Government powerlessness led to the Convention of 1787 which proposed a revised constitution with a two–chamber or "bicameral" congress. Smaller states argued for equal representation for each state. The two-chamber structure had functioned well in state governments. A compromise plan, the Connecticut Compromise, was adopted with representatives chosen by population (benefiting larger states) and exactly two senators chosen by state governments (benefiting smaller states). The ratified constitution created a federal structure with two overlapping power centers so that each citizen "as an individual" was subjected to both the power of state government and the national government. To protect against abuse of power, each branch of governmentexecutive, legislative, and judicialhad a separate sphere of authority and could check other branches according to the principle of the separation of powers. Furthermore, there were checks and balances "within" the legislature since there were two separate chambers. The new government became active in 1789.