Source B The debates here in Philadelphia have been fierce. The delegates from Virginia insist on a legislature based on population, which would give their ...

This question asks whether the source proves that the Constitutional Convention was "dominated by disagreements." The word "prove" is important - it sets a high standard. To reach the top level (5-7 marks), you must consider whether the source provides sufficient evidence for such a strong claim, and use your own knowledge to test the claim.

What evidence of disagreement does the source provide?

The source describes a genuine and serious dispute between large and small states over representation in the new legislature:

• The Virginia Plan (supported by James Madison) proposed representation based on population, which would give larger states like Virginia more influence.
• The New Jersey Plan (proposed by William Paterson) called for equal representation for each state, regardless of size, protecting smaller states like New Jersey and Delaware.
• The delegate expresses fear that "we may never reach agreement," indicating the dispute felt serious at the time.

These were real proposals debated at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, and the source accurately captures the tension between them.

Does this "prove" the Convention was dominated by disagreements?

The source shows one moment of disagreement, but proving the Convention was "dominated" by disagreements would require evidence that disputes were the defining feature of the entire process. The source has several limitations:

• It captures only one issue (representation) at one point in time (June 1787). The Convention lasted from May to September 1787 and addressed many other issues.
• As a private letter, it reflects the personal anxiety of one delegate, which may not represent the overall mood of the Convention.

What does your own knowledge add?

Using your own knowledge, you can challenge the claim in the question:

• The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise, July 1787) resolved this specific dispute by creating a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives with proportional representation, and the Senate with equal representation (two senators per state).
• Other disagreements were also resolved through compromise, including the Three-Fifths Compromise (counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and taxation) and agreements on the slave trade and the Electoral College.
• While disagreements existed, the Convention's defining achievement was the willingness of delegates to compromise rather than walk away.

Reaching a judgment:

The source provides evidence that disagreements occurred, but it does not prove they "dominated" the Convention. The broader pattern was one of negotiation and compromise. The delegate's fear of failure was understandable in the moment but ultimately unfounded - the Constitution was completed and signed by most delegates in September 1787.

Exam technique: When a question asks "Does this source prove...?", the answer is almost always that the source provides some evidence but cannot prove the claim on its own. Explain what the source shows, identify its limitations, and use your own knowledge to provide a fuller picture.