AP Government 1.5 - Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Virginia Plan

- Bicameral legislature; both houses are apportioned based on population

- Favored large states

- Stronger national government

New Jersey Plan

- Unicameral legislature; all states are equal

- Favored small states

- Merely wanted to amend the Articles of Confederation

Great Compromise

The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature. The House of Representations was based on population, and the Senate had 2 representatives per state.

Electoral College

A compromise between those who wanted Congress to vote for the president and those who wanted citizens to directly elect the president.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Each slave would count as 3/5 a person for the purpose of representation in the House of Representatives.

Importation of Slaves Compromise

Congress could not ban the importation of slaves for another 20 years from the ratification of the Constitution. The Southern states agreed to end the importation of slaves after 20 years if Northern states returned fugitive slaves.

Addition of the Bill of Rights

Anti-Federalists would only agree to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution with the inclusion of a Bill of Rights.

Amendment Process

- 2/3 vote in both Houses of Congress to propose and 3/4 of state legislatures to ratify.

- 2/3 of the states request a national convention to propose and 3/4 of state conventions ratify.