Isabella Carter
The Great Compromise of 1787, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a crucial agreement reached by the framers of the U.S. Constitution. It addressed the contentious issue of congressional representation, proposing a dual system with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. This compromise aimed to balance the interests of large and small states, ensuring that both were fairly represented in the legislative process. The Great Compromise was a pivotal moment in the drafting of the Constitution, resolving a major point of contention and paving the way for the establishment of the U.S. Congress as we know it today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1787 |
| Other names | Connecticut Compromise |
| Purpose | To resolve the issue of congressional representation |
| Proposed by | Roger Sherman and other delegates from Connecticut |
| Proposed during | Constitutional Convention |
| Venue | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Legislative structure | Bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives |
| Senate representation | Equal representation for all states |
| House of Representatives representation | Proportional representation based on state population |
| Passed by | A single vote |
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What You'll Learn
- The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was agreed upon in 1787
- It resolved disputes between small and large states over representation in the federal government
- The compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation in the Senate and House
- The Virginia Plan called for representation based on state population, while the New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for each state
- The Great Compromise was a crucial turning point in the drafting of the US Constitution
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was agreed upon in 1787
The Great Compromise stipulated that each state would be assigned a number of seats in the House of Representatives in proportion to its population. This was a victory for Madison and Wilson, who had fought for representation in the House. In the Senate, however, all states would have equal representation, with the same number of seats. This was a defeat for Madison and others who had advocated for proportional representation in the Senate.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 were heavily divided over the issue of representation in Congress. The Virginia Plan, introduced on May 29, 1787, proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in both houses based on the size of the state. Delegates from smaller states objected to this idea, arguing that it gave larger states too much power in the central government. The small-state delegates' protests became increasingly heated, threatening to derail the proceedings.
To resolve these concerns, a compromise committee, known as the "Grand Committee," was formed. The committee proposed the Great Compromise, which was adopted by a single vote on July 16, 1787. This compromise allayed the fears of both large and small states by diffusing legislative power between the two chambers of Congress, promoting the separation of powers, federalism, and individual rights.
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It resolved disputes between small and large states over representation in the federal government
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a plan proposed during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. It resolved disputes between small and large states over representation in the federal government, specifically in Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention established equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives. This plan for congressional representation resolved one of the most controversial aspects of the drafting of the Constitution.
The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph, proposed a bicameral national legislature, with the "rights of suffrage" in both houses being proportional to the size of the state. However, delegates from small states objected to this idea, arguing that it would give larger states too much power in the central government. The dispute was so contentious that the small-state delegates threatened to unravel the proceedings.
To resolve the dispute, a "Grand Committee" was appointed, which proposed the Great Compromise. In the House of Representatives, each state would be assigned a number of seats in proportion to its population, while in the Senate, all states would have equal representation with the same number of seats. This compromise ensured that both large and small states had their concerns addressed and felt fairly represented in the federal government.
The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman and other Connecticut delegates, was adopted by a single vote. It played a crucial role in shaping the structure of Congress and ensuring the balance of power between small and large states in the United States federal government.
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The compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation in the Senate and House
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a crucial agreement reached by the framers of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. It addressed the contentious issue of congressional representation, resulting in a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation in the Senate and House of Representatives.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia were divided over the representation in each branch of Congress. Larger states argued for proportional representation, claiming that their greater contribution to the nation's resources entitled them to more weight in the central government. On the other hand, small-state delegates vehemently objected and demanded equal representation in the Senate.
The Convention appointed a ""Grand Committee," including Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth from Connecticut, to resolve the dispute. The committee proposed the Great Compromise, which provided for a dual system of representation. In the House of Representatives, each state would be assigned a number of seats proportional to its population, while in the Senate, all states would have equal representation with the same number of seats.
This compromise allayed the fears of both large and small states by diffusing legislative power between the two chambers of Congress. It ensured that legislative decisions required the agreement of both houses, promoting checks and balances within the government.
The Great Compromise, which passed by a single vote, was a pivotal moment in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. It demonstrated the delegates' ability to negotiate and find common ground, preventing a potential unraveling of the Constitutional Convention.
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The Virginia Plan called for representation based on state population, while the New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for each state
The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan, was a proposal for a strong central government with a supreme national government and three branches, including a bicameral legislature. James Madison, a delegate from Virginia, believed that Congress needed compulsory taxation authority as well as the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. He also believed that representation in the national legislature should be apportioned according to a state's wealth or the size of its non-slave population. This would give states with larger populations, like Virginia, more representation and power.
The Virginia Plan was introduced at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which took place from May 25 to September 17 in Philadelphia. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was the first plan of government for the United States. The Articles were criticised for creating a weak central government that lacked the authority to address the nation's problems effectively.
In response to the Virginia Plan, the less populous states proposed the New Jersey Plan, also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan. This plan aimed to retain the one-vote-per-state representation under a unicameral legislature, as outlined in the Articles of Confederation. The New Jersey Plan sought to protect the interests of smaller states by ensuring equal representation for each state, regardless of population size.
The New Jersey Plan was introduced on June 15, 1787, by William Paterson of New Jersey, with assistance from delegates from Connecticut, Maryland, and New York. Despite its proposal, the New Jersey Plan faced heavy criticism from delegates of more populous states and failed to gain sufficient support. On June 19, the delegates rejected the New Jersey Plan, with three states voting in favour, seven against, and one divided.
To resolve the impasse, a compromise committee was formed, which proposed what became known as the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise. The Great Compromise suggested a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives apportioned by population as favoured by the Virginia Plan, and the Senate apportioned equally by state as desired by the New Jersey Plan. This compromise addressed the concerns of both large and small states, ensuring fair representation in the legislature.
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The Great Compromise was a crucial turning point in the drafting of the US Constitution
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a crucial turning point in the drafting of the US Constitution. It resolved the most controversial aspect of the drafting of the Constitution, establishing a dual system of congressional representation. The Compromise was proposed by Roger Sherman and other delegates from Connecticut and was adopted by a single vote.
The Compromise addressed the issue of representation in Congress, which had been a point of contention among the states. The larger states argued that they contributed more financially and defensively to the nation and, therefore, deserved greater representation in the central government. On the other hand, small-state delegates advocated for equal representation in the Senate. The Great Compromise proposed a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the House, each state would be assigned a number of seats proportional to its population, while in the Senate, all states would have equal representation.
This compromise allayed the fears of both large and small states by diffusing legislative power between the two chambers of Congress. It promoted the principles of separation of powers, federalism, and the protection of individual rights. The structure of Congress, as achieved under the Great Compromise, ensured that legislation would have to pass through an intricate process involving multiple constitutional actors, reducing the risk of hasty and ill-considered decisions.
The Great Compromise was a pivotal moment in the drafting of the US Constitution, as it resolved the contentious issue of congressional representation and paved the way for the finalisation of the Constitution. It demonstrated the delegates' ability to negotiate and find common ground, even on highly divisive issues, and set a precedent for compromise and collaboration in the formation of the nation's governing document.
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Frequently asked questions
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution.
The dispute was between small and large states over the apportionment of representation in the new federal government. Delegates from larger, more populous states favored the Virginia Plan, which called for each state to have a different number of representatives based on the state’s population. Delegates from smaller states supported the New Jersey Plan, under which each state would send the same number of representatives to Congress.
The resolution was a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation in the Senate and House. In the upper house or Senate, each state would have equal representation, and in the lower house or House of Representatives, each state would have a number of representatives proportional to its population.
