In 1787, the Framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia to address the failures of the Articles of Confederation and to build a framework for a stronger central government. However, the Framers didn't agree as to how to best structure the legislative branch of government. Some argued that states should have equal representation in government, while others argued that representation should be based on population.

James Madison put forward the Virginia Plan, suggesting a two-house (bicameral) legislature with each state's number of representatives being based on population. Smaller states, like New Jersey, strongly objected. These states feared they would be overshadowed by larger, more populous states. Delegates from these smaller states put forward the New Jersey Plan, which held each state would have one delegate with one vote in a one-house legislature.

After much debate, the Framers decided to blend the two plans in what was called the Connecticut Compromise or The Great Compromise. The Framers adopted a two-house legislature with an upper-house, the Senate, where each state has two representatives and a lower-house, the House of Representatives, where representation is based on population.