Summarize the conflicts and compromises of the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, resolved the conflicts between large and small states during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The conflict arose from the two proposed plans for representation in the legislative branch. The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature, with representation based on population, favoring larger states. On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature, with equal representation for each state, favoring smaller states.
To address this conflict, a compromise was reached where the legislature would consist of two branches: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives would have representation based on population, satisfying the larger states, while the Senate would have equal representation for each state, satisfying the smaller states.
The Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with the issue of how enslaved individuals would be counted for representation and taxation purposes. Some southern states wanted to count enslaved individuals as part of their population to gain more representation in the House of Representatives, while northern states disagreed.
The compromise stated that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes. This compromise allowed southern states to boost their representation without giving full rights to enslaved individuals, who lacked political and legal protections.
In summary, the Great Compromise resolved the conflicts between large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature with a mix of proportional and equal representation. The Three-Fifths Compromise resolved the issue of counting enslaved individuals for representation and taxation purposes by counting them as three-fifths of a person.
The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were both critical agreements reached during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. Here are the conflicts and compromises associated with each:
1. Great Compromise:
- Conflict: The conflict arose between the larger states (Virginia Plan) and the smaller states (New Jersey Plan) over the representation in the legislative branch.
- Compromise: The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, reconciled this conflict by creating a bicameral legislature. The lower house, known as the House of Representatives, would have representation based on population, favoring the larger states. The upper house, called the Senate, would have equal representation, giving smaller states an equal voice.
2. Three-Fifths Compromise:
- Conflict: The conflict centered on the issue of how enslaved individuals would be counted when determining representation and taxation.
- Compromise: The Three-Fifths Compromise settled this conflict by declaring that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation. This compromise was a compromise between those who wanted slaves to count fully and those who did not want them counted at all.
In summary, the Great Compromise resolved the conflict between large and small states through the creation of a bicameral legislature, while the Three-Fifths Compromise addressed the issue of enslaved individuals' representation and taxation by counting them as three-fifths of a person.
The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were important agreements made during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. The conflicts and compromises associated with these two agreements can be summarized as follows:
Great Compromise:
1. Conflict: The delegates at the Constitutional Convention had differing opinions on how the legislative branch should be structured. Some favored a bicameral (two-house) legislature, while others preferred a unicameral (single-house) legislature.
2. Compromise: The Great Compromise proposed a bicameral legislature, with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The House of Representatives would have representation based on each state's population, while the Senate would have equal representation for all states.
Three-Fifths Compromise:
1. Conflict: The issue of how enslaved individuals should be counted for purposes of representation and taxation caused significant disagreement among the delegates.
2. Compromise: The Three-Fifths Compromise stated that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for determining both representation in the House of Representatives and direct taxation. This compromise favored the Southern states which had a larger enslaved population. It was a controversial compromise that devalued the humanity of enslaved individuals.
To understand these compromises, it is important to study the historical context of the time and the different perspectives held by the delegates. Further research into primary sources, such as the records of the Constitutional Convention, can provide a deeper understanding of the conflicts and negotiations that led to these compromises.