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, emerged during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a pivotal solution to the contentious debate between large and small states regarding legislative representation. Large states favored the Virginia Plan, which proposed representation based on population, while smaller states supported the New Jersey Plan, advocating for equal representation regardless of size. This conflict threatened the convention's progress and the very framework of the newly proposed government. The Great Compromise resolved this issue by establishing a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives apportioned by population and the Senate providing equal representation with two senators from each state. This balanced approach not only satisfied the interests of both factions but also laid the groundwork for a more integrated federal system, significantly influencing the structure of American governance. Alternatives, which included maintaining the Articles of Confederation or adopting a purely unicameral system, ultimately fell short of addressing the needs of a growing nation, thus underscoring the importance of the compromise.