Connecticut Compromise

Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or Sherman's Compromise) was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that balanced the interests of small and large states. The compromise led to the creation of a bicameral legislature, with representation in the lower house based on population and equal representation for all states in the upper house.

Background

The United States was a new nation in the 1780s, and its government under the Articles of Confederation was seen as weak and ineffective. The Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 to address these issues and create a new constitution. However, the delegates from the small and large states disagreed on how representation should be determined in the new Congress.

The Compromise

The Connecticut Compromise was proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, delegates from Connecticut. They suggested a bicameral legislature, with one house (the House of Representatives) having representation based on population, and the other house (the Senate) having equal representation for all states, regardless of size. This compromise was accepted by the delegates and became part of the United States Constitution.

Impact

The Connecticut Compromise played a crucial role in shaping the U.S. government. It ensured that both small and large states had a voice in the federal government, and it established the structure of Congress that is still in use today. The compromise also set a precedent for resolving disputes between states with differing interests.

Criticism

Despite its success, the Connecticut Compromise has been criticized for giving too much power to smaller states. Critics argue that the equal representation in the Senate is undemocratic because it gives disproportionate influence to states with smaller populations.

See also

• Virginia Plan
• New Jersey Plan
• History of the United States Constitution

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Connecticut Compromise

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  Portrait of Roger Sherman by Ralph Earl