Presentation about some of the Compromises that went into the creation of the US Constitution. For use with American/US History.

1. “A Bundle of
Compromises”
Compromises in the Constitution
“The Americans” Section 5.2

2. Representation in
Congress
Large States: Virginia Plan
• Bicameral legislature
• Representation based on population
Small States: New Jersey Plan
• Unicameral legislature
• All states have equal representation
Compromise: Connecticut Plan – “The Great Compromise”
• Bicameral legislature
• The Upper House (Senate) would have equal
representation
• The Lower House (House of Representatives)
representation based on population

3. Slavery and
Representation
Free States (Northern States):
• Did not want to count slaves for the purpose of
representation in Congress
Slave States (Southern States):
• Wanted to count slaves as people only for the
purpose of representation in Congress
Compromise: “Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise”
• Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person for the
purpose of representation in the House of
Representatives

4. Slave Trade & Commerce
Compromise
Free States (Northern States):
• Wanted to abolish the slave trade
Slave States (Southern States):
• Wanted to continue importing slaves
• Argued that is benefitted the economies of the south
and north
Compromise: Slave Trade Compromise
• Slave trade continues for 20 years when Congress will
decide the issue again
• Each imported slave is taxed $10

5. Slave Trade & Commerce
Compromise
Taxing Exports:
• The fear was that a stronger central government
would tax exports
• Allowed for the taxation of Imports but not exports in
order to protect American Businesses

6. Choosing the President
One side:
• Some people did not believe the people were smart
enough to choose the President.
• President should be chosen by Congress
Other side:
• Some people believed that the President should be
directly elected by the people
Compromise: Electoral College
• The people will vote for an elector to vote for the
President for them

7. Ratification of the
Constitution
Federalists:
• Supported the Constitution
• Voiced their opinions in the Federalist Papers
Supported by:
• George Washington, James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton
• Urban Centers, merchants, skilled workers, laborers,
small states with weak economies
The Federalist:
• Series of 85 essays
• Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison,
John Jay
• Provided analysis and explanation of the
Constitution

8. Ratification of the
Constitution
Anti-Federalists (Democratic Republicans):
• Opposed the Constitution.
• Feared a strong central government would violate
people’s rights.
Supported by
• Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee
• Rural areas, large states with strong economies
Letters from the Federal Farmer
• Most likely written by Richard Henry Lee
• Argued for the protection of rights such as speech,
religion, and protections from unreasonable
searches and seizures

9. Ratification of the
Constitution
Compromise: The Bill of Rights
• Bill of Rights was added as the first 10 Amendments to
the Constitution to ensure the rights of the people will be
protected

10. Living Document
Loose Interpretation:
• Felt that the powers of the national government
ought to have the flexibility to meet new and
unexpected needs of the nation.
Strict Interpretation:
• Feared that any government that has the ability to
stretch the powers given to it has the ability to
become corrupt and too powerful
Compromise: The Elastic Clause
• The Constitution contains a section that allows it to
extend the powers of the national government to meet
unforeseen needs and events

11. Living Document
The Elastic Clause:
• Article I, section 8, paragraph 18
• gives Congress the ability to S T R E T C H
its powers to meet new needs without always
amending the Constitution
• gives government the ability to carry out its
implied powers
• Also called the “necessary and proper
clause”