Constitutional Compromises

In the spring of 1787, delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies arrived at Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with intent to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation. During the summer of 1787, these delegates drafted the Constitution, but not without difficulties. The representatives argued over the topics of representation in government, the presidency, and slavery. There were two plans concerning representation in government: the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan favored …

…taxes, the South agreed to allowing the slave trade to continue for just 20 more years, and for imported slaves to be taxable. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a great success. It replaced the Articles of Confederation with a strong Constitution. It resolved the issues of representation, the presidency, as well as slavery. The genius of the Constitution in organizing the federal government has given the United States extraordinary stability over the course of two centuries.