The Founding Fathers: Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan

During the constitutional convention of 1787, delegates proposed two competing plans to structure the new government of the United States: the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. These plans outlined fundamental differences in how representation in the legislature would be determined.

Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a bicameral legislature. The lower house would be elected by the people based on population, giving more representation to states with larger populations. The upper house would then be elected by the lower house members. This meant that larger states like Virginia would have more influence in the national government.

New Jersey Plan

On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, advocated for by William Paterson, proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation and an equal vote. This ensured that smaller states like New Jersey would have a voice in the government equal to that of larger states.

The main key difference between the two plans was how representation in the legislature would be allocated. The Virginia Plan favored representation based on population, which would benefit larger states. In contrast, the New Jersey Plan aimed for equal representation among all states, regardless of their population size. Additionally, the Virginia Plan's bicameral legislature structure differed from the New Jersey Plan's unicameral legislature, leading to further debates among the delegates regarding the best way to form a fair and effective government.

In the end, a compromise known as the Great Compromise was reached, combining elements of both plans to create the current structure of the United States Congress with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate where each state has an equal vote.