The U.S. Constitution was partly a product of compromises, among them the Three-Fifths
Compromise and the Great Compromise of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Discuss the problems that led
to these compromises, the constitutional provisions that resulted, and how the compromises kept the
Convention together. Finally, reflect on the position of the anti-slavery delegates who accepted the Three-Fifths
Compromise. Were they justified in doing so? Why or why not?
You will create your own diagram, think of it as a mind map, of the events that lead to the Great Compromise
and Three -Fifths Compromise. Pick a starting point (a catalyst that leads to the Convention) and connect the
events and proposed plans to end at the Constitution. You will also provide a written component, in which you
summarize the diagram by walking the reader through the map that you have presented describing the core
debates, events & decisions of the Constitutional Convention.
The diagram and paper should include the following: (a) an introduction where the purpose of this paper is laid
out, (b) Explanation of the Virginia (Large State) Plan, New Jersey (Small State) Plan, Hamilton Plan, The
Great Compromise, and the Three-Fifths Compromise (who proposed it, what did the plan want, why did it
work/not work) as each occurs in your model, (c) your opinion and explanation of why on whether the
delegates were justified in agreeing to the Three-Fifths Compromise. Be thorough and explain yourself, d) a
final paragraph of conclusion (this should bookend and wrap up details set forth in the introduction).
When using information from the textbook simply cite the page number. If you look up facts from sources
outside the textbook include a parenthetical citation and bibliography. Common knowledge about the issue
does not require a citation. “Common knowledge consists of facts and sayings that are well known by a large
number of people or information that is included in multiple sources.” If you are not sure what constitutes
common knowledge, please read this guide to plagiarism: http://libguides.uwf.edu/content.php?
pid=347715&sid=2927490.
Paper must include the following components:
Brief introduction
Explanation of Virginia (Large State) Plan (who proposed it, what did the plan want, why didn’t it work)
Explanation of New Jersey (Small State) Plan (who proposed it, what did the plan want, why didn’t it work)
Development of the Great Compromise
Development of the Three-Fifths Compromise
Constitutional outcomes of both compromises. (Where are they found in the Constitution and any changes
made through amendments)
Your opinion and explanation of why on whether the delegates were justified in agreeing to the Three-Fifths
Compromise. Be thorough and explain yourself.
Brief conclusion
Sample Solution
