During the Constitutional Convention, small states wanted equal representation regardless of population size, advocating for each state to have the same number of representatives in Congress. This was exemplified by the New Jersey Plan, which proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states. In contrast, large states favored representation based on population, as proposed in the Virginia Plan, believing that this would ensure that their larger populations had a proportional influence in the legislative process. This conflict ultimately led to the Great Compromise, establishing a bicameral legislature with both equal and proportional representation.
As a result of the Constitutional Convention, we have the frame work of proper representation in congress for all 50 states at present!
disagreement between the states over representation in Congress
representation of the states in congress
John Adams was the United States' Ambassador to England during the Constitutional Convention
They supported a government that had equal representation for all states and had a one house legislature so states with more population wouldn't get more representation in the government
equal representation between states
During the Constitutional Convention, the Three-Fifths Compromise was introduced as a means of addressing the representation of slave states. This compromise stipulated that each enslaved individual would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of determining a state's population and, consequently, its representation in Congress. This arrangement aimed to balance the interests of slave-holding states with those of free states, reflecting the contentious nature of slavery in the formation of the United States government.
Representation was crucial at the Constitutional Convention because it directly impacted how power would be allocated among the states and the federal government. Delegates debated whether representation should be based on population or state equality, reflecting the interests of both larger and smaller states. This debate led to the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature, balancing the needs for fair representation and governance. Ultimately, the decisions made during the convention shaped the foundation of American democracy and its principles of representation.
A bicameral legislature
The Connecticut Compromise -Apex
The main focus of the Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention concerned how states were to be represented in the U.S. Congress. It is also referred to as Sherman's Compromise.
States with the most number of slaves!