New Jersey Plan vs. Virginia Plan

Attribute	New Jersey Plan	Virginia Plan
Representation	Equal representation for all states	Representation based on population
Legislature	Unicameral legislature	Bicameral legislature
Power distribution	Equal power for all states	More power to larger states

New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan was proposed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 by William Paterson. This plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states by advocating for equal representation in the legislative branch. Under the New Jersey Plan, each state would have an equal vote in Congress, regardless of population size. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which proposed representation based on population.

One of the key attributes of the New Jersey Plan was its focus on maintaining the sovereignty of individual states. By ensuring that each state had an equal say in Congress, smaller states felt that their interests would not be overshadowed by larger states. This was particularly important to states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut, which feared being marginalized in a system based solely on population.

Another important aspect of the New Jersey Plan was its proposal for a unicameral legislature. This meant that there would only be one house of Congress, where each state would have an equal vote. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in both houses.

Overall, the New Jersey Plan sought to create a more balanced system of government that would protect the interests of smaller states. By advocating for equal representation in Congress and maintaining state sovereignty, the plan aimed to address the concerns of states with smaller populations and prevent them from being marginalized in the new government.

Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, called for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature. Under the Virginia Plan, representation in Congress would be based on population, giving larger states more influence in the legislative branch. This was in contrast to the New Jersey Plan, which advocated for equal representation for all states.

One of the key attributes of the Virginia Plan was its focus on creating a more centralized government that could effectively address national issues. By giving more representation to states with larger populations, the plan aimed to ensure that the voices of the majority were heard in the decision-making process. This was seen as crucial for the stability and effectiveness of the new government.

Another important aspect of the Virginia Plan was its proposal for a bicameral legislature, with a lower house elected by the people and an upper house elected by the lower house. This system of checks and balances was designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. It also aimed to ensure that the interests of both the people and the states were represented in the legislative process.

Overall, the Virginia Plan sought to create a more efficient and powerful national government that could effectively address the needs of the country as a whole. By advocating for representation based on population and a bicameral legislature, the plan aimed to create a system that balanced the interests of both the states and the people.

Comparison

When comparing the attributes of the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan, it is clear that they had fundamentally different visions for the structure of the new government. The New Jersey Plan focused on protecting the interests of smaller states through equal representation in Congress and a unicameral legislature. On the other hand, the Virginia Plan aimed to create a strong national government with representation based on population and a bicameral legislature.

• The New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation in Congress, while the Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population.
• The New Jersey Plan sought to protect the interests of smaller states, while the Virginia Plan aimed to create a more centralized government.
• The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature, while the Virginia Plan called for a bicameral legislature.
• The New Jersey Plan focused on maintaining state sovereignty, while the Virginia Plan emphasized the need for a strong national government.

In conclusion, the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan represented two distinct approaches to structuring the new government. While the New Jersey Plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states and maintain state sovereignty, the Virginia Plan sought to create a more centralized and powerful national government. Ultimately, the compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention resulted in a blend of these two plans, with elements of both incorporated into the final Constitution.