What significant compromise led to the establishment of two legislative chambers in Congress?

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was pivotal in establishing a bicameral legislature in the United States Congress. This compromise was reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a way to balance the needs and interests of both large and small states.

Under the Great Compromise, Congress was structured with two chambers: the House of Representatives, where representation would be based on population, favoring larger states, and the Senate, where each state would have equal representation with two senators, benefiting smaller states. This dual structure was critical in ensuring that all states had a voice in the legislative process, addressing the contentious debate between proponents of the Virginia Plan, which advocated for representation based on population, and the New Jersey Plan, which called for equal representation regardless of size.

The outcome of the Great Compromise was a key element in shaping a more balanced and representative federal government.