The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, played a critical role in the formation of the United States Constitution. It was an agreement that settled a contentious dispute between the large and small states about representation in the legislative branch of the government. Without this agreement, there might not have been a Constitution, and the United States as we know it today might not exist. In this article, we will explore the Great Compromise, its implications, and how it was reached.

Background

During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the delegates were divided on the issue of representation in the legislature. The larger states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, argued that representation should be based on population. They believed that the more populous states should have more power in the legislative branch.

On the other hand, the smaller states, such as Delaware and New Jersey, feared that under a population-based system, they would be overshadowed by the larger states. They proposed that representation should be equal for all states, regardless of population.

There seemed to be no way to reconcile these two competing positions until Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut, proposed the Great Compromise.

The Great Compromise

The Great Compromise was a proposal that called for a bicameral, or two-house, legislature. The lower house, the House of Representatives, would be apportioned based on population, while the upper house, the Senate, would have equal representation for all states.

In the House of Representatives, the number of seats each state would receive would be based on its population. The larger states would have more representatives, while the smaller states would have fewer.

In the Senate, each state would have an equal number of seats, regardless of its population. This meant that Delaware, with a population of fewer than 60,000 people, would have the same number of senators as Virginia, with a population of more than 700,000 people.

Implications

The Great Compromise was a crucial moment in the history of the United States. It allowed the delegates at the Constitutional Convention to reach a compromise on the contentious issue of representation in the legislative branch, which had been threatening to derail the entire process.

The compromise also ensured that both the large and small states would have a voice in the government. The larger states would have more power in the House of Representatives, while the smaller states would have an equal say in the Senate.

Finally, the Great Compromise established the framework for the United States government that would endure for over two centuries. Today, the House of Representatives and the Senate remain the two chambers of Congress, and the system of representation established by the Great Compromise is still in place.

Conclusion

The Great Compromise was a critical moment in the formation of the United States Constitution. It allowed the delegates at the Constitutional Convention to reach a compromise on the contentious issue of representation in the legislative branch and ensured that both the large and small states had a voice in the government. The Great Compromise established the framework for the United States government that we still use today, and its legacy continues to shape our country`s political landscape.