The Founding Fathers and the Great Compromise

The Founding Fathers and the Great Compromise

• Delegates to the Constitutional Convention debated the balance of power between the national government and individual states.
• Key issue: how to represent states in the new Congress, considering population differences.
• Two competing plans emerged:
  • Virginia Plan: Favored larger states, proposing a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.
  • New Jersey Plan: Supported smaller states, advocating for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
• The Great Compromise resolved the conflict:
  • Created a bicameral Congress:
    • The Senate: provides equal representation for each state, regardless of size.
    • The House of Representatives: representation based on state population.

Ratification and the Constitution

• The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787.
• Ratification by nine out of thirteen states was required for the Constitution to become law.
• Delaware was the first state to ratify, followed by Pennsylvania.
• Some opposed ratification, fearing the loss of state power.
• Influential figures like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton advocated for ratification.
  • They used public arguments and publications like The Federalist Papers to sway public opinion.
• By 1790, all thirteen colonies had ratified the Constitution, establishing them as states.

The Great Compromise

• Delegates disagreed on the power relationship between national and state governments
• Different population sizes between states led to a debate regarding representation
• The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population
• The New Jersey Plan favored a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state
• The Great Compromise addressed the concerns of both plans, establishing a bicameral Congress
• The Senate has equal representation for each state, regardless of population
• The House of Representatives has representation based on state population

Ratification of the Constitution

• 39 delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787
• Nine states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to become law
• Delaware was the first state to ratify
• Hesitation existed regarding the Constitution due to concerns about surrendering state power
• Influential figures like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington supported the Constitution, swaying public opinion
• The Federalist Papers, written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, advocated for ratification
• All thirteen colonies ratified the Constitution by 1790, becoming states