Plans at the Constitutional Convention American History I

Name Description Problem Compromise Virginia Plan Strong national government 3 branches Bicameral (two house legislature) Each state’s representation would be determined by by their population Less populated states did not agree with representation determined by a states’ population The Great Compromise

Name Description Problem Compromise New Jersey Plan Semi-strong national government 3 branches Unicameral (1 house) legislature Each state would have an equal number of representatives States with large populations did not agree to representation being equal in Congress The Great Compromise

Name Description Problem Compromise Great Compromise Strong national government 3 branches House of Representatives where each states’ representation would be determined by their population Senate where each state would have 2 representatives

Name Description Problem Compromise Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Northern states wanted the new government to regulate trade Southern states worried the new government would tax exports and limit the slave trade The government could regulate trade But could not limit the slave trade until 1808

Name Description Problem Compromise 3/5ths Compromise The southern states wanted to count their slaves as part of their states population to help determine representation in the House of Representatives The Northern states did not want slaves to count as part of a states population Each slave would count as 3/5ths of a person in determining a states population

Name Description Problem Compromise Electoral College Compromise Let the people choose the president Let state legislatures choose the president People would vote for ELECTORS The ELECTORS would then officially choose the president