The Compromises The Compromises of the Constitutionof the Constitution

OrOr

Hey! Can’t we all just get Hey! Can’t we all just get along?!?along?!?

What does it mean to What does it mean to compromisecompromise

• Describe a time in your life when it Describe a time in your life when it was beneficial to compromise with was beneficial to compromise with someone else.someone else.

RepresentationRepresentation

IN IN CONGRESSCONGRESSCONGRESS MAKES CONGRESS MAKES

THE LAWS.THE LAWS. EVERY STATE WANTS A PIECE OF THE EVERY STATE WANTS A PIECE OF THE

ACTION. THEY GET IT BY SENDING ACTION. THEY GET IT BY SENDING REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS

WHO VOTE ON LAWS.WHO VOTE ON LAWS.BUT Who will have the loudest voice?BUT Who will have the loudest voice?

HERE’S THE ISSUE:HERE’S THE ISSUE:

The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan• Called for 3 branches and Called for 3 branches and

liked by the states with the liked by the states with the largest population.largest population.

• Representatives would be Representatives would be based on population.based on population.– Each Representative (and there Each Representative (and there

would be would be moremore for large states) for large states) would have a vote in new would have a vote in new legislature.legislature.

Based on this system, who would Based on this system, who would have the most representativeshave the most representatives

(and therefore the most power in (and therefore the most power in making laws)?making laws)?

The New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey Plan• Also called for 3 Also called for 3

branches, but favored branches, but favored by the small statesby the small states

• Each state would have Each state would have the same number of the same number of votes.votes.– Population would not Population would not

matter; all states have matter; all states have equal power when it equal power when it comes to law-making.comes to law-making.

– Based on this system, Based on this system, who would be the most who would be the most upset?upset?

PausePause

On your On your handout, answer handout, answer

the first two the first two questions.questions.

Next:Next:• Let’s get into groups of fourLet’s get into groups of four• I’ll give you paperI’ll give you paper• In your group, I will assign you to be a large or small In your group, I will assign you to be a large or small

state (ideally we’ll have 2 kids rep a small state, 2 kids a state (ideally we’ll have 2 kids rep a small state, 2 kids a large).large).

• As a group, and according to your role, you will try to As a group, and according to your role, you will try to reach a COMPROMISE on the issue of representationreach a COMPROMISE on the issue of representation

• How can you design Congress, the country’s law-making How can you design Congress, the country’s law-making body, so that ALL states feel they have a voice? body, so that ALL states feel they have a voice? Compromise!Compromise!

• Use both words and visuals to design your Congress Use both words and visuals to design your Congress (diagrams, illustrations, numbers etc)(diagrams, illustrations, numbers etc)

Let’s Share a Few…Let’s Share a Few…

• Who was closest to the Who was closest to the REAL REAL COMPROMISECOMPROMISE??

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise

• Proposed by Proposed by Roger ShermanRoger Sherman• Divide the new legislature into two Divide the new legislature into two

houseshouses– House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Elected according to population of stateElected according to population of state• Initially 1:40,000, now capped at 435Initially 1:40,000, now capped at 435

– SenateSenate• Equal representation, regardless of size for Equal representation, regardless of size for

all states: each state will send TWO people to all states: each state will send TWO people to the senatethe senate

CongressCongressThe Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise

SenateNew Jersey planEqual Representation, meaning 2 Senators from each state50 states=100 Senators

House of RepresentativesVirginia PlanRepresentation is based on population of each state.Also called proportional representation50 states=435 total representatives

Senate House

On your handout…On your handout…

• Answer questions 3 and 4Answer questions 3 and 4• Then flip it over; you’ll illustrate The Then flip it over; you’ll illustrate The

Great Compromise….but before you Great Compromise….but before you do, let’s have someone practice on do, let’s have someone practice on the white board. There are many the white board. There are many ways to do this!ways to do this!

Other sticking points:Other sticking points:

• How should slaves be counted in the How should slaves be counted in the population??? population???

• This is very important now since the number of This is very important now since the number of people each state sends to the House of people each state sends to the House of Representatives is based on population!!Representatives is based on population!!

• What do you think?? What would large states What do you think?? What would large states want? Small states? How can they want? Small states? How can they compromise? compromise?

• Talk at tables and we’ll share in a momentTalk at tables and we’ll share in a moment

The Three-Fifths The Three-Fifths CompromiseCompromise

• Decision: Three out of every five Decision: Three out of every five slaves would be counted in slaves would be counted in populationpopulation

3/53/5

On your handout…On your handout…

• Answer #6Answer #6