What was important to small states at the second continental congress?

Question

specifically Connecticut
also would small states prefer a large central government or state governments?

Answer 1

Yes, the Senate with 2 votes for each state. This leveled the playing field for small states in at least one area of the legislative branch. This also played well for the slave states as it gave them parity in the Senate (as long as there were an equal number of slave and free states). They used this power effectively up to 1860 to parry the economic and anti-slavery power of the north.

As for federal vs. state governments, most states favored a weak central control and strong state powers. Before the Civil War, most people held their strongest loyalties for their state, then the federal government.

Also before the Civil War, the common phrase was 'THESE United States' (a collection of states) and only later did that change to 'THE United States' (a single entity). A minor but significant change in thinking.

Answer 2

From what I recall or possibly made up over time, the small states wanted a Senate so that each state would get 2 votes regardless of its size, and that would offset the larger numbers of votes that more populous states would get in the House of Reps.

Smaller states happened to be in the northeastern area and tended to like a central government for basically the same reason as above. Protection from the power of growing larger states.

Answer 3

Representation in Congress.

They couldn't get much done at this time because they had no authority to do it. The small states stuck together and the large states stuck together and the middle states wavered back and forth.

Answer 4

The thing to do is compare their life to the life of a civilian of the time and also their life compared to a British Soldiers life. The life would change with the season. They had shorter enlistments than we do now. Look into some of the mutinies that occurred under Washington. You will find some meat for your essay there.