The Constitutional Convention, held in 1787, saw various plans proposed and compromises made to shape the structure of the new federal government. Here are some of the notable plans and compromises discussed during the convention:
1. Virginia Plan: Proposed by Edmund Randolph and supported by the larger states, this plan called for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature based on population, giving more power to the populous states. This plan favored the interests of the larger states.
2. New Jersey Plan: Proposed by William Paterson and supported by the smaller states, this plan aimed to maintain the Articles of Confederation with some modifications. It advocated for a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation. This plan protected the interests of the smaller states.
3. Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise): Proposed by Roger Sherman, this compromise resolved the dispute between the Virginia and New Jersey plans. It established a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population (favoring the larger states) and the Senate with equal representation for each state (favoring the smaller states).
4. Three-Fifths Compromise: Addressing the issue of counting enslaved individuals for the purposes of representation, this compromise stated that each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation. This compromise was reached between the Southern and Northern states.
5. Commerce Compromise: This compromise dealt with the regulation of commerce. It allowed Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade but prohibited the taxation of exports. This balance addressed the concerns of both agricultural and commercial states.
6. Bill of Rights: The Anti-Federalists, who were concerned about individual rights and the potential for an overly powerful central government, advocated for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. In order to secure the acceptance of the Anti-Federalists, the Federalists agreed to add a series of amendments, which became the Bill of Rights.
The Federalists made concessions in several areas to win the acceptance of the Anti-Federalists. They agreed to the Connecticut Compromise, which provided equal representation for the smaller states in the Senate. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights, which protected individual liberties, was another concession to address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists. These compromises helped to bridge the gap between the different factions and led to the adoption of the new federal government under the United States Constitution.