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Questions and Answers
What was the original purpose of the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
What was the original purpose of the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
The original purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation; the central government was weak and insufficient to the social, diplomatic, and economic problems.
What qualifications did the Convention's delegates possess?
What qualifications did the Convention's delegates possess?
One-third of the delegates had served in the Continental army, eight signed the Declaration of Independence, and most had experience in colonial, state, or local governments.
How did the Virginia Plan aim to improve the structure of the national government?
How did the Virginia Plan aim to improve the structure of the national government?
The Virginia Plan proposed a central government divided into 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
How did supporters of the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan differ?
How did supporters of the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan differ?
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What were the key issues involved in the compromises made over slavery?
What were the key issues involved in the compromises made over slavery?
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What might have happened if the delegates were not able to agree to the terms of the Great Compromise?
What might have happened if the delegates were not able to agree to the terms of the Great Compromise?
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Study Notes
Constitutional Convention Overview
- The 1787 Constitutional Convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation due to weak central governance.
- A unanimous consensus determined that the Articles could not address the nation's social, diplomatic, and economic challenges.
Delegates' Qualifications
- One-third of the delegates had prior military experience with the Continental Army.
- Eight delegates had signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Most delegates had governmental experience at various levels (colonial, state, local).
- The age of delegates ranged from 26 to 81, collectively known as the Framers of the Constitution.
Virginia Plan
- Proposed division of the national government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
- Suggested a strong national government with powers to create laws, levying taxes, and regulating interstate commerce.
- Intended to empower the central government to override state laws, contrasting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Virginia vs. New Jersey Plan
- Supporters of the Virginia Plan advocated for representation based on population size, favoring larger states.
- Supporters of the New Jersey Plan pushed for equal representation for all states, regardless of size, favoring smaller states.
Compromises on Slavery
- Key issues included whether enslaved individuals should be counted in state populations and debates over the continuation of the slave trade.
- These compromises highlighted the varying regional interests and ethical considerations regarding slavery.
Great Compromise Considerations
- Failure to reach the Great Compromise could have resulted in disproportionate representation for smaller states.
- Larger states would likely dominate decision-making, leading to imbalances in governmental authority and representation.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key points from Chapter 2, Section 4 of U.S. Government. This quiz focuses on the original purpose of the 1787 Constitutional Convention and the qualifications needed for delegates. Enhance your understanding of early American governance and the formation of the Constitution.
