Great Compromise: Senate and House Explained — Reading Comprehension

The Great Compromise of 1787 settled one of the most important debates at the Constitutional Convention. Delegates from the thirteen states disagreed about how states should be represented in the new national legislature. Some states were much larger in population than others, and this created a major conflict over fairness and power.

Larger states like Virginia argued that representation should be based on population. This plan, called the Virginia Plan, would give more influence to states with more people. Smaller states such as New Jersey disagreed. They feared that large states would control the government and ignore the needs of less populous states. The New Jersey Plan proposed that each state have the same number of representatives, no matter its size.

These competing ideas created a deadlock. The Convention could not move forward without a solution. Some delegates worried the new United States might fall apart if an agreement was not reached. In the words of delegate Roger Sherman, "If the states do not agree, we risk the union itself." This quote highlights the seriousness of the disagreements and the urgent need for compromise.

The compromise that emerged, known as the Connecticut Compromise or Great Compromise, combined both plans. The legislature would have two chambers or houses. In the Senate, each state would have two senators, making representation equal for all states. In the House of Representatives, the number of representatives would depend on the state's population. This structure is called a bicameral legislature.

The effects of the compromise were complex. Small states gained equal power in the Senate, while large states gained more influence in the House. This helped balance the interests of different regions and prevented one group from dominating. However, the compromise also meant that some voices could be overrepresented or underrepresented, depending on the issue. The solution was not perfect, but it allowed the delegates to move forward and create the U.S. Constitution.

Different delegates had different motivations. Large-state delegates accepted the compromise because they would have more representatives in the House. Small-state delegates agreed because they wanted to protect their independence in the Senate. Some, like James Madison, worried that the system might not be entirely fair, but they recognized it was the only way to unite the country. This debate shows that democracy often requires difficult choices and practical solutions.

The Great Compromise had lasting consequences. It shaped the structure of the U.S. Congress and influenced how laws are made today. The system encourages negotiation and cooperation between states of all sizes. It also shows that American government was built on both conflict and cooperation. The compromise became a model for resolving disagreements in a complex society.

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: The U.S. Senate today still has two senators from each state, no matter how large or small the state is.

What year was the Great Compromise?

Which state supported equal representation?

How many senators does each state have?

Why did large states prefer the Virginia Plan?

What was a consequence of the compromise?

What does Roger Sherman's quote show?

The U.S. Congress is bicameral. True or false?

What is a compromise?