Great Compromise and Representation Issues

This lesson, part of a fifth-grade social studies unit, explores the origins of the U.S. government, focusing on the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise. The Great Compromise resolved representation issues at the Constitutional Convention by establishing a bicameral Congress, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate on equal representation. The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed how enslaved people were counted for representation and taxation, counting every five enslaved individuals as three people. The lesson concludes with a review of key points and a quiz to assess understanding.

What were the two main learning goals of this lesson?

• To understand the causes of the American Revolution and the Bill of Rights.

• To identify the issue at the Constitutional Convention and the Three-Fifths Compromise.

• To learn about the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation.

• To explore the Industrial Revolution and its impact on America.

Which plan favored larger states by basing representation on population?

• The Sherman Plan

• The Connecticut Plan

• The Virginia Plan

• The New Jersey Plan

What was the main concern of smaller states regarding representation in Congress?

• They wanted more power in the Senate.

• They wanted equal representation for all states.

• They wanted representation based on population.

• They wanted to abolish the House of Representatives.

What did the Great Compromise establish in Congress?

• A single house with equal representation for all states

• Three houses: all based on equal representation

• A single house based on population

• Two houses: one based on population and one on equal representation

Who proposed the Great Compromise?

• James Madison

• Roger Sherman

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

What was the main issue regarding slavery at the Constitutional Convention?

• Whether enslaved people should be freed

• Whether enslaved people should be counted for representation and taxation

• Whether enslaved people should have voting rights

• Whether slavery should be abolished

How did the Three-Fifths Compromise resolve the issue of counting enslaved people?

• Every enslaved person was counted as one person.

• Every two enslaved people were counted as one person.

• Every five enslaved people were counted as three people.

• Enslaved people were not counted at all.

Why did states with large numbers of enslaved people want them counted for representation?

• To increase their voting power

• To reduce their tax burden

• To gain more representatives in Congress

• To abolish slavery

What did the review of learning goals include?

• A discussion on the Bill of Rights

• True or false statements about the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise

• An analysis of the Industrial Revolution

• A summary of the American Revolution

Which statement is true about the Great Compromise?

• It established a single house in Congress.

• It favored larger states by basing representation on population.

• It created two houses: one based on population and one on equal representation.

• It abolished the Senate.