GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentMedium
A historian is lecturing on the Constitutional Convention of 1787. They explain that one of the major challenges was reconciling the interests of large states with those of small states regarding representation in the national legislature. This challenge was ultimately resolved by the creation of a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other. This resolution is known as the:
- AGreat Compromise
- BElectoral College Compromise
- CThree-Fifths Compromise
- DCommerce Compromise
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Great Compromise
The Great Compromise (also known as the Connecticut Compromise) resolved the dispute over legislative representation by creating a bicameral Congress: the House of Representatives with proportional representation and the Senate with equal representation for each state.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The Electoral College Compromise established the method for electing the President.
- C. The Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation.
- D. The Commerce Compromise addressed issues related to federal regulation of trade and tariffs.
Great Compromise
An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that created a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
- Also known as the Connecticut Compromise.
- Resolved the conflict between the Virginia Plan (proportional) and New Jersey Plan (equal).
- Established the structure of the U.S. Congress.
Memory trick: Great for Representation, Three-Fifths for Slaves, Commerce for Trade.