8.7 Issue: How Should Slaves Be Counted?

People Or Property?

How do you think southern states wanted slaves to be counted (as people or property)? Why? Delegates from the South argued that slaves should be counted as people in order to increase their (southern states) representation in the House of Reps. How do you think the northern states wanted slaves to be counted (people or property) Why? Delegates from the North argued that slaves were property and should not be counted, but taxed like property.

What Was the New Thinking On Slavery?

The Revolutionary War caused many people to reexamine their views on slavery. Many states in the North passed laws attempting to end slavery. Why would the South object? But, the Souths economy was still too dependent on slave labor to abolish it.

8.8 Resolution: What Was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

What do you think would be a good compromise? Compromise: count each slave as three-fifths of a person (or 5 slaves as three men) when determining a states population, and taxes. Northern delegates wanted to give Congress the power to control trade which worried the Southerners who thought Congress would end the slave trade.

Look what happens to representation in the House after the 3/5ths Compromise

What Was the Compromise on the Slave Trade?

Compromise: Congress controlled trade, but promised not to tax exports to other countries (ie. rice, tobacco), and not to mess with the slave trade for 20 years. Northerners also agreed to the Fugitive Slave Clause: return runaways to their owners.

8.9 Issue: How Should The Chief Executive Be Elected?

One Executive (President) Or Three?

Many delegates preferred 3 from 3 different parts of the country. Why would they want 3 executives? They thought 1 executive would be too king-like. They decided on a single executive and limited his terms to 4 years.

How Would They Choose The Chief Executive?

Some believed that Congress should appoint a president. Whats wrong with that? Some believed that the people should elect the president. Whats wrong with that? They decided that the president should be elected by a specially chosen group of electors from each state.

8.10 Resolution: Whats the Electoral College?

Electoral College is made up of people, who are elected by the people, who vote for the president. Each state has as many electors as it has senators and representatives. How did states chose electors?

What About Political Parties and Elections?

Political parties did not exist until several years after the convention. Electoral votes are a winner takes all system. If a candidate wins a state, he gets all of the electoral votes. (He can win without a majority)