The Compromising on a Constitution
Chapter 5, Section 1
Virginia Plan
• James Madison from Virginia– Strong national govt.–Representations in
Congress should be based on Population–More votes for
larger states
New Jersey Plan• William Paterson from
New Jersey– States should have the
same number of Representation in Congress
– One vote each state– Congress would have
the power to set taxes and regulate trade
Roger Sherman: Great Compromise• Congress will have two
houses (Bi-Cameral)• 1st Senate–Have equal
representation for all states (2 Senators)
• 2nd The House of Representatives– Based on Population
How do we count Slaves in Population?
• Northern states– Didn’t want to
count slaves• Southern States–Wanted to Count
slaves as people for larger number of seats in the House of Representatives
Compromise: 3/5 Compromise
• For every 5 slaves –Will be counted
as 3 people when determining representation
Agricultural / Manufacturing
North wanted: • Congress to regulate
trade between states
South Feared: • Congress would tax
exports (goods sold to other countries)
• Might stop slave trade in nation
Trade Compromise
South Agreed:• Congress could regulate
trade between states and countries
North Agreed: • Not to ban slavery
before 1808 (20 yrs)
Electing a President
• Aristocrats– Common man cannot be
trusted– Educational men should
pick leaders
• Democrats– President and Congress
should be elected by people
Compromise: Electoral College
• Voters will choose electors who will vote for candidate for President and Vice President
Electoral College
• Each state would have electors equaling the state’s senators and representatives in Congress
• Electors would vote for President
The Framers
• Delegates were called, Framers–Because they
framed or shaped our govt.