What contributions did the Connecticut Compromiser give to "The Philadelphia Convention"....?

History · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020

Answered on

The "Connecticut Compromise," also known as the "Great Compromise," made significant contributions to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The key figure associated with this compromise was Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut. The Connecticut Compromise addressed the issue of representation in the legislative branch and sought to find a middle ground between the competing interests of large and small states. Here are the contributions and features of the Connecticut Compromise:

Bicameral Legislature:

  • The Connecticut Compromise proposed a bicameral (two-chamber) legislature. This compromise was crucial in resolving the conflict between the Virginia Plan (favored by larger states) and the New Jersey Plan (favored by smaller states) regarding the structure of representation.

House of Representatives:

  • In the lower chamber of the legislature (House of Representatives), representation would be based on population. This satisfied the concerns of larger states, as they would have more seats in the House proportional to their population.

Senate:

  • In the upper chamber of the legislature (Senate), each state would have equal representation with two senators. This addressed the concerns of smaller states, ensuring they would have an equal voice in at least one branch of the legislative body.

Compromise and Agreement:

  • The Connecticut Compromise successfully bridged the gap between the interests of larger and smaller states, securing their support for the overall constitutional framework. It played a vital role in achieving a consensus that allowed the Constitutional Convention to move forward and ultimately draft the United States Constitution

Overall, the Connecticut Compromise was instrumental in shaping the structure of the United States Congress and was a key step in the development of the U.S. Constitution.