The document discusses the Virginia and New Jersey Plans debated at the Constitutional Convention and their compromise. The Virginia Plan proposed three branches of government and two houses in Congress based on state population, worrying small states. The New Jersey Plan kept three branches but a single-house Congress with each state getting one vote. The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature with the House based on population and the Senate giving two seats to each state.

1. Understanding the Virginia and New Jersey Plans The Great Compromise

2. I. Main Idea Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 had to compromise on key issues in order to complete a new constitution. Compromise

3. II.The Virginia Plan A. Proposed three separate branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial). B. Congress would consist of two houses – House of Representatives and the Senate. In both houses representation based on population. Small states feared this plan. Why?

4. III.The New Jersey Plan A. Proposed three branches of government. B. Congress would consist of only one house. C. Each state would have one vote regardless of population.

5. IV.The Great Compromise A. Proposed by Roger Sherman (Conn.) B. Called for a two-house legislature. C. Lower House = House of Representatives (seats based on population). D. Upper House = Senate E. All states have equal representation (2 senators per state). F. What a Great Compromise!