Reflecting on the Connecticut Compromise in American History
What was the agreement between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan called?
a. Connecticut Compromise
b. Great Compromise
c. Three-Fifths Compromise
Answer:
The agreement between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was called the Connecticut Compromise.
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, played a crucial role in the creation of the Constitution of the United States. It was a pivotal moment during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 when delegates from the large-state Virginia Plan and the small-state New Jersey Plan reached a compromise to establish the legislative system of the new nation.
The Virginia Plan proposed a legislature where states would be represented based on the size of their population. On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for each state, regardless of population size. The Connecticut Compromise blended these two contrasting proposals by creating a bicameral legislature.
In the new system, the House of Representatives would be apportioned according to population, satisfying the Virginia Plan advocates. Meanwhile, the Senate would provide equal representation for each state, addressing the concerns of the New Jersey Plan supporters. This compromise ensured a balance between state sovereignty and democratic representation in the federal government.
Additionally, the Three-Fifths Compromise, a separate agreement, dealt with the contentious issue of counting enslaved individuals for representation purposes. This compromise allowed Southern states to include three-fifths of their enslaved population in the calculation of both representation in Congress and taxation.
Overall, the Connecticut Compromise exemplifies the spirit of negotiation and compromise that characterized the founding of the United States. It laid the foundation for a system of government that balanced the interests of both large and small states, ultimately shaping the future political landscape of the nation.