At the Constitutional Convention, what was the reason for the conflict between states with large populations and states with small populations?
Responses
A representation in Congressrepresentation in Congress
B slaveryslavery
C taxationtaxation
D power of the states
A Representation in Congress.
A) The reason for the conflict between states with large populations and states with small populations at the Constitutional Convention was representation in Congress.
The reason for the conflict between states with large populations and states with small populations at the Constitutional Convention can be understood by considering the issue of representation in Congress.
To get a precise answer, we need to review the historical context and the discussions that took place during the Constitutional Convention. The Convention was held in 1787 to address the weaknesses of the existing Articles of Confederation and to create a stronger central government for the newly formed United States.
During the Convention, there were disagreements about how to allocate representation in Congress. States with large populations, such as Virginia, argued that representation should be based on population size. They believed that their larger populations should grant them more seats in Congress, as they would have a greater stake in legislative decisions.
On the other hand, states with small populations, like Delaware, were concerned about being overshadowed by the larger states. They feared that a system based solely on population would give too much power to the larger states and undermine the interests of smaller states.
To reconcile these conflicting views, a compromise known as the Great Compromise, or the Connecticut Compromise, was reached. This compromise established a bicameral legislature consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
In the House of Representatives, representation would be based on population size. This satisfied the larger states because they would have more seats in proportion to their population.
In the Senate, however, representation would be equal for all states, regardless of population. Each state would receive two senators, ensuring that the smaller states had equal say in the legislative process.
Therefore, the conflict between states with large populations and states with small populations at the Constitutional Convention centered around the issue of representation in Congress. The compromise reached with the establishment of a bicameral legislature balanced the concerns of both sides and created a system that gave both large and small states a voice in the new government.