Topic 1.4: Compromises at the Constitutional Convention

Virginia plan

A proposal favoring large states. Representation based on state population

Lead to a bicameral legislature with representation based on state Population

New Jersey plan

A proposal favoring small states. Led to a unique legislature with equal representation for each state. (Each state gets one vote)

The great compromise

The agreement creating a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and Senate with equal representation (2 per state).

Bicameral legislature

Two house legislative body consisting of house of rep and Senate in the US Congress

Representation in the house of rep

Apportioned based on each state population

Representation in the US Senate

Equal representation with two senators per state

Three-fifths compromise

An agreement counting the 3/5 of the enslaved population for both congressional representation in the House of Representatives and direct taxation

compromise on the importation of enslaved people

Congress could not ban the slave trade for 20 years (until 1808), after which it could be prohibited

Electoral college

A system used in the US elect the president and vice president. It is a process for each state gets a specific number of “ Electors” Based on its size, And these electors cast the actual votes to choose the President. There are 538 total electors in the electoral college.

Two stages required to amend the US Constitution

Proposal and ratification

Amendment process (Article V (5))

The two step process requiring a 2/3 vote in Congress (house of rep and senate) to propose an amendment and approval by ¾ (38 out of 50 states) of state legislature to ratify.

Congressional vote needed to propose a constitutional amendment

2/3 vote in both houses of Congress

Percentage of state required to ratify a constitutional Amendment

3/4 of the states (38 out of 50 states today)

Slave trade prohibition (1808)

A constitutional provision preventing Congress from outlawing the transatlantic slave trade for 20 years after ratification