Final answer:
The Great Compromise, suggested by Roger Sherman, was essential to the formation of the U.S. Constitution as it resolved a significant conflict between large and small states by creating a bicameral legislature that balanced their interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Compromise was a turning point in American history. It came about as a solution to a significant deadlock at the Constitutional Convention, which stemmed from a conflict between the larger states and the smaller states over the structure of the new Congress. Large states supported James Madison's Virginia Plan, which proposed representation in Congress based on state population, while small states favored the New Jersey Plan, which called for equal representation regardless of state size.
To resolve this stalemate, Roger Sherman from Connecticut offered the Great Compromise, which combined elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey plans. The Compromise resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature with a dual system of representation: in the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, representation is determined by the population of each state; in the upper chamber, the Senate, each state is represented by two senators regardless of size. This solution was critical for the success of the Convention because it allowed for a balance between the states' interests and was a key factor in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.