The Conflict between the States and the creation of Congress

Chapters 13, 14, and 15

Chapter 13 Overview

● Representation.

● What was the Virginia Plan.○ Proportional Representation.

● What was the New Jersey Plan.○ Equal Representation.

● The Great Compromise.

Representation

The biggest issue that the Framers came across when forming a new government was the issue of representation.

The states and their delegates had differing views on the best ways to represent their states.

The Virginia Plan

● The Virginia Plan was proposed by James Madison.

● It was based off of Proportional Representation.○ There would be two houses and the number of

representatives in each house would be proportional.

● Larger states favored the Virginia Plan while smaller states tried to come up with an alternative.

James Madison

The New Jersey Plan

● William Paterson of New Jersey led the small states to an alternative.

● It was based off of Equal Representation.○ Only one house of Congress and each state would

have the same number of representatives.

● States that supported the Virginia Plan could not support the New Jersey Plan. The tension between both parties almost resulted in some delegates quitting and leaving the convention.

William Paterson

● The disagreements got so bad that a special committee was appointed to solve the problem of representation.○ One delegate from each state was selected to serve

on the committee.

● What the committee came up with solution that is now known as the Great Compromise.

The Solution

The Great Compromise

It had three parts...1. Congress would have two houses, the

Senate and The House of Representatives.2. Membership in the House would be based

on Proportional Representation and have the power to create bills dealing with taxes and spending.

3. Membership in the Senate would be based on Equal Representation. They can accept, reject, or modify bills involving taxes and spending.

The Great Compromise (Cont.)

● Each side gave a little and got a little in the compromise.

● The small states got the equal representation in the Senate.

● The large states got proportional representation in the House.

● The House and the Senate had checks and balances against each other.

● The Great Compromise passed by one vote!

Congress

Chapter 14 Overview

● The Economies of the North and the South.○ Industrial Economies vs. Agrarian Economies.○ Why did states disagree on Tariffs?○ Why did states disagree on Slavery?○ Northern position vs. Southern Position.

● A Compromise is Formed.○ Articles added to the Constitution to create a

compromise.● Key Terms: Tariff, Fugitive Slave Clause,

and 3/5 Clause.

Economies of the North and the South

● The economies of the North and the South were different and focused on different means to achieve success.

Question: Which region was more Agrarian and which region was Industrial?

Answer: The South was Agrarian and the North was Industrial.

Tariffs

● A tariff is a tax on goods and products imported from other nations.

● Nations can use protective tariffs in order to raise the prices of imported goods to protect local farmers and businesses.○ This protected local business and farming from

outside competition. ○ Product ca become more expensive in some cases.

Slavery

● Slavery was in the colonies as soon as people began to settle in the New World.

● Northern states began to end the practice of Slavery due to industrialization.

● Southern states were financially dependant

on Slavery and needed it to make a living farming cash crops.

Northern vs. Southern Position

North South

Industrial Society. Agrarian Society.

Tariffs necessary for business. Tariffs increase the costs of goods.

National Government should have power to control trade.

National Government should not have power to control trade.

Northern States have begun to put an end to the practice of slavery in their States.

Southern States were financially dependant on slavery.

Northern Framers wanted one country that did not allow Slavery to continue.

Southern Framers would not be a part of any nation that did not allow slavery.

The Compromise for Slavery and Tariffs

● Sections were added to the constitution that facilitated a compromise between the Northern and Southern States on the issues of slavery and tariffs.

What they decided to do with Tariffs

● Congress will have the power to...○ Collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Exercises.○ Regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, among

the States, and with the Indian Tribes.

● The South agreed to this because they got what they wanted in return.

What they decided to do with Slavery

● The national government would not end the importation of slaves into the United States of America before 1808.

● The three-fifths clause was added to the constitution.○ It was determined that Free persons, indentured

servants, and three-fifths of all other persons should be counted towards the House of Representation and when collecting direct taxes from the states.

○ Indians were excluded as they were not a part of the United States of America.

What they decided to do with Slavery(Cont.)

● Fugitive Slave Clause: Persons who escaped from slavery to a state that does not permit slavery shall be returned to slavery and their masters.

● Many delegates did not agree with the notion

of slavery in both the North and the South but adding this clause was necessary to obtain support from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Without them the Constitution would not have the necessay support to pass.