James Madison's Summary Of The Constitution

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James Madison Summary The Virginia Plan was mainly geared toward the larger states and the New Jersey plan was geared toward the smaller plan. The Virginia Plan had the source of power coming from the people and proportional representation. The New Jersey Plan had the source of power coming from the states with equal representation. Congress discussed both plans, and there were representatives that agreed with both. Then, they agreed on a two branches in legislation, and agreed to have the people elect for the first branch. Next, they discussed of counting slaves equal to white for representation, and voted no. They did agree to take a census of the free people; initially they did not agree to count three fifths of black people, but later did. Then, they discussed the …show more content…

They finally settled on allowing it for twenty years. Federalist Papers Summary The first selection discusses the Constitution and its usefulness against factions. Madison mentions there are only two ways to eliminate the problems caused by factions. People can eliminate its origins or control its effects. There are also two ways of ‘removing the causes of faction’; we can get rid of liberty or make every citizen have the same ideas. He says it is basically part of human nature to form ideas and people will attach those ideas to themselves. Madison eventually comes to the conclusion that factions can only be controlled. He advocates for the Constitution and declares the faction will not be able to spread far because of the checks and balances. The next selection is about whether the government is republican. Madison first states no other form of government will suit the American people. Madison then continues to outline what makes a republican government and identifies how the Constitution fits the definition. To the people mentioning the Constitution takes power from the states, he asserts the government would be divided among national and state power.