The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise or Sherman Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in the United States. It played a significant role in defining the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the newly created United States Constitution.
The problem of legislative representation was referred to a committee consisting of one delegate from each state to reach a compromise. On July 5, 1787, the committee submitted its report, which became the basis for the "Great Compromise" of the Convention. The key elements of the Great Compromise were:
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Bicameral Legislature: The compromise proposed a bicameral legislature, consisting of two separate chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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Representation in the House of Representatives: The House of Representatives would have representation based on each states population, with larger states having more representatives.
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Equal Representation in the Senate: The Senate would have equal representation for each state, regardless of its population. This provision was crucial for smaller states, as it ensured they would have an equal voice in the legislative process.
The Great Compromise was brokered by Roger Sherman, a Connecticut politician and Superior Court judge, who is often credited as its architect. The compromise was adopted on July 16, 1787, by a vote of five states to four, and it played a vital role in saving the Constitutional Convention from a potential stalemate.
