Compromise to Create the Constitution

The Legislature

• Virginia Plan

  • Representation was based on higher population yielded more representation

  • The role of the national government can legislate for states and veto state laws

• New Jersey Plan

  • Representation was based on each state being equally represented

  • The role of the national government can provide defense but does not override state authority.

The “Great Compromise”

• Sometimes called the Connecticut Compromise because it was proposed by Roger Sherman

• Bicameral Legislature

  • House of Representatives

    • Lower house based on population and elected directly by the people

  • U.S. Senate

    • Upper house would have two senators from each state elected by state legislatures

Three-Fifths Compromise

• States in the North and in the South could not agree on how slaves would be counted in the population.

• It was decided that every 5 slaves would count as 3 people for taxation and representation purposes.

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

• Northern states wanted to ban the importation of slaves or apply export taxes. Southern states refused both proposals.

• An agreement banned export taxes in the Constitution, but allowed slave imports to be banned after 20 years.

Electoral College Compromise

• Numerous plans for electing president were proposed.

  • One 7 year term, directly elected

  • Unlimited Terms, appointed by Congress

• The Framers feared the public selecting “demagogues” for president

• The Electoral College acts as an in-between body that elects the president based on preferences of the states, rather than direct public vote.