AP Government - Constitutional Convention Quiz

Connecticut Compromise

Suggests a bicameral legislature to please and benefit all states, not just large or small

Why is Bicameral Legislature Chosen

• history → parliament was bicameral and they were used to it

• it was an intra-check among the legislature

• it is a practical compromise combining elements of the New Jersey plan and the Virginia plan

New Jersey Plan

Number of representatives is equal for all states, benefitting small states

Virginia Plan

Number of representatives depends on population, benefitting large states

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slaves count for 3/5 of a person in taxation and representation

North’s Slave Suggestion

Slaves count for taxation, but not for representation

South’s Slave Suggestion

Slaves count for representation, but not for taxation

Interstate and Foreign Commerce Compromise

• legislature regulates interstate and foreign trade

• executive regulated treaties with foreign nations as long as 2/3 of the senate approves

• congress cannot impose export taxes

• congress can impose import taxes

North’s Trade Suggestion

Congress should regulate trade

South’s Trade Suggestion

Congress should not regulate trade (slaves)

Electoral College Compromise

Each state gets numbers of electors based on congressional representation (# of senators +# of representatives in the house)

Popular Sovereignty

People source power, rule by the people

Limited Government

No one is above the law and the bill of rights states governmental contraints

Separation of Powers

3 branches all have different jobs

Checks and Balances

Branches can check others

Judicial Review

Courts can determine how constitutional laws and actions are

Federalism

Federal government and states divide power

Principles of the Constitution

• popular sovereignty

• limited power

• checks and balances

• federalism

• separation of power

• judicial review