Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan vs. The Great Compromise

Question

Hey there! 👋 Ever get confused by the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise? 🤔 Don't worry, you're not alone! These were super important ideas during the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Let's break them down so they're easy to understand!

linda_jacobs · Accepted Answer

📚 Understanding the Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history. The main goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but it quickly became clear that a new framework of government was needed. This led to intense debates and the introduction of different plans for structuring the new government. The Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise were central to these discussions.

🏛️ The Virginia Plan
Proposed by James Madison of Virginia, this plan favored larger states and advocated for a strong national government.

⚖️ Representation: Proposed a bicameral legislature (two houses) with representation in both houses based on population.
  💪 Executive Branch: Advocated for a strong executive branch.
  🧑‍⚖️ Judicial Branch: Called for a judicial branch.
  💰 National Power: The national government would have the power to legislate for states and veto state laws.

🗽 The New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey, this plan favored smaller states and sought to maintain the structure of the Articles of Confederation while granting the federal government some additional powers.

🤝 Equal Representation: Advocated for a unicameral legislature (one house) with each state having equal representation.
  📜 Amended Articles: Proposed amending the Articles of Confederation rather than creating a new government.
  💼 Limited Powers: The federal government would have limited powers, primarily focused on regulating commerce and taxation.

🤝 The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut, this compromise sought to reconcile the differences between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, creating a balanced structure for the new government.

🏛️ Bicameral Legislature: Established a bicameral legislature consisting of:
    
       🌟Senate: Equal representation for each state (two senators per state).
       👨‍👩‍👧‍👦House of Representatives: Representation based on population.
    
   ⚖️ Balanced Power: This compromise balanced the power between large and small states, ensuring that both had a voice in the new government.

🤔 Why Was This So Important?
These debates and compromises were crucial because they shaped the structure of the U.S. government. Without the Great Compromise, it's unlikely that the Constitution would have been ratified, as smaller states would have feared being dominated by larger states. The balance of power achieved through these plans continues to influence American politics today.

📝 Assessment 
Let's test your understanding!

Question
    Answer

1. Which plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population?
    The Virginia Plan

2. Which plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state?
    The New Jersey Plan

3. What was the key feature of the Great Compromise?
    A bicameral legislature with one house based on population and the other with equal representation.

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan vs. The Great Compromise

1 Answers

📚 Understanding the Constitutional Convention

🏛️ The Virginia Plan

🗽 The New Jersey Plan

🤝 The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

🤔 Why Was This So Important?

📝 Assessment

Join the discussion

Question	Answer
1. Which plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population?	The Virginia Plan
2. Which plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state?	The New Jersey Plan
3. What was the key feature of the Great Compromise?	A bicameral legislature with one house based on population and the other with equal representation.