The Great Compromise and Its Impact

In 1787, leaders met in Philadelphia to create a new government. Small states feared domination by larger states like Virginia. William Patterson proposed the New Jersey Plan, advocating equal representation for each state. Although initially rejected, it contributed to the Great Compromise, which balanced representation by giving two senators to each state and basing the House of Representatives on population. Ironically, New Jersey, now the 11th most populous state, would have benefited from the Virginia Plan. The video is produced by Kean University and the New Jersey Historical Commission.

What was the main concern of small states like New Jersey during the 1787 Constitutional Convention?

• They aimed to form a separate union.

• They sought to increase taxes on large states.

• They wanted to abolish the national government.

• They feared losing influence to larger states.

Who proposed the plan for equal representation in the national legislature?

• George Washington

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

• William Patterson

What was the outcome of William Patterson's proposal at the Constitutional Convention?

• It was fully accepted without changes.

• It was rejected but influenced the Great Compromise.

• It led to the dissolution of the convention.

• It was ignored and had no impact.

How did the Great Compromise satisfy both small and large states?

• By giving all states equal representation in both houses.

• By allowing states to choose their own representation method.

• By abolishing the national legislature.

• By creating a Senate with equal representation and a House based on population.

What is the irony mentioned about New Jersey in the context of the Virginia plan?

• New Jersey would have been less powerful under the Virginia plan.

• New Jersey is now a large state and would have benefited from the Virginia plan.

• New Jersey never participated in the Constitutional Convention.

• New Jersey opposed the Virginia plan but now supports it.