By: Hannah Y
Larger states vs. Smaller states
At the constitution convention they were having trouble deciding how they would divide up the representation in congress. After a lot of debating there were two plans put on the table. One was the Virginia plan which favored the larger states. The other was the New Jersey plan which favored the small states. The Virginia plan, written by Edmund Randolph, stated that the states with a bigger population should get more representation in the government. The New Jersey plan, written by William Patterson, says that every state should get equal representation no matter what their population is. They argued and debated for a long time and finally came up with the Great Compromise. It states that for every 30,000 people the state should receive one representative in congress.
Separation of powers
At the constitutional convention, they were trying to find away to have different branches of the central government so that one branch didn't have all of the power. They had trouble deciding how to divide it up. Finally, they created three branches of government: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch has its own job and they all check each other to make sure that one branch doesn't become too powerful. The Executive Branch carries out laws, the Legislative Branch makes the laws and the Judicial Branch evaluates laws.
The people of the United States wanted to have governments in their own states so that they can have more than one government in control. They have given different powers to each government but some of the powers are the same. The central government had more powers and they are greater powers and the state government has less powers and they are of lesser importance. The delegates at the constitutional convention created 2 governments so that their citizens could feel safe and that they know that the governments will not become an absolute monarchy.
Checks and Balances
James Madison says that the seperation of branches should not be absolute. Everyone should be able to check everyone. The legislature can check the power of the chief executive by being able to impeach the chief executive. The president can check the powers of the Supreme Court by nominating the justices. Finally, the Supreme Court can check the senate by declaring laws unconstitutional. They didn't want one branch becoming to powerful and so that is why they created checks and balances.