The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was integral to the formation of the United States Constitution. It addressed the contentious issue of representation in Congress, balancing the interests of both large and small states.
Analysis of the Great Compromise:
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Bicameral Legislature: The compromise established a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. This allowed for a dual approach to representation.
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House of Representatives: Representation in the House is based on population, which favored larger states. States with larger populations would have more representatives, reflecting the proportionality of their population size.
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Senate: In contrast, the Senate provides equal representation, with each state receiving two senators regardless of its size or population. This element ensured that smaller states had an equal voice in the legislative process.
Resolution of the Dilemma:
The Great Compromise effectively reconciled the competing interests of states with large populations and those with smaller populations by ensuring that:
- Larger states benefited from proportional representation in the House of Representatives, allowing them to exert influence that reflected their population size.
- Smaller states maintained an equal level of representation in the Senate, alleviating their concerns over being overshadowed by the larger states.
Thus, the Great Compromise provided both a plan for equality (in the Senate) and proportionality (in the House), which allowed for a balanced distribution of power among the states.
Correct Response: It provided both a plan for equality and proportionality among the states.