What were the two plans for Representation?
The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were the two proposals for state representation in the U.S. government, with the former favoring large states and the latter favoring small states, leading to the Connecticut Compromise.
The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan
The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were the two plans proposed for state representation during the founding of the United States. These plans reflected the differing views of large states and small states in terms of representation in the government.
The Virginia Plan, also known as the "large state plan," advocated for a two-chamber legislature with representation based on population. This plan favored larger states that had more residents, as they would have more influence and power in the government due to their higher population. On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, also referred to as the "small state plan," proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states, regardless of size. This plan appealed to smaller states that were concerned about being overshadowed and dominated by larger states.
However, neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan was fully adopted. Instead, a compromise known as the Connecticut Compromise was reached. This compromise resulted in the creation of a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population, satisfying the proponents of the Virginia Plan. Additionally, a Senate was established where each state had equal representation, which pleased the supporters of the New Jersey Plan.
In conclusion, the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were instrumental in shaping the structure of the U.S. government and ultimately led to the creation of a balanced system of representation that addressed the concerns of both large and small states.