The Constitutional Convention and the Foundations of Government

In 1787, delegates from the thirteen states met in Philadelphia to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The result was the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established the framework for the national government. One of the most contentious debates at the Constitutional Convention concerned representation in Congress. Several plans were proposed before the delegates reached a compromise that shaped the structure of the federal government.

The Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise

Two primary proposals emerged at the convention: the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.

  • The Virginia Plan, introduced by James Madison, favored large states. It proposed a bicameral legislature (two-house Congress) in which representation would be based on a state's population. This meant that states with larger populations, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, would have more influence in Congress.

  • The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, supported smaller states. It suggested a unicameral legislature (one-house Congress) in which each state would have equal representation, ensuring that smaller states had the same legislative power as larger states.

  • The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was brokered by Roger Sherman. It combined elements of both plans by creating a bicameral Congress:

    • The Senate would grant equal representation to each state, with two senators per state.

    • The House of Representatives would be based on population, allowing larger states more influence.

This compromise balanced the interests of both large and small states, ensuring that neither would dominate the legislative process.

“The people are the legitimate source of all authority derived from them.” – James Madison

The 3/5 Compromise and the Balance of Power

Another major issue at the convention was how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation.

  • Southern states, where slavery was prevalent, wanted enslaved people to be fully counted in population totals. This would increase their representation in the House of Representatives.

  • Northern states, where slavery was less common, opposed this, arguing that if enslaved individuals were considered property, they should not contribute to a state's representation.

  • The 3/5 Compromise resolved this dispute by counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes.

This agreement significantly increased the political power of Southern states in the House of Representatives, giving them greater influence in shaping national policies. However, it also entrenched the institution of slavery in the political system, delaying efforts to abolish it until the Civil War.

“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society.” – Alexander Hamilton

The Supremacy Clause and Federal Authority

The delegates also had to determine the relationship between state and federal power. Under the Articles of Confederation, states had too much power, leading to conflict and inefficiency. The new Constitution sought to correct this imbalance.

  • To ensure that national laws would take precedence over state laws when conflicts arose, the Constitution included the Supremacy Clause, found in Article VI.

  • This clause establishes that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the “supreme Law of the Land.”

  • If a state law contradicts federal law, the state law must yield to the authority of the national government.

The Supremacy Clause played a crucial role in shaping the balance of power in the United States. By ensuring that federal law remains the highest law of the land, the clause helps maintain a unified national legal framework.

“A government ought to contain in itself every power requisite to the full accomplishment of the objects committed to its care.” – Alexander Hamilton

Conclusion

The debates and compromises of the Constitutional Convention laid the foundation for the U.S. government:

  • The Great Compromise created a balanced legislative structure.

  • The 3/5 Compromise shaped the balance of power between North and South.

  • The Supremacy Clause established the primacy of federal law.

These decisions continue to influence American governance today, demonstrating the lasting impact of the U.S. Constitution.