Explain the Connecticut Plan.
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress could not declare war or establish an army.
Congress could not levy taxes.
Congress could not control trade.
Not all the states were represented in Congress.
There was no national court system.
There was no executive to enforce the laws.
Congress could not negotiate with foreign governments.
Nine of the states had to agree to pass a law.
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The Connecticut Plan, also known as the Great Compromise, was a proposal made during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to determine the structure of representation in the newly formed United States government. To fully understand the Connecticut Plan, it's important to know the context in which it was proposed.
During the Constitutional Convention, delegates from different states held differing opinions on how representation should be determined. There were two main plans that were being debated: the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.
The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on a state's population. This plan favored the larger states as they would have a greater number of representatives and therefore more influence on legislation. On the other hand, the smaller states like New Jersey were concerned that their interests would be overshadowed by the larger states.
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of size. This plan favored the smaller states, as it ensured that they would have an equal say in the legislative process.
With these two plans at odds with each other, it seemed almost impossible to reach a consensus. However, it was Roger Sherman of Connecticut who proposed a compromise solution, which became known as the Connecticut Plan or the Great Compromise.
The Connecticut Plan suggested a bicameral legislature, combining elements from both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. In the lower house, known as the House of Representatives, representation would be based on a state's population, satisfying the concerns of the larger states. In the upper house, known as the Senate, each state would have an equal number of representatives, granting the smaller states an equal voice.
This compromise ensured that both the larger and smaller states were appeased. It struck a balance between proportional representation and equal representation, allowing the population to have a voice while also ensuring that the interests of smaller states were not marginalized.
In summary, the Connecticut Plan or the Great Compromise proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation in the upper house. It was a crucial compromise that helped shape the structure of the United States government as we know it today.