William_T._Bianco,_David_T._Canon]_American_Polit

40 Chapter 2Chapter 2 || The Constitution and the FoundingThe Constitution and the Founding

that required political compromise (see Nuts & Bolts 2.2). Among them were

the following:

• majority rule versus minority rights


• large states versus small states


• legislative power versus executive power (and how to elect the executive)


• national power versus state and local power


• slave states versus nonslave states

These complex competing interests meant that the delegates had to focus on

pragmatic, achievable solutions rather than on proposals that represented particular

groups’ ideals but that could not gain majority support. Robert A. Dahl, a leading

democratic theorist of the twentieth century, argues that it was impossible for the

Constitution to “reflect a coherent, unified theory of government” because so much

compromising and vote trading was required to find common ground.^12 The delegates

tackled the problems one at a time, holding lengthy debates and multiple votes on most

issues. The most important initial decision they made was to give up on the original

plan to revise the Articles of Confederation; instead, they decided to start from scratch

with a new blueprint for government.

DID YOU KNOW?

The average age of the delegates to

the Constitutional Convention was

42

Four of the delegates were in their

20s, and 14 were in their 30s.

Source: teachingamericanhistory.org

NUTS

& B O LT S

2.2

Major Compromises at the Constitutional Convention

Conflict Position of the Large States Position of the Small States Compromise

Apportionment in Congress By population State equality Great Compromise created the Senate and House

Method of election to Congress By the people By the states House elected by the people; Senate elected by the state legislatures

Electing the executive (president) By Congress By the states By the electoral college

Who decides federal–state conflicts? Some federal authority State courts State courts to decide*

Position of the Slave States Position of the Nonslave States Compromise

Control over commerce By the states By Congress By Congress, but with 20-year

exemption for the importation

of slaves

Counting slaves toward

apportionment

Counted 1:1 like citizens Not counted Three-Fifths Compromise

Position of the Federalists Position of the Antifederalists Compromise

Protection for individual rights† Secured by state constitutions;

national Bill of Rights not

needed

National Bill of Rights needed Bill of Rights passed by the 1st

Congress; ratified by all states as of

December 1791

*This was changed by the Judiciary Act of 1789, which provided for appeals from state to federal courts.

†This issue was raised but not resolved until after the convention.

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