Question
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, resolved the contentious debate over state representation at the Constitutional Convention. Proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, it combined elements of both the New Jersey and Virginia Plans. The compromise established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives granting representation based on population (from the Virginia Plan) and the Senate providing equal representation for all states (from the New Jersey Plan). This agreement balanced the interests of both large and small states and was essential for the Constitutions ratification. How did the Great Compromise balance the needs of both groups, and what was its long-term impact on the structure of Congress? After weeks of debate two representatives from Connecticut named Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth proposed an agreement called the “Connecticut Compromise” which later became known as the “Great Compromise”. Under the terms of the "Great Compromise”, the federal government would be divided into three separate but equal branches (parts), each with their own specific powers, duties, and responsibilities. These three branches would be:
(1) Legislative Branch (Congress) - primary job function is to Create Laws.
(2) Executive Branch (President) - primary job functions are to Approve or Veto (cancel) Laws.
(3) Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) - primary job function is to interpret the Constitutionality of the Laws.
The "Great Compromise" also would keep a Bicameral (two houses: upper and lower) Legislative Branch. The first lower house of Congress would be called the House of Representatives and be based on a state's population. In the House of Representatives, higher populated states would have more political representation and law-making power. Each state would receive one representative per 30,000 people living in their state. If a state didn’t have at least 30,000 people – it was still given at one representative in the House of Representatives. The second upper house of Congress would be called the Senate and based on equal representation. This house of Congress benefited supporters of the "New Jersey Plan". In the Senate, every state regardless of population size and wealth would have two representatives called "Senators". The House of Representatives and Senate both have their own special roles and responsibilities within the Legislative Branch, and they would both be able to write laws within their own house. However, they would need have the approval of the other house for it to be submitted to the Executive Branch for approval. Despite all the states agreeing upon the Great Compromise, another issue regarding slavery and state representation would threaten to end the Constitutional Convention…TO BE CONTINUED.
The Great Compromise
1. What issue did the Great Compromise resolve at the Constitutional Convention?
2. How did the Great Compromise combine elements of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans?
3. What structure of Congress did the Great Compromise establish?
4. How did the Great Compromise address representation in the Senate?
5. How did the Great Compromise address representation in the House of Representatives?
6. Why was the Great Compromise essential for the ratification of the Constitution?
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, resolved the contentious debate over state representation at the Constitutional Convention. Proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, it combined elements of both the New Jersey and Virginia Plans. The compromise established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives granting representation based on population (from the Virginia Plan) and the Senate providing equal representation for all states (from the New Jersey Plan). This agreement balanced the interests of both large and small states and was essential for the Constitutions ratification. How did the Great Compromise balance the needs of both groups, and what was its long-term impact on the structure of Congress? After weeks of debate two representatives from Connecticut named Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth proposed an agreement called the “Connecticut Compromise” which later became known as the “Great Compromise”. Under the terms of the "Great Compromise”, the federal government would be divided into three separate but equal branches (parts), each with their own specific powers, duties, and responsibilities. These three branches would be:
(1) Legislative Branch (Congress) - primary job function is to Create Laws.
(2) Executive Branch (President) - primary job functions are to Approve or Veto (cancel) Laws.
(3) Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) - primary job function is to interpret the Constitutionality of the Laws.
The "Great Compromise" also would keep a Bicameral (two houses: upper and lower) Legislative Branch. The first lower house of Congress would be called the House of Representatives and be based on a state's population. In the House of Representatives, higher populated states would have more political representation and law-making power. Each state would receive one representative per 30,000 people living in their state. If a state didn’t have at least 30,000 people – it was still given at one representative in the House of Representatives. The second upper house of Congress would be called the Senate and based on equal representation. This house of Congress benefited supporters of the "New Jersey Plan". In the Senate, every state regardless of population size and wealth would have two representatives called "Senators". The House of Representatives and Senate both have their own special roles and responsibilities within the Legislative Branch, and they would both be able to write laws within their own house. However, they would need have the approval of the other house for it to be submitted to the Executive Branch for approval. Despite all the states agreeing upon the Great Compromise, another issue regarding slavery and state representation would threaten to end the Constitutional Convention…TO BE CONTINUED.
The Great Compromise
1. What issue did the Great Compromise resolve at the Constitutional Convention?
2. How did the Great Compromise combine elements of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans?
3. What structure of Congress did the Great Compromise establish?
4. How did the Great Compromise address representation in the Senate?
5. How did the Great Compromise address representation in the House of Representatives?
6. Why was the Great Compromise essential for the ratification of the Constitution?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
1. **What issue did the Great Compromise resolve at the Constitutional Convention?**
The Great Compromise resolved the contentious debate over how states should be represented in the new national legislature. The disagreement primarily stemmed from whether representation should be based on population (favoring larger states) or whether each state should have equal representation (favoring smaller states).
2. **How did the Great Compromise combine elements of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans?**
The Great Compromise combined elements of both plans by establishing a bicameral legislature. It adopted the Virginia Plan's proposal for the House of Representatives, where representation is based on state population, and incorporated the New Jersey Plan's idea for the Senate, where each state has equal representation regardless of size or population.
3. **What structure of Congress did the Great Compromise establish?**
The Great Compromise established a bicameral (two-house) legislature known as Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This structure allowed for both population-based and equal representation at the federal level.
4. **How did the Great Compromise address representation in the Senate?**
The Great Compromise stipulated that each state would have two senators, providing equal representation for all states in the Senate. This meant that regardless of a state's population, each would have the same number of senators (two), which benefitted smaller states.
5. **How did the Great Compromise address representation in the House of Representatives?**
In the House of Representatives, representation was based on the population of each state. States would receive one representative for each 30,000 people, ensuring that higher population states had more representatives and, therefore, greater influence in the law-making process. Additionally, states with fewer than 30,000 people would still receive at least one representative.
6. **Why was the Great Compromise essential for the ratification of the Constitution?**
The Great Compromise was essential for the ratification of the Constitution because it was a key agreement that allowed both larger and smaller states to feel adequately represented in the federal government. By balancing the interests of these states, the compromise helped to foster unity among the states and facilitated broader support for the Constitution, thereby increasing the likelihood of its ratification. Without this compromise, the divisions over representation might have led to the failure of the Constitutional Convention and the creation of a functional national government.
The Great Compromise resolved the contentious debate over how states should be represented in the new national legislature. The disagreement primarily stemmed from whether representation should be based on population (favoring larger states) or whether each state should have equal representation (favoring smaller states).
2. **How did the Great Compromise combine elements of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans?**
The Great Compromise combined elements of both plans by establishing a bicameral legislature. It adopted the Virginia Plan's proposal for the House of Representatives, where representation is based on state population, and incorporated the New Jersey Plan's idea for the Senate, where each state has equal representation regardless of size or population.
3. **What structure of Congress did the Great Compromise establish?**
The Great Compromise established a bicameral (two-house) legislature known as Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This structure allowed for both population-based and equal representation at the federal level.
4. **How did the Great Compromise address representation in the Senate?**
The Great Compromise stipulated that each state would have two senators, providing equal representation for all states in the Senate. This meant that regardless of a state's population, each would have the same number of senators (two), which benefitted smaller states.
5. **How did the Great Compromise address representation in the House of Representatives?**
In the House of Representatives, representation was based on the population of each state. States would receive one representative for each 30,000 people, ensuring that higher population states had more representatives and, therefore, greater influence in the law-making process. Additionally, states with fewer than 30,000 people would still receive at least one representative.
6. **Why was the Great Compromise essential for the ratification of the Constitution?**
The Great Compromise was essential for the ratification of the Constitution because it was a key agreement that allowed both larger and smaller states to feel adequately represented in the federal government. By balancing the interests of these states, the compromise helped to foster unity among the states and facilitated broader support for the Constitution, thereby increasing the likelihood of its ratification. Without this compromise, the divisions over representation might have led to the failure of the Constitutional Convention and the creation of a functional national government.