The decision to divide Congress into two houses, with equal representation in one and proportional representation in the other, was called New York Compromise. Great Compromise. New Jersey Plan. Virginia Plan.

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a pivotal moment in American history. It was reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, balancing the needs of both small and large states by creating a bicameral legislature. The Senate would have equal representation (two senators per state), while the House of Representatives would provide representation based on each state's population. This two-house system not only addressed the contentious debates between supporters of the Virginia Plan (favoring proportional representation) and the New Jersey Plan (favoring equal representation), but it also laid the foundation for how America’s legislative branch operates to this day! It shaped the principles of federalism and representation that continue to define American democracy.