Big Vs Small: The Constitution's Founding Debate

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws, guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens. The founding fathers had just broken free from the British Empire, and the idea that foreign powers could influence their young democracy was a prominent source of anxiety. The Constitution was written during a summer of long and often rancorous debates over issues such as states' rights, representation, and slavery. Delegates from small and large states disagreed over whether the number of representatives in the new federal legislature should be based on population. Eventually, a compromise was reached, and the Constitution was ratified by 13 states, with Rhode Island being the last holdout, ratifying it on May 29, 1790.

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Delegates from small and large states debated equal representation in the Senate

The Constitution of the United States was the product of political compromise and long, often rancorous debates over issues such as states' rights, representation, and slavery. One of the most contentious aspects of the drafting of the Constitution was the debate between delegates from small and large states over equal representation in the Senate.

The delegates who gathered in Philadelphia in May 1787 initially met to revise the existing form of government under the Articles of Confederation. However, by mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government. The delegates debated the idea of a Congress made up of two houses, with one house being the "grand depository of the democratic principle of government." To counterbalance this popular influence, James Madison of Virginia proposed a second house that would be small, deliberative, and independent from the larger, more democratic house.

This proposal, known as the Virginia Plan or the "Great Compromise," suggested a bicameral national legislature with representation in both houses proportional to the size of the state. The delegates from small states objected to this idea, arguing for equal representation in at least one of the houses. They felt that under the Virginia Plan, their states would have little say in the central government, as larger states contributed more in terms of financial and defensive resources.

On June 29, the delegates from the small states lost the first battle when the convention approved a resolution establishing population as the basis for representation in the House of Representatives, favoring the larger states. However, the small states did not give up and continued to push for equal representation in the Senate. Eventually, on July 16, the delegates agreed on equal state representation in the Senate, with each state having two senators regardless of its population.

This compromise was a turning point in the convention, as it addressed the concerns of both large and small states. It allowed them to move forward and develop an agreed-upon general outline for the Constitution. The Constitution's framers also decided that the Senate would be a smaller body than the House, with senators serving longer terms to ensure their independence from public opinion and short-term political pressures.

The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with suffrage rights proportional to state size

The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787, was a resolution that aimed to establish a bicameral national legislature, consisting of two houses. The plan outlined that the "rights of suffrage" in both houses would be proportional to the size of the state. This meant that larger states would have more representatives in the legislature than smaller states.

The Virginia Plan was a significant development in the creation of the United States Constitution. It addressed the issue of representation in the legislature, which was a contentious topic between delegates from small and large states. The delegates from larger states argued that their states contributed more financially and defensively to the nation, and therefore deserved greater representation in the central government. On the other hand, delegates from smaller states insisted on maintaining the equal vote they had under the Articles of Confederation.

The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with two branches. The first branch would be directly elected by the people for three-year terms, while the second branch would be composed of older leaders elected by the state legislatures for seven-year terms. The plan also suggested that the right of suffrage in the first branch should be based on an "equitable ratio of representation", taking into account the population of free citizens, inhabitants, and those bound to servitude within each state. This included "three-fifths of all other persons", referring to enslaved African Americans.

The Virginia Plan's proposal for a bicameral legislature with suffrage rights proportional to state size was not without opposition. Connecticut's Roger Sherman, supported by Oliver Ellsworth, argued for equal suffrage in the Senate, stating that "Everything depended on this. The smaller States would never agree to the plan on any other principle than an equality of suffrage." This motion was defeated by a single vote, highlighting the divisive nature of the issue.

The Virginia Plan underwent several revisions before the finalization of the U.S. Constitution. It laid the groundwork for a national government with three branches, checks and balances to prevent power abuses, and a legislative process that considered population in representation. The plan's influence extended beyond the creation of the Constitution, shaping the fundamental law of the U.S. federal system of government and contributing to its status as a landmark document in the Western world.

Small states objected, arguing for equal representation, while large states argued for representation based on population

The United States Constitution, established in 1787, was the product of political compromise and long, often contentious debates over issues including states' rights, representation, and slavery. At the time, delegates from small states objected to the idea of representation based on population, as proposed by the Virginia Plan, which would diminish their influence relative to larger states. Instead, they advocated for equal representation for each state in the new federal legislature, as was the case under the Articles of Confederation.

The delegates from the small states argued that equal representation was necessary to protect their interests and prevent larger states from dominating the central government. They believed that each state, regardless of its population, should have an equal voice in national decision-making. On the other hand, delegates from larger states, such as Virginia, countered that representation based on population was fairer and more democratic. They argued that their states contributed more financially and defensively to the nation and, therefore, deserved a greater say in governance.

The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and introduced by Edmund Randolph, proposed a bicameral national legislature with two houses. In this plan, the "rights of suffrage" in both houses would be proportional to the size of the state. This idea was strongly opposed by the small-state delegates, who saw it as a threat to their influence and the balance of power.

The debate over representation was one of the most contentious aspects of drafting the Constitution. It was eventually resolved through a compromise known as the "Great Compromise" or the "Connecticut Compromise." This compromise established a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state. The convention approved a resolution establishing population as the basis for representation in the House of Representatives, favouring the larger states.

The creation of the United States Constitution was a complex and challenging process, involving delegates with diverse interests and views. The final document, signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, reflected a series of compromises and negotiations. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had been in force since 1781 but was widely seen as inadequate and lacking enforcement powers. The Constitution established a powerful central government while also addressing states' rights and representation concerns.

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The Connecticut Compromise was a turning point, with large-state delegates threatening to leave

The United States Constitution was established on September 17, 1787, by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention. The delegates were convinced that an effective central government with a wide range of enforceable powers must replace the weaker Congress established by the Articles of Confederation.

The delegates from large states and small states disagreed over whether the number of representatives in the new federal legislature should be the same for each state or different depending on a state's population. Delegates from Virginia and other large states demanded that voting in Congress be according to population, while representatives of smaller states insisted on the equality they had enjoyed under the Articles of Confederation.

The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or the Sherman Compromise, was a turning point in this dispute. Proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut, it combined the Virginia (large-state) plan and the New Jersey (small-state) plan. According to the Compromise, there would be two national legislatures in a bicameral Congress. The House of Representatives would be allocated according to each state's population and elected by the people. In the second body, the Senate, each state would have two representatives, regardless of the state's size, and state legislatures would choose senators.

The large-state delegates threatened to leave, and the small-state delegates were afraid that their voices and interests would be drowned out by the larger states. The Compromise was thus a crucial resolution that allowed the Constitution to be ratified.

The final plan included a smaller, more independent Senate and a larger, more democratic House

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with one additional signature by George Reed on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware. The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a summer of debates in Philadelphia, where delegates had gathered to revise the existing form of government under the Articles of Confederation. However, by mid-June, the delegates had decided to completely redesign the government, leading to the creation of the Constitution as we know it today.

One of the most contentious issues during the drafting of the Constitution was the representation of large versus small states. Delegates from small states argued for equal representation in the new federal legislature, while delegates from large states contended that representation should be proportional to a state's population. This dispute was ultimately resolved through the "'Great Compromise' or the "Connecticut Compromise," which established a bicameral legislature consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The final plan, known as the Connecticut Compromise, included a smaller, more independent Senate and a larger, more democratic House of Representatives. The delegates agreed on equal state representation in the Senate, with each state having two senators. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, would be based on population, giving larger states more representation. This compromise ensured that both large and small states had a voice in the new government.

The Senate was designed to be a deliberative body, with longer terms for senators to make them more independent of public opinion. James Madison, one of the key architects of the Constitution, argued that a smaller Senate would allow for more wisdom and coolness in decision-making. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, was envisioned as the "grand depository of the democratic principle of government," with a larger membership more directly representing the people.

The creation of the United States Constitution was a complex and contentious process, involving compromises and negotiations between delegates with diverse interests and views. The final plan, with its smaller, more independent Senate and larger, more democratic House, was a critical aspect of establishing a balanced and functional government that represented all states, regardless of size.

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