ID: Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
When: July 1787
Who:
- Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth (Connecticut Delegates) proposed the compromise.
- William Paterson proposed the New Jersey Plan, favoring smaller states.
- James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, favoring larger states.
What:
A major compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention|Constitutional Convention that resolved the issue of representation in the legislative branch. It combined elements of the Virginia Plan, which favored representation based on population (benefiting larger states), and the New Jersey Plan, which proposed equal representation for each state regardless of size (benefiting smaller states).
Key Features of the Compromise:
- Bicameral Legislature: Created a two-house Congress:
- Senate: Each state would have equal representation (2 senators per state).
- House of Representatives: Representation would be based on the population of each state.
Impact? Why Significant?:
- Saved the Convention: The Great Compromise resolved a major deadlock that threatened the entire Constitutional Convention|Constitutional Convention.
- Shaped the U.S. Government: The bicameral legislature with its distinct features remains a cornerstone of the U.S. government today.
- Balance of Power: It established a balance of power between larger and smaller states, ensuring that both had a voice in the federal government. This balance remains a key characteristic of American democracy.
- Legacy of Compromise: The Great Compromise demonstrated the importance of compromise in a democracy and set a precedent for resolving future conflicts through negotiation.