The Constitutional Convention: Compromise and Consensus

Question 1

The New Jersey Plan

Answer 1

Called for a unicameral legislature. Called for equal representation regardless of a state’s population.

Question 2

The Connecticut Plan

Answer 2

The divisive issue of representation threatened to dissolve the convention. The Connecticut Compromise called for a bicameral legislature. One body, the House of Representatives would have representation based on the population (the Virginia Plan), and a second body, the Senate, would have two members from each state (the New Jersey Plan).

Question 3

The Virginia Plan

Answer 3

Called for a bicameral legislation. Called for representation based on each state’s population.