Great Compromise H-SS- 11.1.2-Students will: Analyze the ideological origins of the American Revolution Analyze the Founding Fathers’ philosophy of divinely bestowed unalienable natural rights Analyze the debates on the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and the addition of the Bill of Rights

James Madison- “Father of the Constitution”

Issues Large State vs. Small State Problem: Large states felt that it was unfair that they would have the same political power as a small state. Ex: Virginia 692,000 citizens Delaware 59,000 citizens Small states did not want to join if they would have little or no power

Small State or New Jersey Plan Wanted to keep government created by the Articles, but give it more power Liked how each state had equal power regardless of its size and population

James Madison- Virginia (Large State) Plan Separation of Powers- power divided so that no one person or group can become too powerful Checks and Balances- Each branch can check the power of the other two Executive President-enforces laws Judicial Supreme Court- interprets laws Legislative Congress-enacts laws

House of Representatives Great Compromise – A two house Congress was approved. The House of Representatives based on population- citizens elect the members. The Senate is comprised of two members from each state-State legislators elected members. Congress House of Representatives Senate Reflects Small State Plan-each state has 2 Senators Reflects Large State Plan-based on population

3/5’s Compromise North vs. South- Southern states had large slave populations and wanted them counted as citizens to determine their state populations for seats in the House. North saw them not as free citizens Solution- Slave states count slaves and get 3/5’s of the total. North wanted south in Union felt slavery would go away on its own