Major Debates and Compromise

1. What was the main question regarding enslaved people during the Constitutional Convention?

• Should enslaved people have voting rights?

• Should enslaved people be freed immediately?

• Should enslaved people be counted as people or property for representation?

Why did southern states want enslaved people to be counted for representation in the House?

• They believed in equal rights for all.

• They wanted more representatives in the House.

• They wanted to abolish enslavement.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• Allowing enslaved people to vote in state elections.

• Counting each enslaved person as a full person for representation.

• Counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation.

Why were southern delegates worried about Congress controlling trade?

• Congress might tax southern exports and end the slave trade.

• Congress might regulate wages of workers.

• Congress might ban trade with other countries.

What did the Fugitive Slave Clause require?

• Enslaved people who escaped had to be given a trial.

• Enslaved people who escaped had to be freed.

• Enslaved people who escaped had to be returned to their owners.

Why did some delegates oppose a single executive for the new government?

• They feared a single executive would become too kinglike.

• They didn’t want George Washington as president.

• They wanted no executive at all.

What compromise was made on how to elect the chief executive?

• The people would directly elect the president.

• Congress would appoint the president.

• The president would be chosen by an Electoral College.

How are Electoral College votes determined for each state?

• Equal to the number of senators and representatives each state has.

• Each state has one vote.

• Based on population alone.

Why did the framers create the Electoral College instead of a direct vote for president?

• They thought citizens wouldn’t know enough about candidates outside their state.

• They wanted Congress to have more control.

• They thought only educated people should vote.

How does the Electoral College affect elections today?

• A candidate can win the presidency without a majority of the national popular vote.

• All states divide their electoral votes based on popular vote percentage.

• The candidate with the most national votes always wins.