Compromises of the
Constitutional
Convention
Essential Skill:
1) State implications and consequences
2) Examine information from more than one perspective
Great Compromise / Connecticut Compromise
Conflict between small & large states over voting in Congress
NJ Plan: all states have equal vote (similar to AOC)
VA Plan: larger states have more votes
THE SOLUTION:
Bicameral Congress (two houses)
One house has # representatives based on population of state (House of
Representatives)
One house has equal representation for every state (Senate = 2 senators
per state)
Three-Fifths Compromise
Conflict b/w S. slave states and N. states – Should slaves count
for # representatives in Congress? Should slaves count for $
taxes paid?
WHAT HAPPENED?
The word “slave” was never used in the Constitution.
They counted slaves as “three fifths of all other persons” for
amount of taxes paid and number of representatives in the
House.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Conflict b/w S. slave states and N. states over regulating commerce and
slavery
WHAT HAPPENED?  3-part compromise:
S. states agreed to give Congress Power to Regulate Commerce (Trade)
N. states agreed not to ban “importation of such persons” until 1808
N. states agreed to NO Taxes on Exports
Other Compromises
EXECUTIVE Compromise:
The problem: Should there be one Chief Executive or a Committee of
Chief Exec’s?
They chose ONE (the President)
ELECTORAL COLLEGE Compromise:
The problem:
Should Congress or the citizens elect the President?
They let STATE legislatures choose the Electors of the President (gave
states more power over the vote)