Question

(CS-4) essay question

The processes of persuasion, compromise, consensus building and negotiation contribute to the resolution of conflicts and
differences. In writing the Constitution and creating the legislative branch, the framers had to compromise on the issue how each
state would be represented in congress.

Identify the plans for structuring congress that were proposed by the small states and the populous states.

Explain the main difference between the two plans identified above.

Name and explain the compromise that was reached to satisfy both groups.

Answer 1

a) The two plans were the Virginia Plan (populous states) and the New Jersey Plan (small states).

b) The Virginia Plan advocated for a bicameral (two-house) legislative branch and for state representation proportion to each state's population density, which favored more populous, larger states. The New Jersey Plan argued for a unicameral (one-house) legislative branch and for state representation to be equal, favoring less populous, smaller states.

c) Both groups eventually compromised in the Great Compromise of 1787, otherwise known as the Connecticut Compromise, which established bicameral legislation, with two branches: the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The House of Representatives held state representatives, which varied with population density like proponents of the Virginia plan wanted. The Senate held senators: two from each state, just as proponents of the New Jersey Plan wanted.