Constitutional Convention and Compromises

The video covers the Constitutional Convention of 1787, highlighting the need to revise the Articles of Confederation due to their ineffectiveness. Key figures like George Washington and James Madison played significant roles. Major issues discussed included representation in Congress, leading to the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, and the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature. The contentious issue of slavery was addressed through the Three-Fifths Compromise, allowing a portion of the slave population to count towards representation and taxation.

What was the main reason for the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

• To draft the Bill of Rights

• To revise the Articles of Confederation

• To elect a new president

• To declare independence from Britain

Which state did not attend the Constitutional Convention?

• New York

• Virginia

• Rhode Island

• Pennsylvania

Who was chosen as the leader of the Constitutional Convention?

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• James Madison

• Benjamin Franklin

What was a major issue discussed at the Constitutional Convention?

• Taxation without representation

• Representation in Congress

• The abolition of slavery

• The Louisiana Purchase

What did the Virginia Plan propose?

• A unicameral legislature

• Equal representation for all states

• Proportional representation based on population

• A single executive leader

What was the main feature of the New Jersey Plan?

• Proportional representation

• A bicameral legislature

• A strong executive branch

• Equal representation for each state

What did the Great Compromise establish?

• A bicameral Congress with proportional and equal representation

• A unicameral Congress

• A single house of Congress

• A new executive branch

How many senators does each state have according to the Great Compromise?

• One

• Four

• Two

• Three

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise about?

• Abolishing slavery

• Granting voting rights to slaves

• Counting three out of every five slaves for representation and taxation

• Counting slaves as full citizens

Why was the South adamant about counting slaves in their population?

• To abolish slavery

• To gain more representatives in Congress

• To increase their tax burden

• To support the North's economy