What is the Great Compromise?

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a pivotal agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that established a bicameral legislature in the United States Congress. This compromise was essential in addressing the concerns of both large and small states regarding representation.

Under this framework, the legislature consists of two houses: the House of Representatives, where representation is based on the population of each state, and the Senate, where each state has equal representation with two senators regardless of size. This balanced approach allowed for a fair representation system that catered to the interests of states with varying populations, thus helping to unify the states into a single federal government.

By establishing this bicameral structure, the Great Compromise not only formed the basis for how Congress operates today but also helped to resolve some of the significant disagreements that could have derailed the entire process of forming the United States Constitution.