The Philadelphia Convention of 1787: When America's Founding Fathers Tried Not to Throw Hands (Mostly)
You know those awkward family reunions where everyone pretends to get along? The Philadelphia Convention of 1787 wasn't exactly a picnic in the park, but it was where the Founding Fathers hashed out the U.S. Constitution. They weren't always seeing eye-to-eye, let's just say. But through a series of compromises that would make your passive-aggressive aunt proud, they managed to cobble together a framework for a pretty darn successful nation. So, grab a metaphorical cup of tea (or something stronger, depending on the compromise), and let's take a look at the behind-the-scenes deal-making that went down.
 |
| What Were The Most Important Compromises Struck In The Philadelphia Convention Of 1787 |
The Big One: The Great Compromise (or Should We Say the Great Appeasement?)
Imagine you and your siblings are arguing over how to split chores. You, the eldest with the most toys (er, states with the biggest populations), want things divided based on how much work each person does. Your younger siblings, with their adorable button eyes (cute, small states), want equal chores because, well, family! The Great Compromise was basically the grown-up version of this. The larger states wanted representation in Congress based on population, while the smaller states demanded an equal voice. Enter the bicameral legislature: a fancy way of saying two houses of Congress. The House of Representatives would be based on population (big states rejoice!), while the Senate would give each state two seats (yippee for the little guys!). This way, everyone got a slice of the legislative pie, even if it wasn't exactly the size they were hoping for.
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
The Three-Fifths Compromise: Counting People...Kind Of
This one's a bit of a doozy, so buckle up. The South had a lot of slaves, which they considered property, but also a source of wealth (yikes). They wanted slaves to count towards their population for representation purposes (more slaves, more power!), but not for taxation (because, you know, taxes are a bummer). The North wasn't exactly thrilled with this idea, but after some serious political bartering, they came up with the three-fifths compromise. Here's the gist: for every five slaves, a state would count three people towards their population. It wasn't ideal, but it was a compromise, which is what this convention was all about, right? (Note: This compromise, while allowing the South greater representation, was morally repugnant and based on the dehumanization of Black people.)
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
The Electoral College: A Surprise Twist (No, Not That One)
Remember how we mentioned family reunions? The Electoral College compromise was basically the plan for choosing the president to avoid any potential brawls over who gets the "favorite cousin" title. Instead of a straight popular vote, they decided on a system where electors from each state would cast votes for president. The number of electors would be equal to the combined number of senators and representatives a state has. It's a bit more complicated than that, but hey, at least they didn't have to resort to a thumb war.
QuickTip: Revisit this post tomorrow — it’ll feel new.
So You Want to Compromise Like a Founding Father? How-To Tips for the Modern Age:
1. How to Channel Your Inner Benjamin Franklin: When tensions rise, a little folksy charm can go a long way. Think Ben Franklin and his witty sayings – maybe a well-timed Founding Father quote will lighten the mood?
QuickTip: Stop scrolling if you find value.
 |
2. How to Craft a Proposal Like James Madison: Research is key! Just like James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," came prepared with ideas, be sure to have a well-thought-out plan for compromise.
3. How to Find Common Ground Like Roger Sherman: Look for the middle way, like Roger Sherman, who proposed the Great Compromise. What can both sides agree on, even if it's not exactly what they envisioned?
4. How to Pick Your Battles Like George Washington: Don't sweat the small stuff, like George Washington (hopefully). Focus on the most important issues and be willing to concede on less crucial points.
5. How to Celebrate Like All the Founding Fathers (Hopefully): Once you've reached an agreement, celebrate! Maybe not with quill pens and parchment, but a compromise is a cause for, well, compromise (perhaps a sweet treat for everyone involved?).
 |
