What compromise was made to balance the representation of large and small states in Congress?

• A. The Three-Fifths Compromise
• B. The Great Compromise
• C. The New Jersey Plan
• D. The Virginia Plan

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how the framers solved representation in Congress so that both large and small states could have a fair say. The plan that achieves this balance creates a two-house Congress: one chamber (the House) where representation is based on population, and another chamber (the Senate) where every state has an equal voice with two members. This setup means larger states gain influence in the House because they have more people, while smaller states aren’t outweighed because each state has the same number of senators in the Senate. Together, these features let both perspectives shape national policy.

This approach stands out because it combines proportional representation with equal state representation, addressing the concerns of both sides. In contrast, a proposal for equal representation would give small states outsized influence, and a plan for representation by population in both chambers would leave small states underrepresented. The Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with how enslaved people were counted for representation and taxes, which affected size of delegations but isn’t the mechanism that balances power between large and small states across the two chambers.