INITIAL POSITIONS AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

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INITIAL POSITIONS AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION

• SMALL STATES
• Add tax and trade powers to the Articles of
  Confederation
• One vote per state in both bodies of Congress

Virginia
Rhode Island
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INITIAL POSITIONS AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

• VIRGINIA PLAN (LARGE STATES)
• Abolish Articles of Confederation
• Both bodies of Congress based on population
• Executive elected by Congress

Virginia
Rhode Island
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COMPROMISES AT THE CONVENTION

• House
• Number based on state population
• Count 3/5 of slaves
• Power to originate tax bills

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COMPROMISES AT THE CONVENTION

• Senate
• Two Senators per state
• Elected by State Legislatures

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COMPROMISES AT THE CONVENTION

• Executive
• Indirect election through Electoral College

• Slavery
• No importation after 1808
• 3/5ths counted for House apportionment

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ARTICLES VS. CONSTITUTION

• ARTICLES
• States sovereign
• No executive
• No federal courts
• Congress without taxing power
• Congress with little power over commerce
• One body, one vote per state
• Agreement of all states required to amend
• Congress has only specific, delegated powers
• Only state governments act directly on the people

• CONSTITUTION
• Sovereignty divided
• Executive chosen by electoral college
• Federal court system
• Congress has taxing power
• Congress has power to regulate commerce
• Two bodies one based on population
• 3/4 of states required to amend
• Congress has implied as well as specific,
  delegated powers
• Both state and national governments act directly
  on the people