What was the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 intended to resolve?

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was primarily aimed at resolving the contentious issue of representation in Congress during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Prior to this compromise, there was a significant debate between larger states, which favored representation based on population, and smaller states, which preferred equal representation regardless of size.

The compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature, where the House of Representatives would be based on population—thus giving larger states more influence—and the Senate would offer equal representation, with each state having two senators. This structure helped to balance the needs and power of both populous and less populous states, creating a more unified governmental framework.

Understanding this compromise is crucial as it directly addressed the conflict over how states would be represented in the new federal government, ensuring that both large and small states had a stake in the legislative process. This foundational decision shaped the legislative branch of the U.S. government and has had lasting impacts on American political structure and representation.