Final answer:
The framers addressed the concerns about representation from small versus large states with the Connecticut Compromise, resulting in a bicameral Congress with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House of Representatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the framers of the United States Constitution met in 1787, they faced the daunting task of creating a new government that balanced the interests of both small and large states. Small states were concerned about being overshadowed by more populous states and sought a structure that would secure their interests. Conversely, large states argued for a representation based on population, to ensure that their larger populations had a correspondingly larger voice.
The conflict was addressed by the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, which led to a bicameral legislature. This compromise created two houses in Congress: the Senate, which would have equal representation from each state with two senators, and the House of Representatives, where representation would be based on the state's population.
This dual system was designed to ensure a balance of power, protecting both the principle of equal states and proportional representation.
The resolution through the Great Compromise illustrates the framers' commitment to establishing a federal government that could manage commercial interests, maintain order, and protect against external and internal threats, all while balancing the principles of federalism and representation.