The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise is a Grade 5 history skill from Pengi Social Studies. Students learn how delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 resolved a major dispute over congressional representation by creating a bicameral Congress: the Senate with equal representation for all states and the House with representation based on population.
Key Concepts
At the Convention, big states (like Virginia) and small states (like New Jersey) fought over power. Big states wanted representation based on population; small states wanted equal votes for everyone.
They solved this with the Great Compromise . They created a Congress with two houses.
In the House of Representatives , votes depend on population (pleasing big states). In the Senate , every state gets two votes (pleasing small states). This balance allowed the Convention to move forward.
Common Questions
What was the Great Compromise?
The Great Compromise (also called the Connecticut Compromise) of 1787 created a two-house Congress: the Senate with two senators from each state, and the House of Representatives with representation based on population.
What problem did the Great Compromise solve?
Large and small states disagreed over representation in Congress. Large states wanted representation by population; small states wanted equal representation. The Great Compromise satisfied both.
Who proposed the Great Compromise?
Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed the bicameral Congress plan, earning it the nickname the Connecticut Compromise.
What were the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan?
The Virginia Plan proposed proportional representation (by population); the New Jersey Plan proposed equal representation for all states. The Great Compromise combined both ideas.
What grade covers the Great Compromise?
The Great Compromise is a Grade 5 social studies history topic.