What compromise settled the method of representation in Congress?

The method of representation in Congress was settled by the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise. This agreement was reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and aimed to resolve conflicts between states with large populations and those with smaller populations regarding how representation should be allocated in the new Congress.

The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the House, representation would be based on the population of each state, satisfying larger states that felt they should have more influence due to their larger populations. Conversely, in the Senate, each state would have equal representation, with two Senators per state, which addressed the concerns of smaller states that feared losing power.

This balance of representation allowed for a more equitable legislative process and is a fundamental aspect of the United States government structure today. The significance of the Great Compromise lies in its successful negotiation between competing interests, which ultimately ensured the creation of a functional and representative federal government.