Overview
This lecture covers the key compromises made at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, their impact on the U.S. Constitution, and how debates from that time continue today.
The Constitutional Convention
- The Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia Convention, 1787) aimed to fix the Articles of Confederation's weaknesses.
- Delegates decided to draft a new Constitution to strengthen the federal government.
Major Compromises at the Convention
- The Great Compromise combined the Virginia Plan (representation by population) and the New Jersey Plan (equal state representation).
- Resulted in a bicameral Congress: House of Representatives (by population) and Senate (2 per state).
- Electoral College Compromise determined that the president would be elected by electors equal to a state's Congressional delegation.
- Three-Fifths Compromise counted three-fifths of enslaved people for purposes of representation and taxation.
- Slave Trade Compromise delayed any ban on importing enslaved people for 20 years, until 1808.
Amending the Constitution
- Article V created a two-step process: proposal (by 2/3 Congress or state conventions), then ratification (by 3/4 of states).
- Amending the Constitution is intentionally easier than under the Articles of Confederation.
Ongoing Debates and Impact
- State versus federal power and individual rights were central at the Convention and remain relevant today.
- Example: The USA Patriot Act raised debates over federal power vs. Fourth Amendment rights after 9/11.
- Example: The No Child Left Behind Act sparked conflict over federal overreach into state-controlled education.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Constitutional Convention — 1787 meeting to revise the Articles; resulted in the U.S. Constitution.
- Great Compromise — Agreement for a two-house (bicameral) legislature, balancing big and small state interests.
- Three-Fifths Compromise — Agreement to count 3/5 of enslaved people for representation and taxation.
- Electoral College — System for electing the president using state-appointed electors.
- Article V — Section of the Constitution outlining the amendment process.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the main compromises in the U.S. Constitution for exam preparation.
- Study Article V's amendment process.
- Read up on the federal vs. state power debates that continue in current events.