how did the great compromise settle the problem of representation in congress?
a. It made all states pay the same and federal taxes.
b. It aloud all states to have equal numbers of representatives in Congress.
c. It gave each state one representative in Congress and two representatives in the House of Representatives.
d. It gave each state two senators, and a number of representatives based on population.
d. It gave each state two senators, and a number of representatives based on population.
The correct answer is d. It gave each state two senators, and a number of representatives based on population.
The correct answer is: d. It gave each state two senators, and a number of representatives based on population.
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a critical solution to the problem of representation in Congress during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It aimed to balance the interests of both small and large states regarding legislative representation.
To understand how the Great Compromise settled the problem, we need to understand the issue it addressed. The states were divided into two groups: the large states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the small states, such as Delaware and New Jersey.
The large states argued that representation in Congress should be based on each state's population. They believed that since their population was larger, they should have more representatives to reflect their higher numbers. This plan was called the Virginia Plan.
On the other hand, the small states feared that they would be overshadowed by the larger states and that their interests would be disregarded. They advocated for equal representation for all states, regardless of population. This proposal was known as the New Jersey Plan.
With these differing proposals, the delegates at the Constitutional Convention faced an impasse. The representatives from Connecticut proposed the Great Compromise as a means to find common ground. It was finally accepted and played a significant role in shaping the structure of the United States Congress.
Under the Great Compromise, Congress became a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The compromise resolved the issue of representation by combining elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
In the Senate, each state would be represented by an equal number of senators, regardless of the state's population. This satisfied the small states' concerns for equal representation and provided them with an influential role in the legislative process.
In the House of Representatives, representation would be based on population. The more populous states would have more representatives, giving larger states a voice that reflects their population size and influence.
Ultimately, this compromise struck a balance between the interests of both small and large states. It ensured that all states had an equal say in the Senate, while also recognizing the proportionate influence of larger states in the House of Representatives.
So, the Great Compromise settled the problem of representation by establishing a bicameral Congress with two senators per state (equal representation) and a House of Representatives with representation based on population.