Compromises of the Constitution

What does it mean to compromise?

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1790

Conn.

Del

Georgia

Maryland

Mass

N. H.

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Penn.

R.I.

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Virg.

U.S. Population by State in 1790

Representation in Congress

• Most populous states favored this plan

• Edmund Randolph proposed it

• Said each states should get a certain number of representatives based on their population

• Least populated states favored this plan

• Proposed by William Patterson

• Each state would get an equal number of representatives in Congress

Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan

The Great Compromise

• Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed it

• Split Congress into two houses (bicameral)

• One house was to have equal representation for each state. (Senate)

• The other house would have representation based on population (House of Representatives)

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Geor. M.D. N.C S.C. Virg.

Total population

Total populationwithout slaves

Comparative Population Counts of Southern States in 1790

Counting Slaves

• Southern states had a large population of slaves

• They wanted to count slaves for representation, but not taxation.

• Northern states had a small population of slaves

• They wanted to count slaves for taxation, but not representation.

Under the new Constitution, the government needed to know a state’s population to determine the

number of representatives a state would receive and the amount of taxes to charge.

3/5ths Compromise

• Slaves would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for the purpose of representation and of taxation

This is the only plantation in the nation without

representation!

Slavery

Slavery

• North wanted Congress to regulate trade.

• The South feared the fed would tax it’s exports and end the slave trade.

• Some Northerners felt runaway slaves should be free if they lives in a free state.

• Southern slave owners felt that their property should be returned like any other property.

Runaway Slaves Slave trade

Commerce Compromise

• Congress was given the right to regulate interstate (between states) and foreign commerce (trade)

• Congress was also given the power to levy tariffs on imports. (Goods coming into U.S.)

• Congress could not levy exports• Congress couldn’t restrict slave trade until 1808. • Runaway slaves would be sent back to their owners