How does the Connecticut Compromise influence the structure of our federal government today?

The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787, played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the United States federal government as it stands today. The compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, which is a two-chamber system of representation in Congress.

The compromise merged two plans that had been proposed for legislative structure:

1. The Virginia Plan, which suggested representation in the national legislature should be based on each state's population or wealth. This plan was favored by larger states because it would give them more power in the legislature. 2. The New Jersey Plan, which proposed that each state should have one vote in Congress, regardless of size. This was favored by the smaller states, which feared being dominated by the larger ones.

Under the Connecticut Compromise, the federal government was given two houses:

1. The House of Representatives, where the number of representatives for each state is based on its population. This satisfies the larger states because they would have a greater influence due to their larger populations. 2. The Senate, where each state gets two senators regardless of size, thus addressing the concern of smaller states by ensuring that they have equal representation.

This dual system of representation balances the needs of both populous and less populous states and provides a framework that supports checks and balances. By requiring both houses to agree on legislation, it prevents one state or group of states from having too much power and ensures consideration of both the country's and individual states' interests.