Unit Two – Lesson Ten

Why was Representation a major issue at the Philadelphia

Convention

The New Jersey Plan Congress would be unicameral (like in the A of C)

◦ Power to levy import taxes and a stamp tax to raise money. They also would have to power to compel states to pay.

◦ Power to regulate trade between the states and with other nations◦ Power to make laws and treaties and no state could make laws

contrary to them Executive Branch made up of several people

appointed by Congress. They would have power to administer national laws, appoint exec. officials, and direct military operations

A Supreme Court would be appointed by the Executive Branch. It would have the power to decide cases involving treaties, trade between states or with other nations, and collection of taxes

The national government would represent the states, not the people

The PreambleWe the people (of the United

States) in order to form a more perfect union establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America

Quick ReviewName 2 rules of the Philadelphia

Convention (AKA Constitutional Convention)

The Virginian Plan◦How did it favor larger states◦What were 3 characteristics of the plan

The New Jersey Plan◦How did it favor smaller states◦What were 3 characteristics of the plan

What were the disagreements about Representation?

Bicameral was agreed upon – less likely to abuse their power◦ By Population (j.madison) – believed each vote should count

equally. If you have more people, you should have more of a vote/impact.

◦ Equal Representation – the US was a confederation of different states. Each should have an equal say in the Union’s actions.

The positions of delegates often based on the size of state they represented.◦ Big states favored representation based on population◦ Small states favored equal representation

Delegates agreed if Congress was to be bicameral, the House should be based on population. The issue became the Senate

Small states came up with an alternate plan

Discussion of the plansVirginian Plan

◦ supported by larger states (based on population)

◦ put the power in the hands of qualified eliteNew Jersey Plan

◦ supported by smaller states (based on equality of states)

◦ put the power in the hands of elected repsHuge debate about who should control the

power of the governmentFailure of either plan to get enough support

brought the convention to an impasseA special committee was formed with one

delegate from each stateJames Madison negotiated a compromise

between the feuding sides

The Great CompromiseHouse of Representatives would be

based on population◦ Power to develop all bills for taxation and

government spendingThe Senate would be equal in

representation◦ 2 Senators per state, appointed by the state

legislatures. (this supported the concept that the Senate represented the States not the people)

Each side gained a strong-hold in the compromise and gave up a little as well (compromise)

The Great Compromise passed on the first vote

Other Compromises3/5ths Compromise

◦ Representation: free/slave◦ Southern States/Northern States◦ Property owners/non-owners◦ Census for apportionment every 10 years

Economic Compromises◦ North – President makes treaties◦ South – Senate must ratify treaties◦ North – Congress can regulate trade ◦ South – No duties on trade

New States◦ North/South◦ East/West◦ Northwest Ordinance mandated new states on equal

Review What were the major arguments about

representation in Congress? How did the Virginia and New Jersey Plans differ?

What were the key elements of the Great Compromise? How did it address the problems of representation?

How did the 3/5ths compromise help settle the dispute about representation?

How, if at all, has equal representation in the Senate affected the principle of majority rule?