From Chaos to Constitution: The Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia, 1787)

For Q2 for Mr. Ippolito’s History Class At Rio Norte Junior High School

The Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature: House by population, Senate with equal votes. Balanced power between large and small states.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted 3 out of every 5 enslaved people for population and taxation. Reflected

tensions between North and South over representation and slavery.

The Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could not ban the international slave trade until 1808, showing how the Framers prioritized unity over moral resolution.

The Fugitive Slave Clause

Required escaped enslaved people to be returned to their enslavers, even from states where slavery was outlawed.

How did the delegates balance power between large and small states?

They did it with the Great Compromise, which said seats are based on population in the House of Representatives and every state got two senators for the Senate.

★ How did the Constitution deal with slavery, and how did it fail to deal with it? Think about the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Slave Trade Compromise, the Fugitive Slave Clause, and what the Founders left unresolved. Why do you think the words "slave" and "slavery" never appear in the Constitution?

They dealt with slavery with the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Slave Trade Compromise , and the Fugitive Slave Clause. It failed to deal with slaves are being counted, but aren’t free, they continued to let states bring slaves in from other countries until 1808, and slave catchers illegally kidnapped over a thousand free black people and forced them into slavery. The word “slave” was never in the Constitution because they were embarrassed because they knew slavery was wrong, but still let it happen.

What key issues did the Founders leave unresolved?

The Three-Fifths Compromise, The Slave Trade Compromise, and The Fugitive Slave Clause because instead of getting rid of slavery they allowed it and made rules for it.

Why was secrecy important at the Convention?

It was important because they wanted to speak freely, debate fiercely, and compromise often without the public pressuring them.