of Constitution making.

The Great Compromise

A pivotal agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, balancing representation for both small and large states.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature consisting of two chambers, in the case of the United States, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Small-State Delegates

Delegates from states with smaller populations who advocated for equal representation regardless of population size in the Senate.

Proportional Representation

A system in which representatives are allocated based on the population of each state, favored by larger states.

Federal Convention

The gathering that took place in 1787 to draft the Constitution of the United States.

James Madison's Theory of the Extended Republic

A theory positing that a large republic would be able to control factions and prevent the tyranny of the majority.

Equal Suffrage

The principle that all states would have the same voting power in one chamber of the legislature, a key demand of smaller states.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation based on population, favoring large states.

New Jersey Plan

An alternative proposal that called for each state to have one vote, regardless of its size, representing small states' interests.

Sectionalism

Divisions and conflicts arising between different regions of the country, emphasizing the North-South divide over issues such as slavery.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that determined that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

Governing Principles of the Constitution

The fundamental ideas that underpin the Constitution, including checks and balances, separation of powers, and federalism.

Concessions

Compromises made between opposing parties during the Constitutional Convention to reach agreements on contentious issues.

Consensus Building

The process of reaching agreement among various parties during the Constitutional Convention, often through negotiation.

Delegates' Interests

The various goals and concerns of delegates at the convention that influenced their positions on representation and governance.

The Role of Compromise in Politics

The necessity of finding middle ground in political negotiations, exemplified in the crafting of the Constitution.