Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan and the Great Compromise

Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan Overview

The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were two competing proposals presented during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. These plans outlined differing views on the structure and powers of the federal government, particularly in regards to representation in the legislature.

Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, put forward by James Madison, called for a strong federal government with a two-house legislature. It proposed representation in the legislature to be based on population, which would give larger states more power. This plan aimed to strengthen the central government and create a system where the number of representatives each state had was proportional to its population.

New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, supported a weaker federal government with a unicameral legislature. It advocated for each state to have equal representation in the legislature, regardless of its population size. This plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states and prevent them from being overshadowed by larger states.

The Great Compromise

The debate between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was eventually resolved through the Great Compromise. This compromise created a two-house Congress, with the House of Representatives having representation based on population (favoring the Virginia Plan) and the Senate having equal representation with two senators from each state (favoring the New Jersey Plan).

The Great Compromise effectively balanced the interests of both large and small states, ensuring a fair system of representation in the federal government. It laid the foundation for the current structure of the United States Congress, where both proportional and equal representation play key roles in decision-making.