Match the appropriate constitutional convention plan with its features – The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal event in the history of the United States. During this convention, delegates from the thirteen original colonies debated and crafted the U.S. Constitution, the supreme law of the land. Several plans were proposed at the convention, each with its own unique features and strengths.
Understanding these plans is crucial for comprehending the development of the U.S. Constitution.
This comprehensive guide provides an overview of the major constitutional convention plans, including the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Connecticut Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, and Electoral College. We will explore their key features, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their impact on the final shape of the Constitution.
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, advocated for a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It envisioned a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation based on population.
Key Features:
- Three branches of government: legislative, executive, judicial
- Bicameral legislature with proportional representation
- Strong national government with implied powers
Strengths:, Match the appropriate constitutional convention plan with its features
- Created a strong, efficient national government
- Protected the rights of individuals and minorities
- Established a system of checks and balances
Weaknesses:
- Gave too much power to the federal government
- Did not adequately protect the rights of states
- Did not address the issue of slavery
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, favored a weak national government with limited powers. It called for a unicameral legislature, with equal representation for all states.
Key Features:
- Weak national government with limited powers
- Unicameral legislature with equal representation
- States retained most of their sovereignty
Comparison to Virginia Plan:
- Government strength:New Jersey Plan advocated for a weaker government than the Virginia Plan.
- Legislature structure:New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature, while the Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature.
- State power:New Jersey Plan sought to preserve state power, while the Virginia Plan favored a stronger national government.
Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)
The Connecticut Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, resolved the impasse between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. It created a bicameral legislature, with the Senate representing states equally and the House of Representatives representing population.
Key Provisions:
- Bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House
- Three-fifths of slaves counted for representation and taxation
- Congress given power to regulate interstate commerce
Impact:
- Forged a compromise between large and small states
- Established the structure of the US Congress
- Allowed for the ratification of the Constitution
Three-Fifths Compromise: Match The Appropriate Constitutional Convention Plan With Its Features
The Three-Fifths Compromise, a provision of the Connecticut Compromise, addressed the issue of slavery at the Constitutional Convention. It counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for purposes of representation and taxation.
Terms and Implications:
- Three-fifths of slaves counted for both representation and taxation
- Increased the political power of slave states
- Perpetuated the institution of slavery
Ethical and Political Debates:
- Moral objections:Critics argued that the compromise was immoral and unjust, as it counted enslaved individuals as less than full persons.
- Political expediency:Supporters defended the compromise as a necessary political expedient to secure the ratification of the Constitution and preserve the Union.
Electoral College
The Electoral College is a body of electors chosen by the people of each state, who in turn elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
Purpose and Structure:
- Elects the President and Vice President
- Each state has a number of electors equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress
- The candidate who wins the most electoral votes becomes President
Advantages:
- Protects the interests of small states
- Provides a buffer between the people and the presidency
- Makes it more difficult for a candidate to win the presidency without broad support
Disadvantages:
- Can result in a candidate winning the popular vote but losing the electoral vote
- Disproportionately represents rural areas
- Can be subject to political manipulation
Helpful Answers
What was the purpose of the Virginia Plan?
The Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also called for proportional representation in Congress based on population.
What were the key features of the New Jersey Plan?
The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state. It also sought to preserve state sovereignty and limit the powers of the central government.
How did the Connecticut Compromise resolve the debate between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
The Connecticut Compromise created a bicameral legislature with the Senate representing states equally and the House of Representatives based on population. This compromise satisfied both large and small states.
