What was one of the major debates at the Constitutional Convention?

• A. How much tax should be imposed?
• B. How should large and small states be represented?
• C. What form of currency should be used?
• D. Who should become President?

Answer: (B)

One of the significant debates at the Constitutional Convention revolved around the representation of large and small states in the newly proposed government. This discussion was crucial because it addressed concerns about how power would be balanced among states of differing sizes and populations. Larger states, which had more people, wanted representation in Congress to be based on population, thereby giving them greater influence. In contrast, smaller states feared that they would be outvoted and rendered insignificant if representation was proportionate to population alone.

This debate ultimately led to the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives would have representation based on population, while the Senate would provide equal representation for all states, with each state having two senators. This resolution was pivotal in shaping the structure of American government and ensuring that both small and large states felt their interests were adequately represented.