George Washington presided over the convention but he did not play an active part in the debates. ... Delegates agreed to debate this plan and in so doing formally abandoned the idea of amending the Articles of Confederation. ... So, in June, William Paterson of New Jersey put forward his plan when it appeared that much of the Virginia plan would be approved. The key issue in the constitutional debate thus far was the equality of representation for smaller states. ... Great Compromise or "The Connecticut Compromise" On 30 June, Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut put forth a compromise. ...

• Word Count: 1763
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

From March 1, 1781 to June 21, 1788 the Articles of Confederation provided the United States with a government. Though there is much debate as to how effective it was. ... If getting a unanimous vote had been possible, one might propose the idea of having a "patched-up" Articles of Confederation today, instead of America's present day Constitution. ... Mistakes were defiantly made along the way, but Congress and political leaders were right to form a strong Federal Constitution. ... Therefore letting thirteen states take the plunge to agree to the present day Constitution of the United St...

• Word Count: 614
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School