Democracy, Dude: Voting at the Philadelphia Convention (Spoiler Alert: It Wasn't a Rock and Roll Concert)
You might be picturing the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 like a high school student council election – cliques forming, whispers in the hallway, and a nail-biting final vote. But hold on to your powdered wigs, because voting at this historic event was less about popularity and more about a fundamental question: how much say should each state have?
 |
| How Many Votes Did Each State Have At The Philadelphia Convention |
The Great Debate: Size Does Matter (But Not That Much)
The Founding Fathers weren't exactly a bunch of "bros." They were serious dudes with serious disagreements. Big states like Virginia, with a ton of people, thought they should have more voting power. Seems fair, right? "We have more citizens, we deserve more votes!" they argued (probably while wearing fancy breeches and sipping tea).
Meanwhile, smaller states like Rhode Island (who, by the way, didn't even show up to the party) were like, "Whoa whoa whoa, hold on a sec. We're all equal here, remember? One state, one vote!"
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
This disagreement almost turned the whole convention into a toga-ripping brawl (okay, maybe not togas, but you get the idea).
Enter the Compromise Crew: Saving the Day (and the Union)
Thankfully, the Founding Fathers weren't all about throwing metaphorical shade. Some wise guys (looking at you, Roger Sherman of Connecticut) came up with the Great Compromise (also known as the Connecticut Compromise, because apparently everything needs a fancy name back then).
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
Here's the gist:
- The House of Representatives: This would be based on population, so big states got more votes. Fairness for the populous!
- The Senate: Each state would get two senators, no matter how big or small. Equality for all!
This way, everyone got a slice of the voting pie (metaphor alert!), and the convention could get back to the real business of creating a new government.
QuickTip: Scan quickly, then go deeper where needed.
 |
So, How Many Votes Did Each State ACTUALLY Have?
One. Wait, what? Didn't we just talk about the whole House and Senate thing? Yes, but that was for the final structure of the government. At the convention itself, each state delegation got one vote, regardless of how many delegates they sent.
So, a state with one delegate had the same voting power as a state with ten delegates. Kind of like that time your friend convinced the whole class to order extra pizza slices with just one persuasive speech.
Tip: Reading in short bursts can keep focus high.
Fun Fact: Rhode Island, who decided skipping the convention was a good idea, eventually came around and ratified the Constitution anyway. Better late than never, right?
FAQ: Voting 101 (Revolutionary Edition)
How to convince people your state deserves more votes?
- Craft a killer PowerPoint presentation with quill and parchment visuals.
- Learn to play the fife and wow them with a patriotic tune.
- Offer to braid George Washington's hair (it needs some serious TLC).
How to deal with a state that doesn't show up to the convention?
- Send them a strongly worded letter in quill and ink (with glitter for extra impact).
- Offer to hold the convention at their place next time (but only if they promise free refreshments).
- Move on and don't sweat the small stuff (literally, because air conditioning hasn't been invented yet).
How to make a compromise that everyone hates but kind of works?
- Focus on the greater good (like, you know, not having a civil war).
- Promise everyone a lifetime supply of powdered wigs (comfort food for the indecisive).
- Offer to name the new government after the person with the most creative suggestion (democracy almost became "Freedomburgerland").
 |
