What's the difference between the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan?
Which plan dealt with the nature of the constitution?
a) Virginia Plan
b) New Jersey Plan
Answer:
Both the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan were the two plans presented at the Constitutional convention in 1787, both the plan dealt with the nature of the constitution.The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were two significant proposals put forth during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia. These plans set the stage for the creation of the United States Constitution and led to a debate that ultimately shaped the structure of the American government.
The Virginia Plan, presented by James Madison, proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on each state's population. This meant that more populous states would have more representatives in Congress, giving them greater influence. It also called for a strong national government with the power to veto state laws and enforce a uniform set of laws across the country.
On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, advocated for a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation, regardless of population size. This plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states and ensure that they had an equal voice in legislative matters.
The key differences between the two plans lay in the representation and power structure they proposed. The Virginia Plan favored larger states and a stronger central government, while the New Jersey Plan sought to maintain state sovereignty and equality among all states.
Ultimately, the Great Compromise was reached, combining elements of both plans to create a Congress with a bicameral legislature – the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation for each state. This compromise helped balance the interests of both large and small states and laid the foundation for the constitutional framework of the United States.