What did the Connecticut (Great) Compromise establish?

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise established a bicameral legislature, which means it consists of two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. This compromise addressed the debate between larger and smaller states during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 over how states should be represented in Congress.

In the House of Representatives, representation is based on population, which favors larger states that have more residents. This structure allows these states to have a greater influence in the legislative process proportional to their populations. Conversely, in the Senate, each state is given equal representation, with two senators from each state, regardless of size. This aspect of the compromise protects the interests of smaller states and ensures their voices are not overshadowed by the larger states.

This balance between population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate was essential for ensuring that both large and small states could agree on a framework for the new national government.