what was the purpose of the Great Compromise? What did it say about representation in Congress?
The purpose of the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was to resolve the issue of representation in Congress. It was proposed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a solution to the contentious debate between large and small states.
The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature with two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives would have representation based on the population of each state, while the Senate would have equal representation with two senators per state.
This compromise struck a balance between the demands of larger states, who wanted representation based on population, and smaller states, who feared they would be overshadowed by their more populous counterparts. It showed that representation in Congress would be a mix of both proportional representation and equal representation, thereby satisfying the concerns of both large and small states.
The purpose of the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was to resolve the issue of representation in Congress during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787.
The Great Compromise proposed a two-part solution. First, it called for a bicameral legislature, meaning that Congress would consist of two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Second, it addressed the issue of representation within these chambers.
In regard to representation in the House of Representatives, the Great Compromise adopted the concept of proportional representation. This meant that the number of representatives each state would have in the House would be based on the population of that state. The more populous a state, the more representatives it would have, reflecting the principle of "one person, one vote."
In contrast, when it came to the Senate, the Great Compromise introduced the concept of equal representation. Each state, regardless of its population, would have an equal number of senators. Initially, this compromise called for two senators per state, which has remained in effect until today.
Therefore, the Great Compromise balanced the interests of both larger and smaller states by providing proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.