Compromises That Shaped The Constitution

The US Constitution is a document that was created through a series of compromises, with the 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 facing several major issues, including representation, state versus federal powers, executive power, slavery, and commerce. The Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise was one of the most important, addressing the issue of representation in Congress by establishing two chambers: the Senate, which would provide equal representation for each state, and the House of Representatives, which would be based on population. Another compromise was the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted three-fifths of a state's enslaved population towards its total population, thereby increasing the number of congressional seats in several states, particularly in the South. The delegates also compromised on the issue of the slave trade, agreeing to allow it to continue for 20 years before Congress could regulate it. Additionally, they agreed to allot specific responsibilities to the federal government while delegating other functions to the states. Finally, the delegates compromised on the method of selecting the president, creating the Electoral College, which is made up of electors roughly proportional to the population.

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The Three-Fifths Compromise: slaves counted as three-fifths of a person for representation

The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement reached during the 1787 United States Constitutional Convention over the inclusion of slaves in counting a state's total population. This agreement, also known as the Constitutional Compromise of 1787, was made between delegates from the Northern and Southern states. The Southern delegates, representing slaveholding states, wanted their entire population to be considered when determining the number of Representatives they could elect and send to Congress. In contrast, the Northern delegates, representing free states, wanted to exclude the counting of slave populations in slave states, as those slaves had no voting rights.

The Southern states' economies were heavily dependent on slavery and agriculture, while the Northern states were industrialized and produced many finished goods. This economic disparity meant that the Southern states fought hard for slaves to be counted in terms of representation, threatening to abandon the convention if enslaved individuals were not counted. The Northern states, on the other hand, wanted to end the importation and sale of slaves and keep the Union intact.

The compromise that was reached counted three-fifths of each state's slave population toward that state's total population. This number was used for determining the number of seats in the House of Representatives, the number of electoral votes each state received, and the amount of money the states paid in taxes. This gave the Southern states more power in the House of Representatives relative to the North and resulted in the Southern states being perpetually overrepresented in national politics.

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a contentious issue that reflected the larger goal of securing the unity and independence of the United States, even at the cost of eradicating slavery. It was part of Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, which was superseded and explicitly repealed by Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868.

The Great Compromise: two chambers in Congress, equal representation in the Senate, population-based House

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement made between large and small states regarding representation in Congress. The former favoured representation by population, while the latter argued for equal representation by state. The Great Compromise established a bicameral Congress, with two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate provided for equal representation for each state, regardless of population. This chamber was designed to protect the interests of smaller states and ensure they had a voice in the legislative process. Each state, regardless of size, was given two senators, ensuring equal representation in this chamber.

On the other hand, the House of Representatives was based on population. Larger states were apportioned more seats in this chamber, reflecting their bigger populations. This chamber gave greater weight to the larger states, ensuring that legislative decisions considered the needs of the majority.

The Great Compromise was a fusion of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan, proposed by Edmund Randolph and James Madison, advocated for a legislature with two chambers, both based on a state's population. Conversely, the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Patterson, suggested a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

By combining elements of both plans, the Great Compromise struck a balance between proportional and equal representation, addressing the concerns of both large and small states. It ensured that Congress would be representative of the diverse population of the United States, while also giving smaller states a guaranteed voice in the legislative process. This compromise was a pivotal moment in the formation of the US government, shaping the structure and representation within Congress.

Slave trade: Northern states agreed Congress could ban it after 20 years, in 1808

The issue of slavery was a central and contentious topic at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Delegates from the Northern states, where the economy did not rely heavily on slavery, wanted to end the importation and sale of slaves. In contrast, the Southern states, with their agricultural economies, argued that slavery was vital to their economy and did not want the government interfering in the slave trade.

The Northern states, keen to keep the Union intact, agreed to a compromise. They would allow the slave trade to continue for 20 years, after which Congress could ban it. This became known as the "Slave Trade Compromise". As part of this agreement, the Northern states also had to accept the Fugitive Slave Law, which required them to deport any runaway slaves.

The delegates also disagreed on how to count slaves for representation in the House of Representatives. The "Three-Fifths Compromise" was reached, where three-fifths of a state's enslaved population would be counted as part of the total population. This gave the Southern states a greater number of representatives than if only the free population had been considered, but it was still a blow to their representation relative to the Northern states.

The Southern states wanted slaves to be counted as part of the population as they relied on slave labour and had smaller free populations. The Northern states, on the other hand, wanted slaves to not be counted towards representation as they had larger free populations and did not rely on slavery. The Three-Fifths Compromise was a way to partially satisfy both sides, although it still gave an advantage to the Southern states in terms of representation.

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Electoral College: electors, roughly proportional to population, select the president

The United States elects its president using a system known as the "Electoral College". This was a compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention, where delegates debated between electing the president through each state's Senate or via popular vote. The Electoral College was eventually chosen as the method of selecting the president.

The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors drawn from the states and the District of Columbia. Under Article II of the Constitution, the number of electors each state has is equal to its congressional delegation, with Washington, D.C. granted three electoral votes by the 23rd Amendment.

On Election Day, Americans cast their votes for president and vice president. However, these popular votes do not directly determine the election outcome. Instead, they determine which electors will be appointed to the Electoral College from each state. This means that the popular vote influences the composition of the Electoral College, which then chooses the president.

The number of electors in the Electoral College is roughly proportional to the population of each state. This was a significant aspect of the compromise, as it allowed for a balance between the interests of large and small states. The large states favoured representation by population, while the small states argued for equal representation by state. The Electoral College, with its proportional allocation of electors, provided a solution that considered the preferences of both sides.

Federalism: specific responsibilities given to federal government, other functions delegated to states

Federalism is a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government. In the United States, the federal government and state governments have different powers and responsibilities. The Constitution establishes the rules of operation for the government, with the federal government having limited power over the fifty states, and state governments having power within their state, guided by federal guidelines.

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution outlines the specific powers of the federal government, referred to as enumerated powers. These include the power to tax, build roads, and create lower courts. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers to the states, as long as they are not delegated to the federal government. These reserved powers include creating school systems, overseeing state courts, creating public safety systems, managing business and trade within the state, and managing local governments.

The concept of federalism embodies the division and sharing of power between the national and state governments. The Framers intended to establish a unified national government with limited powers, while maintaining autonomy for state governments to exercise their authority. This system of dual sovereignty ensures that states have surrendered certain powers to the federal government while retaining sovereignty in other areas.

The specific responsibilities given to the federal government and the functions delegated to the states are essential components of federalism in the United States. This division of powers allows for a balance between national unity and state autonomy, ensuring that the federal government addresses broader governance issues, while state governments handle issues of local concern.

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