The Great Compromise established a bicameral Congress by combining which features?

The Great Compromise established a bicameral Congress by combining which features?

• A. Representation by population in both houses
• B. A unicameral body chosen by the people
• C. Representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate
• D. A direct democracy

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how representation in Congress was balanced to satisfy both large and small states. The Great Compromise blended elements from two earlier plans: one envisioned a house where representation would be based on population, giving bigger states more influence; the other proposed equal representation for each state. The result is a bicameral Congress with a House of Representatives that is proportional to population, and a Senate where each state has an equal voice with two senators. This arrangement allows the legislature to be responsive to the size of the state while protecting smaller states from being overwhelmed, creating a workable balance at the national level.

The main idea being tested is how representation in Congress was balanced to satisfy both large and small states. The Great Compromise blended elements from two earlier plans: one envisioned a house where representation would be based on population, giving bigger states more influence; the other proposed equal representation for each state. The result is a bicameral Congress with a House of Representatives that is proportional to population, and a Senate where each state has an equal voice with two senators. This arrangement allows the legislature to be responsive to the size of the state while protecting smaller states from being overwhelmed, creating a workable balance at the national level.