Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Definition

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise was an agreement made during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that established a dual system of congressional representation. It combined elements from both the Virginia Plan, which favored larger states with representation based on population, and the New Jersey Plan, which favored smaller states with equal representation. This compromise was crucial in shaping the structure of Congress and played a significant role in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Compromise was proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, delegates from Connecticut, and was adopted on July 16, 1787.
2. It established the House of Representatives, where representation is based on state populations, and the Senate, where each state has equal representation with two senators.
3. This compromise helped bridge the gap between large and small states, ensuring that all states had a voice in the legislative process.
4. The Great Compromise was essential for securing support for the new Constitution among both large and small states during the ratification process.
5. It set a precedent for future compromises in American politics, highlighting the importance of negotiation and consensus in governance.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Compromise resolve the conflict between large and small states during the Constitutional Convention?
  • The Great Compromise resolved the conflict by creating a bicameral legislature with two different methods of representation. In the House of Representatives, representation is based on population, benefiting larger states. Meanwhile, in the Senate, each state is granted equal representation with two senators regardless of size, which addresses the concerns of smaller states. This dual system ensured that both large and small states had a fair voice in Congress.
• Discuss how the Great Compromise influenced the ratification debates surrounding the U.S. Constitution.
  • The Great Compromise played a pivotal role in the ratification debates by providing a balanced structure for Congress that appealed to both supporters and opponents of the Constitution. It addressed key concerns from smaller states about losing power in a population-based system while satisfying larger states' demands for proportional representation. By finding this middle ground, the compromise helped secure broader support for ratification among diverse factions across different states.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Great Compromise on American federalism and political representation.
  • The Great Compromise established a foundational element of American federalism by creating a balanced legislative structure that persists today. It has ensured that both populous and less populous states are represented in government, contributing to a sense of unity while allowing for regional diversity. Over time, this compromise has influenced debates on political representation and power distribution, as it laid the groundwork for future discussions about how best to balance competing interests within a federal system.

Related terms

Virginia Plan: A proposal for a new constitution that called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favoring larger states.

New Jersey Plan: A proposal that aimed to maintain equal representation for all states in a unicameral legislature, favoring smaller states.

Bicameral Legislature:

A legislative body composed of two chambers or houses, which in the U.S. Congress are the House of Representatives and the Senate.