Sherman Compromise

The Philadelphia Convention convened in 1787 to discuss the establishment of a new federal government to replace the unsatisfactory system that existed under the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

Representatives from twelve of the thirteen states attended the meeting; Rhode Island feared changes in the existing monetary system and refused to send delegates. One of the most pressing issues was the formation of a legislative body that would fairly represent the interests of the states.

ROGER SHERMAN of Connecticut proposed a plan known as the Sherman Compromise, or Connecticut Compromise. Sherman advocated a bicameral legislature with the two houses of Congress composed of members from all the states; the number of delegates to the House of Representatives would be determined by the population of each state, but each state would be equally represented in the Senate. The plan was accepted and is the basis for the congressional representation of today.