The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that established a bicameral legislature in the United States. This compromise combined elements from both the Virginia Plan, which favored larger states with proportional representation, and the New Jersey Plan, which favored smaller states with equal representation. By creating a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state, this compromise played a crucial role in shaping the legislative structure of the new government.
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The Great Compromise was proposed by Roger Sherman and was critical in easing tensions between large and small states during the Constitutional Convention.
The House of Representatives, created as part of this compromise, has members apportioned based on state populations, allowing larger states to have more representatives.
The Senate, established through the Great Compromise, consists of two senators from each state, regardless of population, ensuring equal representation.
The Great Compromise was essential for gaining support from various factions, enabling the Constitution to be drafted and ratified successfully.
Without the Great Compromise, it's likely that the Constitutional Convention would have failed due to disagreements over representation, leading to a different structure of government.
Review Questions
How did the Great Compromise address the differing needs of large and small states during the Constitutional Convention?
The Great Compromise skillfully balanced the interests of both large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature. In this system, the House of Representatives allocated representatives based on state populations, giving larger states more influence. Meanwhile, each state received equal representation in the Senate, ensuring that smaller states had a voice in the legislative process. This dual approach helped to prevent potential conflicts between states of varying sizes and ultimately led to a more unified agreement on governance.
Evaluate the impact of the Great Compromise on the ratification process of the U.S. Constitution.
The Great Compromise significantly influenced the ratification process by addressing critical concerns about representation that varied across states. By creating a framework where both population-based and equal representation were incorporated, it garnered support from factions that otherwise might have opposed the Constitution. The compromise reassured smaller states that they would not be overshadowed by larger ones, thereby fostering broader consensus. This critical support was instrumental in ensuring that enough states ratified the Constitution for it to take effect.
Assess how the principles established by the Great Compromise continue to affect American governance today.
The principles set forth by the Great Compromise still resonate within American governance, particularly in how Congress operates. The bicameral structure ensures that both populous and less populous states have a role in shaping legislation through their respective houses. This dual approach allows for diverse interests to be represented in federal decision-making processes. Moreover, debates surrounding representation and fairness continue to emerge in discussions about potential reforms to Congress and voting rights, highlighting the lasting legacy of this compromise in addressing issues of equity among states.
A proposal that aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation and called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
Bicameral Legislature: A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States.