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The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was crucial in shaping the structure of the legislative branch of the United States government as outlined in the Constitution. Its primary purpose was to find a middle ground between the Virginia Plan, which favored larger states with representation based on population, and the New Jersey Plan, which favored smaller states with equal representation regardless of size.

By establishing a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for each state, the Great Compromise was successful in ensuring that both smaller and larger states felt their interests were represented. This compromise was essential for gaining the support needed to ratify the Constitution, as it addressed the concerns of smaller states that feared losing influence and the larger states that desired proportional representation. This balance was key in forming a unified government that could operate effectively across diverse interests and populations.