Question

The Great Compromise, reached during the Constitutional Convention, resolved a sharp disagreement about representation in Congress between what two groups? A. large states and small states B. slave states and free states C. new states and original states D. federalist and anti-federalist states

Short answer

The disagreement was between large states and small states. The correct answer is A.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Context

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It established a two-house legislature in the United States, resolving a dispute about how states should be represented in Congress.

Identify the Disagreement

The primary disagreement was about the representation of states in Congress. Larger states wanted representation based on population, while smaller states wanted equal representation for all states.

Review the Options

Read through each of the options carefully:A. large states and small statesB. slave states and free statesC. new states and original statesD. federalist and anti-federalist states

Analyze the Options

Consider which of these groups would be concerned with representation in Congress. The conflict about representation in Congress was primarily between large states, which wanted proportional representation, and small states, which wanted equal representation.

Select the Correct Option

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is: A. large states and small states

Key concepts

Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention was a significant event in American history. It took place in Philadelphia in 1787.
Delegates from all thirteen original states gathered to discuss the creation of a new government.
They wanted to address problems that had arisen under the Articles of Confederation.
The Convention was marked by intense debate and negotiation.
Topics discussed included representation, the powers of the federal government, and the balance between state and national interests.
These discussions led to the creation of the United States Constitution.
Importantly, the Great Compromise, or Connecticut Compromise, was a key agreement reached during these discussions.

Representation in Congress

One of the biggest issues at the Constitutional Convention was how states would be represented in Congress.
Two plans were initially proposed:

• The Virginia Plan: This plan favored large states. It suggested representation based on population, meaning more populous states would have more influence.
• The New Jersey Plan: This plan favored small states. It proposed equal representation for each state, regardless of size.

The Great Compromise resolved this debate. It established a bicameral (two-house) legislature.
The Senate provided equal representation, with two senators per state.
The House of Representatives provided representation based on population.
This solution balanced the interests of both large and small states.

Large States vs Small States

At the core of the Great Compromise was the conflict between large and small states.
Large states felt they should have more representation because they had larger populations and thus, more people to represent.
Small states, on the other hand, were concerned that they would be overpowered by the larger states if representation were solely based on population.
They feared their interests would be ignored.
This disagreement was intense and threatened the success of the Convention.
The Great Compromise was crucial in uniting the delegates.
It ensured that the interests of both large and small states were fairly represented in the new government structure.
This balance of power remains a fundamental aspect of the U.S. legislative system today.