The Issue of Representation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 46 views

The 1787 Constitution Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was a pivotal moment in American history. It was during this convention that the United States Constitution was drafted, laying the foundation for the country's government and institutions. However, the convention was not without its challenges, and the delegates were divided on several key issues. In this article, we will explore the major issues that divided the delegates of the 1787 Constitution Convention.

The Virginia Plan vs. The New Jersey Plan

One of the earliest and most significant divisions among the delegates was between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population. This plan would have given larger states more power and influence in the government. On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state. This plan would have given smaller states more power and influence in the government.

The debate between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was intense, with larger states arguing that their population and economic power entitled them to more representation, while smaller states argued that equal representation was essential to prevent the tyranny of the majority. The compromise that ultimately emerged, the Great Compromise, established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives.

The Issue of Slavery

Another major issue that divided the delegates was the issue of slavery. The Southern states, which relied heavily on slavery, wanted to protect the institution and ensure that it was not abolished. The Northern states, on the other hand, were opposed to slavery and wanted to see it abolished. The debate over slavery was intense, with some delegates arguing that it was a moral evil that should be abolished, while others argued that it was a necessary institution that should be protected.

The issue of slavery was not only a moral issue but also an economic one. The Southern states relied heavily on slavery to produce crops such as tobacco and cotton, which were in high demand in the North. The Northern states, on the other hand, were opposed to slavery because it was seen as a threat to their economic interests and their moral values.

The compromise that ultimately emerged, the Three-Fifths Compromise, counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation. This compromise allowed the Southern states to maintain their power and influence in the government while also allowing the Northern states to maintain their opposition to slavery.

The Issue of Representation

The issue of representation was another major point of contention among the delegates. The larger states wanted to ensure that they had more representation in the government, while the smaller states wanted to ensure that they had equal representation. The debate over representation was intense, with some delegates arguing that representation should be based on population, while others argued that it should be based on equal representation for each state.

The compromise that ultimately emerged, the Great Compromise, established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives. This compromise allowed the larger states to have more power and influence in the government while also allowing the smaller states to have a voice in the government.

The Issue of Executive Power

The issue of executive power was another major point of contention among the delegates. The larger states wanted to ensure that the executive branch had more power and influence, while the smaller states wanted to ensure that the executive branch had less power and influence. The debate over executive power was intense, with some delegates arguing that the executive branch should have more power and influence, while others argued that it should have less power and influence.

The compromise that ultimately emerged, the system of checks and balances, established a system in which the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch had equal power and influence. This compromise allowed the larger states to have more power and influence in the government while also allowing the smaller states to have a voice in the government.

The Issue of Judicial Power

The issue of judicial power was another major point of contention among the delegates. The larger states wanted to ensure that the judicial branch had more power and influence, while the smaller states wanted to ensure that the judicial branch had less power and influence. The debate over judicial power was intense, with some delegates arguing that the judicial branch should have more power and influence, while others argued that it should have less power and influence.

Conclusion

The 1787 Constitution Convention was a pivotal moment in American history. The delegates were divided on several key issues, including the Virginia Plan vs. the New Jersey Plan, the issue of slavery, the issue of representation, the issue of executive power, and the issue of judicial power. The compromises that ultimately emerged, including the Great Compromise and the system of checks and balances, allowed the larger states to have more power and influence in the government while also allowing the smaller states to have a voice in the government.

The Constitution that emerged from the 1787 Constitution Convention has had a profound impact on American history and continues to shape the country's government and institutions today. The compromises that were made during the convention have allowed the country to maintain its unity and stability, despite the many challenges and controversies that it has faced over the years.

References

Madison, J. (1787). The Federalist Papers.
Paterson, W. (1787). The New Jersey Plan.
The National Archives. (n.d.). The Constitution of the United States.
The Library of Congress. (n.d.). The 1787 Constitution Convention.

External Links

The National Archives: www.archives.gov
The Library of Congress: www.loc.gov
The Constitutional Convention: www.constitutionconvention.com
Q&A: The 1787 Constitution Convention =============================================

The 1787 Constitution Convention was a pivotal moment in American history, and it's still widely studied and debated today. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the convention and its significance.

Q: What was the main purpose of the 1787 Constitution Convention?

A: The main purpose of the 1787 Constitution Convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was the governing document of the United States at the time. However, the convention ultimately produced a new constitution that replaced the Articles of Confederation.

Q: Who were the key players at the 1787 Constitution Convention?

A: Some of the key players at the 1787 Constitution Convention included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Roger Sherman. These individuals played important roles in shaping the new constitution and its provisions.

Q: What were the main issues that divided the delegates at the 1787 Constitution Convention?

A: The main issues that divided the delegates at the 1787 Constitution Convention included the Virginia Plan vs. the New Jersey Plan, the issue of slavery, the issue of representation, the issue of executive power, and the issue of judicial power. These issues were contentious and required significant compromise to resolve.

Q: What was the significance of the Great Compromise?

A: The Great Compromise was a significant agreement reached at the 1787 Constitution Convention that established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives. This compromise allowed the larger states to have more power and influence in the government while also allowing the smaller states to have a voice in the government.

Q: What was the Three-Fifths Compromise, and why was it significant?

A: The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement reached at the 1787 Constitution Convention that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation. This compromise allowed the Southern states to maintain their power and influence in the government while also allowing the Northern states to maintain their opposition to slavery.

Q: What was the significance of the system of checks and balances?

A: The system of checks and balances was a significant innovation introduced at the 1787 Constitution Convention that established a system in which the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch had equal power and influence. This system has been an essential feature of the US government ever since.

Q: How did the 1787 Constitution Convention impact American history?

A: The 1787 Constitution Convention had a profound impact on American history, shaping the country's government and institutions in lasting ways. The new constitution established a strong central government, a system of checks and balances, and a framework for the country's future development.

Q: What are some of the key takeaways from the 1787 Constitution Convention?

A: Some of the key takeaways from the 1787 Constitution Convention include the importance of compromise, the need for a strong central government, and the significance of the system of checks and balances. These takeaways continue to shape American politics and government today.

Q: Why is the 1787 Constitution Convention still relevant today?

A: The 1787 Constitution Convention remains relevant today because it established the framework for the US government and its institutions. The principles and compromises reached at the convention continue to shape American politics and government, and they remain an essential part of the country's history and identity.

References

Madison, J. (1787). The Federalist Papers.
Paterson, W. (1787). The New Jersey Plan.
The National Archives. (n.d.). The Constitution of the United States.
The Library of Congress. (n.d.). The 1787 Constitution Convention.

External Links

The National Archives: www.archives.gov
The Library of Congress: www.loc.gov
The Constitutional Convention: www.constitutionconvention.com