The document discusses several compromises that were made during the creation of the US Constitution. It describes debates between large and small states over representation in Congress, free and slave states over counting slaves for representation, and loose and strict constitutional interpreters over the flexibility of government powers. Compromises included the Connecticut Plan for bicameral legislature, the Three-Fifths Compromise for counting slaves, allowing the slave trade for 20 years, establishing the Electoral College, adding the Bill of Rights, and including the Elastic Clause.

1. “A Bundle of
Compromises”
Compromises in the Constitution
Chapter 3.2

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
• All money bills must begin in the House of

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
Free States (Northern States):
• Wanted to abolish the slave trade
• Wanted Congress to regulate foreign and interstate trade
Slave States (Southern States):
• Wanted to continue importing slaves
• Argued that is benefitted the economies of both the south
and north
• Did not want higher taxes if Congress regulated trade
• Did not want exports to be taxed
Compromise: Slave Trade Compromise
• Slave trade continues for 20 years when Congress will decide
the issue again
• Each imported slave is taxed $10
• Congress could regulate foreign & interstate trade, but could
not tax exports

5. 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 indirectly choose the President by voting
for an elector to vote for the President for them

6. Ratification of the
Constitution
Federalists:
• Supported the Constitution
• Voiced their opinions in the Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalists (Democratic Republicans):
• Opposed the Constitution.
• Feared a strong central government would violate
people’s rights.
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

7. Living Document
Loose Constructionists (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 Constructionists (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 (continued, next slide)

8. 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”