A pivotal agreement during the 1787 Constitutional Convention, this arrangement resolved a significant dispute regarding legislative representation in the newly proposed government. It proposed a bicameral legislature, combining elements of both the Virginia Plan, which favored states with larger populations, and the New Jersey Plan, which advocated for equal representation for all states. The result was a House of Representatives, where representation was based on state population, and a Senate, where each state received equal representation with two senators.
The historical significance of this agreement lies in its ability to bridge the divide between large and small states, ensuring the ratification of the Constitution and the formation of a unified nation. It prevented the Convention from collapsing due to irreconcilable differences and established a framework for legislative balance that continues to shape the structure of the United States government. This balance sought to protect the interests of both populous and less populous states, ensuring neither could dominate the legislative process.