Final answer:
The Great Compromise had positive aspects such as ensuring fair representation and a balanced federal structure in the U.S. Constitution. However, it also allowed for the continuation of slavery and did not fully address the issue of representation for slaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a key solution proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to address the allocation of power between large and small states. It had both positive and negative aspects:
- Positives: It established a bicameral congress with two houses - the Senate and the House of Representatives. This compromise satisfied the concerns of small states by giving them equal representation in the Senate, while also considering the population of each state in the House of Representatives. This balanced approach strengthened the federal structure of the United States and ensured fair representation.
- Negatives: The compromise allowed for the continuation of slavery and did not fully address the issue of representation for slaves. It stated that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for determining the state's population. This compromise perpetuated the inequality and injustice of slavery.
Overall, the Great Compromise played a crucial role in forming the U.S. Constitution and providing a framework for representation, but it also had its shortcomings in addressing the issue of slavery.