Which compromise settled the issue of representation in Congress?

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was pivotal in settling the contentious issue of representation in Congress during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Before this compromise, there was a significant debate between the larger states, which supported the Virginia Plan advocating for representation based on population, and smaller states, which favored the New Jersey Plan that called for equal representation regardless of size.

The Great Compromise effectively merged these two proposals by establishing a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives would be based on population, allowing larger states greater representation, while the Senate would consist of two senators from each state, ensuring equal representation for every state. This balance of power within the legislative branch addressed the concerns of both sides, leading to a framework that has continued to shape American governance.

The other compromises mentioned, while important in their own contexts—such as addressing the expansion of slavery or sectional tensions—did not directly address the fundamental structure of legislative representation. Thus, the Great Compromise is recognized as the resolution to the critical issue of how states would be represented in the new Congress.