In a 12tg graders response. In a paragraph, analyze the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention. What problem did it solve? What were the alternatives?

Answer 1

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a pivotal solution reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, addressing the contentious issue of representation in the newly proposed legislature. Prior to the compromise, delegates were divided between the Virginia Plan, which favored representation based on state population, and the New Jersey Plan, which advocated for equal representation for each state regardless of size. This division threatened to derail the convention, as larger states sought greater influence while smaller states feared marginalization. The Great Compromise resolved this deadlock by establishing a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives, where representation would be proportional to population, and a Senate, where each state would have equal representation with two senators. This innovative structure not only balanced the interests of both large and small states but also laid the groundwork for a functional federal government. By finding common ground, the Great Compromise was instrumental in paving the way for the Constitution's eventual ratification.