When the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were trying to form a new government, there was a great deal of disagreement over how each state should be represented in Congress. Delegates from large states wanted the number of representatives from each state to be based on population. This was known as the “Virginia Plan”. Delegates from smaller states wanted each state to have an equal number of representatives. This was known as the “New Jersey Plan”. In the end, Roger Sherman from Connecticut proposed what has become known as the “Great Compromise”. This called for two houses in the legislature. The upper house, or Senate would give each state equal representation; the lower house, or House of Representatives, would allow representation based on a state’s population.
Short Essay Writing Question:
Imagine that you are a delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Write a
speech in favor of or against the “Great Compromise”. Explain your argument.
