what impact did the great compromise have on the structure of the legislative branch
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, had a significant impact on the structure of the legislative branch by establishing a bicameral legislature with representation based on both population and equality among states.
The structure of the legislative branch was a major point of contention during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. States with larger populations, such as Virginia, advocated for a legislature based solely on population, as they believed it would give them greater influence. On the other hand, smaller states like New Jersey feared that this approach would marginalize their interests.
The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut, resolved this conflict by creating a two-chamber legislature. In the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, representation is based on population, ensuring that larger states have greater influence. In the upper chamber, the Senate, each state is represented equally with two senators, regardless of population size. This preserved the equality among states.
The Great Compromise thus struck a balance between the interests of large and small states and ensured their participation in the legislative process. It prevented domination by the more populous states, which was a concern of smaller states, while still giving larger states a degree of proportional representation.
This compromise also facilitated the ratification of the Constitution. It allowed delegates from different states to find common ground and reach a consensus, which was crucial for establishing a strong central government.
Overall, the Great Compromise shaped the structure of the legislative branch by creating a bicameral system that combined both proportional and equal representation, thereby influencing the balance of power and ensuring the involvement of states of different sizes.