The Account of the Great Compromise - the 1787 Agreement that Fashioned the United States of America
The Great Compromise of 1787, also known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Sherman Compromise, was a pivotal agreement reached during the United States Constitutional Convention of 1787. This compromise resolved a significant conflict between large and small states over legislative representation under the new Constitution.
Context of the Conflict:
The large states, such as Virginia and Massachusetts, wanted representation in Congress based on population, which would give them greater influence. In contrast, the small states, like Delaware and New Jersey, preferred equal representation for each state regardless of size to protect their interests.
What the Compromise Established:
The compromise established a bicameral legislature with two separate chambers:
- The House of Representatives: Representation based on population, favouring large states. - The Senate: Equal representation, with each state having two senators, favouring small states.
This compromise allowed both large and small states to have a balanced role in the federal government, blending proportional and equal representation.
Impact:
The Great Compromise became the foundation for the structure of the U.S. Congress as we know it today. It helped unify the delegates, allowing the Constitution to move forward as a "mixture" of national and federal principles.
Additional Notes:
Roger Sherman, a Connecticut representative, led a small group to hammer out a solution for the deadlock over power allocation in the United States. The compromise was proposed by Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, delegates from Connecticut. John Adams praised Sherman's "accurate Judgment, in Cases of Difficulty" and described him as "one of the most sensible men in the world."
The compromise was part of a broader set of negotiations at the Convention, including the related Three-Fifths Compromise addressing population counts for enslaved individuals. The Connecticut Compromise was approved by a one-state margin on July 16, 1787, in a meeting attended by delegates from 12 states, excluding Rhode Island. George Washington expressed his satisfaction with the Constitution that was offered, despite its imperfections.
The convention aimed to reshape the Articles of Confederation into a new national constitution. The meeting, which took place in Philadelphia, was attended by notable figures such as Gen. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
In summary, the Connecticut Compromise addressed the conflict between big and small states by creating a two-chamber legislature that combined proportional representation in the House with equal state representation in the Senate, balancing power between states of different sizes. This compromise played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the United States.
In the context of the United States Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise or the Sherman Compromise, addressed a significant conflict between large and small states over legislative representation under the new Constitution. This compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate offering equal representation for each state. This compromise allowed both large and small states to have a balanced role in the federal government and laid the foundation for the structure of the U.S. Congress as we know it today.
