Despite the fact that smaller states were worried about being controlled by larger states and larger states wanted representation based on population, the 13 states were able to develop and adopt a constitution. Describe how they did so.
Each state elected two members of the Senate. Members of the House represented so many people.
Ummmm this is a hard question I need to know the answer
The process of developing and adopting the Constitution by the 13 states involved a series of negotiations, compromises, and collaborations. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how they achieved this significant accomplishment:
1. **Formation of the Constitutional Convention**: In 1787, delegates from 12 out of the 13 states (excluding Rhode Island) gathered in Philadelphia to address the issues with the existing government framework, the Articles of Confederation.
2. **Virginia and New Jersey Plans**: Delegates from larger states, led by Virginia, proposed the Virginia Plan, which called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population. Smaller states, led by New Jersey, opposed this plan as it gave an advantage to larger states. They proposed the New Jersey Plan, which advocated for equal representation for all states.
3. **The Great Compromise**: To bridge the gap between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, a committee led by Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise. It suggested a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives, with representation based on population, and the Senate, with equal representation for each state.
4. **Three-Fifths Compromise**: One major issue was how to count slaves for representation and taxation purposes. The Three-Fifths Compromise settled this by determining that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person, benefiting the Southern states in terms of representation.
5. **Ratification Process**: After the delegates reached a consensus and approved the draft constitution, the document had to be ratified by the individual states. The ratification process required approval by at least nine out of the thirteen states before it could take effect.
6. **State Ratification Debates**: Each state held its own ratification debates, which were challenging and intense. Supporters of the Constitution were known as Federalists, while those opposing it were called Anti-Federalists. The Federalists argued for a strong central government, emphasizing the need for unity and stability, while the Anti-Federalists feared a loss of individual rights and voiced concerns over the lack of a Bill of Rights.
7. **Ratification Concessions**: To address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists and ensure the Constitution's adoption, the Federalists made concessions. They agreed to add a Bill of Rights, which would protect individual liberties, as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. This compromise helped garner support and eventually led to the ratification of the Constitution.
8. **Ratification and Adoption**: The ninth state, New Hampshire, ratified the Constitution on June 21, 1788, meeting the requirement for adoption. In total, all thirteen states eventually ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the last one to do so in 1790.
By engaging in extensive debates, compromises, and willingness to address concerns, the delegates were able to overcome the conflicting interests of both larger and smaller states, leading to the successful development and adoption of the United States Constitution.