What did the Great (Connecticut) Compromise establish?

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise, reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the United States government. It established a bicameral legislature, which consists of two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. This was a pivotal change because it balanced the need for both equal representation among states and representation based on population.

In the House of Representatives, members are allocated based on the population of each state, which favors the larger states. In contrast, the Senate ensures that each state has an equal number of representatives, with two senators per state, thus protecting the interests of smaller states. This compromise addressed the disagreements between delegates who were advocating for different methods of representation, leading to a legislative framework that allowed for both proportional representation and equal representation.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary outcome of the Great Compromise. While the Electoral College was a separate topic addressed later in the convention, the issue of slavery was tackled through different compromises, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, which was not directly related to the bicameral structure. Therefore, establishing a bicameral legislature is the defining achievement of the Great Compromise.