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The Constitutional Convention (1787) Issues and Compromises wikipedia.org

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Page 1: The Constitutional Convention (1787) - Weeblydpacelli.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/9/2/7692587/convention... · 2019. 11. 24. · Constitutional Convention (1787) Issues and Compromises

The

Constitutional

Convention

(1787)

Issues and Compromises

wikipedia.org

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ISSUE: Articles of

Confederation

To scrap or not to scrap?

•Convention began on May 25, 1787 •Most who favored replacing the Articles with a stronger central government were already present at the convention. •Nationalists far outnumbered ‘republicans’ (proponents of the Articles). •Some proponents of the Articles were present, but few were considered credible. •Articles supporters lack urgency, underestimated the possible success of the convention.

RESULT? Nationalists outflanked their opponents and moved forward with plans to replace the Articles of Confederation.

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ISSUE: Congress

small states vs. large states AND slave states vs. free states

“Pennsylvania and Virginia wish to create a system in which they will have enormous and monstrous influence” –Gunner Bedford, Delaware

themuppetmindset.blogspot.com characters.wikia.com

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Resolution?

The Connecticut Compromise

Proposed by Roger Sherman and William Johnson:

Bicameral legislature

•House of Representatives – based on state population •Senate – based on equal representation (2 members per state)

“We are on the verge of dissolution, scarce held together by the strength of a hair.” –Oliver Ellsworth, Connecticut

EFFECT? Less populous states do have disproportionate influence in the Senate. The ten least populous states have 20% of the Senators but represent but 3% of the population.

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org

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ISSUE: Representation

Who to count, and how often?

Slave States: Smaller free population, wanted slaves to be counted fully toward representation in the House. Also, some wanted wealth to factored in.

Free States: Demanded that slaves not be counted at all toward representation in the House.

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL POWER

Both sides were looking toward the future and which

interests will have the most power in

Congress

THE CENSUS South: Anticipated larger growth, wanted count to be often North: Feared southern power, wanted count to be less often

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Resolution?

The 3/5 Compromise

Proposed by James Wilson and Charles Pinckney:

EFFECT? South would hold a disproportionate amount of power in Congress for years to come.

Of a state’s entire slave population, 3/5 would be

counted for free white representation in the House of Representatives. Also applies to

direct taxation.

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org

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Other Issues and Resolutions

Slave Trade

Fugitive Slaves

Commerce

Individual Rights

The importation of slaves would not be permitted to be abolished until 1808, protecting the practice for another 20 years.

Property in slaves was to be protected by federal law. No non-slave state could grant freedom to a slave escaping from a slave state.

Federal government has the power to regulate interstate commerce and to impose duties on imports.

Federal government prohibited from suspending habeas corpus; Congress and states prohibited from passing ex post facto laws and bills of attainder; preserves trial by jury in criminal cases; prohibits religious tests for holding office.