Conflicts and Compromises at Constitutional Convention

Proposals: VA plan and NJ plan

3 branches, rep in house and senate would be based on population of the state. Large states.

One house in Legislative branch based on equal rep. Small States

House: members are elected by the people, and the number of representatives is based on the population of each state (proportional representation). Senate: State Legislatures select members. Each state has two senators (equal representation)

Slavery gradually being abolished, Since slave could not vote they should not count in determining a state's population.

Slavery was to remain, so slaves would be counted as a full person when the census was taken.

3/5th compromise

National government would not interfere with slavery until 1808, Each slave would count for 3/5 of a person when determining the states population; the north would enforce fugitive slave laws.

Chosen by congress, chosen by people

Electoral College

Each state will have the same number of electors that they have members in congress; whoever wins the popular vote in each state wins all of the states electors; writers of the Constitution felt that the common people could not be trusted to elect the president.