1. Plans at the Constitutional Convention
American History I

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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