Overview
This lecture discussed the key compromises made during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and explained how these compromises shaped the structure of the government.
The Constitutional Convention
- In 1787, 12 states sent representatives to amend the Articles of Confederation.
- James Madison led efforts to create a new constitution instead of merely amending the Articles.
Major Plans and Compromise
- The Virginia Plan called for a strong central government and a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.
- The New Jersey Plan wanted to keep a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.
- The Great (Connecticut) Compromise created a bicameral Congress: House of Representatives based on population, Senate with two senators per state.
- Tax and revenue bills had to originate in the House, appeasing large states.
Additional Constitutional Compromises
- The Electoral College emerged as a compromise between direct citizen election and Congressional selection of the President.
- The Three-Fifths Compromise counted every five slaves as three people for House representation, increasing Southern political power.
- Slave trade compromise delayed any ban on the importation of slaves for 20 years after ratification; Congress later banned it at the first opportunity.
Ratification and the Bill of Rights
- Anti-Federalists objected to the lack of a Bill of Rights.
- Federalists agreed to add amendments, resulting in the Bill of Rights.
Amending the Constitution
- Article 5 outlines amendment processes: either two-thirds of both houses of Congress or two-thirds of state legislatures can propose amendments, which must be ratified by three-fourths of states.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Articles of Confederation — the original constitution of the U.S. with a weak central government.
- Virginia Plan — proposal for legislative representation based on state population.
- New Jersey Plan — proposal for equal legislative representation for each state.
- Great Compromise — agreement for a bicameral Congress balancing representation by population and by state.
- Electoral College — body that formally elects the U.S. President.
- Three-Fifths Compromise — counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation.
- Bill of Rights — first ten amendments safeguarding individual liberties.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the structure and purpose of each constitutional compromise.
- Read Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution on the amendment process.