The great compromise settled a dispute between which two groups?
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, settled a dispute between the large states and the small states during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Explanation
In the early years of the United States, the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate for governing the newly independent states. As the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia in 1787, delegates faced a significant challenge: how to create a new government that balanced the interests of states with large populations against those with smaller populations.
Large states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, supported the Virginia Plan, which proposed a bicameral legislature where representation in both houses would be based on state population. This plan favored larger states, allowing them greater influence in the legislative process due to their larger populations.
Conversely, smaller states, such as New Jersey and Delaware, advocated for the New Jersey Plan, which called for a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation regardless of its population size. This approach aimed to protect the interests of smaller states, ensuring they would not be overpowered by the larger states.
The Great Compromise emerged as a solution that blended elements from both plans. It proposed a bicameral legislature with two distinct chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the House, representation would be based on population, favoring larger states. In contrast, the Senate would provide equal representation, with each state having two senators, thereby protecting the interests of smaller states.
This compromise was critical in facilitating the creation of the United States Constitution. It ensured that both large and small states had a voice in the legislative process, helping to achieve broader support for the new Constitution and laying the foundation for the federal government. The Great Compromise remains a key moment in American history, showcasing the importance of negotiation and compromise in the democratic process.