How did the Framers resolve the conflict over representation in Congress?
Bell work question: What conflicts do you think might exist between large and small states? Why?
What Important Conflicts Existed Between Large and Small States? One of the most important conflicts at the Philadelphia Convention was about representation. The Framers disagreed about how many representative each state should be able to send to Congress.
What Important Conflicts Existed Between Large and Small States? The conflict was between states with small populations and states with large populations. Small states – feared that the states with larger populations would control the national government. Large states believed that states with more people should have more votes.
What Important Conflicts Existed Between Large and Small States? Because they feared being outnumbered and outvoted, small states wanted each state to have the same number of representatives in Congress. This is called equal representation.
What Important Conflicts Existed Between Large and Small States? Those from larger states thought that equal representation was unfair. They wanted to base the number of representatives in Congress on the number of people living in the state. This is called proportional representation.
What was the Virginia Plan? Before the convention started, James Madison had drafted a plan for a national government that he called the Virginia Plan. It proposed a strong national government. Under the Virginia Plan, two governments would govern the people: state governments and the national government. Both would get their power from the people. (We now call this the federal system).
What was the Virginia Plan? Virginia Plan, continued… The national government would have the power to make and enforce its own laws. It would have the power to collect its own taxes. It divided the government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The national legislature would have two houses – the House of Representatives and the Senate. The number of representatives in each house would be proportional.
What was the Virginia Plan? There was considerable debate about the different parts of the Virginia Plan. The part that created the biggest problem was representation. Larger states favored proportional representation in both houses of Congress. Smaller states opposed this idea, believing that unless they had an equal voice in Congress, the larger states would dominate them. The debate stalled progress, leading the smaller states to ask for time to come up with an alternative to the Virginia Plan.
What was the New Jersey Plan? The smaller states’ suggestion was called the New Jersey Plan. It followed the framework of the Articles of Confederation.
What was the New Jersey Plan? Favored a weak national government. Called for only one house of Congress. Each state would have equal representation.
What was the New Jersey Plan? Under the New Jersey Plan, Congress would have the power to collect taxes on products and stamps. Congress could also levy fines and collect money from states if they refused to pay their taxes. Congress could regulate trade, both among the states and with other nations.
What was the New Jersey Plan? The New Jersey plan also proposed executive and judicial branches of government. Congress would appoint several people to serve in the executive branch, and the executive branch would then appoint members of a supreme court.
A Compromise is Needed The two plans were debated, but neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan solved the problem of representation. The convention finally decided to appoint a special committee to try to solve the conflict. One delegate from each state was asked to served on the committee.
What do you think should be included in the compromise? Why? Summary What do you think should be included in the compromise? Why?