The New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan: A Debate on State Representation at the Constitutional Convention of 1787
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson in 1787, sought to maintain equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature. It contrasted with the Virginia Plan's proportional representation and influenced the Great Compromise, leading to the current bicameral Congress with a Senate that upholds the principle of state equality. The plan's emphasis on smaller states' interests played a pivotal role in the U.S. federal system's development, ensuring a balanced legislative process.
See moreThe New Jersey Plan: A Vision for Equal State Representation
The New Jersey Plan, presented by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, offered a vision for the United States government that would preserve the influence of smaller states. In contrast to the Virginia Plan's preference for proportional representation, the New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, akin to the existing system under the Articles of Confederation. It aimed to enhance the powers of the federal government to levy taxes and regulate commerce while maintaining the principle of state equality in the legislature.The Virginia Plan: A Call for Proportional Representation
The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison, advocated for a new federal government structure with a bicameral legislature based on state population or wealth. This proposal was designed to give larger states more influence in the national government, which smaller states vehemently opposed. The debate over representation was a central issue at the Convention, with smaller states fearing the loss of their equal status and larger states seeking to ensure their interests were adequately represented due to their greater populations.The Structure and Proposals of the New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan's structure included a single-chamber Congress where each state would have one vote, reflecting the principle of state sovereignty. The plan proposed giving Congress the power to tax, regulate interstate and international commerce, and enforce these powers. It also called for the creation of a plural executive, appointed by Congress, who could be removed at the request of a majority of state governors. Furthermore, the plan suggested a federal judiciary with a Supreme Tribunal, which would serve as the highest judicial authority in the nation.The Rejection of the New Jersey Plan and the Great Compromise
The New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected by the Constitutional Convention, with a majority favoring the Virginia Plan's approach to representation. However, the intense debate between large and small states led to the Great Compromise, or the Connecticut Compromise, which proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. This compromise was instrumental in moving the Convention forward and laid the groundwork for the structure of the U.S. Congress.The Enduring Influence of the New Jersey Plan
Although the New Jersey Plan was not adopted in its original form, its legacy endures in the structure of the U.S. Senate, where each state is represented equally. The plan's insistence on protecting the interests of smaller states was a critical factor in the development of the federal system, ensuring that all states, regardless of size, would have a voice in the legislative process. The New Jersey Plan's contributions to the debate on state sovereignty and representation continue to be reflected in the balance of power between the states and the federal government.Want to create maps from your material?
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1
The ______ Plan, proposed by ______ ______ during the ______ Convention of 1787, was designed to protect the interests of smaller states.
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2
Unlike the ______ Plan which favored proportional representation, the ______ Plan suggested a single-chamber congress where each state would have equal ______.
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3
The plan introduced by ______ ______ sought to strengthen the federal government's ability to ______ taxes and oversee ______, while keeping states equal in the legislative body.
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4
Originator of the Virginia Plan
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5
Legislative structure in the Virginia Plan
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6
Concern of smaller states at the Convention
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7
The ______ Plan suggested a Congress with a single chamber, where every state had an equal vote.
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8
Under the ______ Plan, Congress would gain the authority to levy taxes and oversee both interstate and international trade.
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9
The plan called for a ______ executive, who would be appointed by Congress and could be removed with the consent of most state governors.
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10
A federal judiciary, topped by a ______ Tribunal as the ultimate judicial authority, was also a part of the plan.
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11
Outcome of Virginia Plan's favoring
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12
Purpose of Great Compromise
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13
Structure of U.S. Congress
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14
The insistence of the ______ Plan on smaller states' interests was key in shaping the ______ system of the U.S.
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15
Despite not being fully adopted, the ______ Plan influenced the legislative process by ensuring all states had a ______.
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16
The balance of power between the states and the federal government is influenced by the ______ Plan's take on state ______ and representation.
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