The Great Compromise finally allocated representation on the basis of

• A. population, in both houses
• B. equality, in both houses
• C. population in the House and statehood equality in the Senate
• D. equality in the House and population in the Senate

Answer: (C)

A balance between proportional and equal representation. The Great Compromise created a two-house Congress: the lower house uses representation by population, so larger states have more seats, while the upper house gives each state an equal voice with two senators. This arrangement reconciled competing plans by combining both ideas—proportional representation for the House and equal representation for the Senate—so both large and small states could accept the new framework. The other approaches would tilt power toward one side or the other: making both houses population-based would overemphasize larger states, while making both houses equal would shortchange larger states; making the House equal and the Senate population-based would invert the intended balance.