Question

Explain "The Great Compromise" using parts from the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

"The Great Compromise" combined elements from the Virginia and New Jersey Plans to create a bicameral legislature. The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on a state's population, while the New Jersey Plan suggested equal representation for each state.

Answer 1

The Great Compromise was an agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature, incorporating elements from both the Virginia Plan (representation by population) and the New Jersey Plan (equal state representation).

Step-by-step explanation:

The Great Compromise

The Great Compromise was a pivotal moment in American History, representing a blend of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, and paving the way for the Constitution's bicameral legislature. The Virginia Plan proposed a legislative structure based on state population, favoring larger states, while the New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation regardless of state size, a feature preferred by smaller states.

Roger Sherman of Connecticut, along with the committee, presented the Great Compromise, which led to the creation of two chambers in Congress: the Senate with equal representation of two senators per state, and the House of Representatives with representation based on population. This dual house system allowed for both representation by population and equal state representation, satisfying the big and small states respectively and maintaining a federal character within the legislature. As such, this compromise was foundational to the structure of the US government.