π― Lesson Objectives
- π‘ Students will be able to identify the core proposals of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
- βοΈ Students will be able to compare and contrast the two plans regarding representation, executive, and judiciary.
- π Students will understand the historical context and significance of these plans in the formation of the U.S. Constitution.
π Required Materials
- π Whiteboard or projector for displaying key concepts.
- π Handout with a comparison chart (or use the table provided below).
- π Access to supplementary historical documents (optional, for deeper dives).
β° Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)
Ask students: "Imagine you're tasked with creating a new government for 13 diverse states, some large, some small. What would be the biggest challenge in ensuring all states feel fairly represented and have a voice in the new government? Discuss with a partner."
ποΈ Main Instruction: The Great Debate of 1787
Welcome, future constitutional scholars! Today, we're diving into one of the most pivotal debates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787: the clash between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Understanding these proposals is crucial for grasping how our unique system of government was forged.
π The Virginia Plan: A Vision for a Strong National Government
- π Origin: Proposed by Edmund Randolph but largely drafted by James Madison, often called the 'Father of the Constitution.'
- π₯ Representation: Advocated for a bicameral (two-house) legislature, with representation in both houses based on a state's population or wealth. This favored larger states.
- π³οΈ Legislative Power: The national legislature would have broad powers, including the ability to veto state laws and choose the national executive and judiciary.
- π Executive: A single national executive, chosen by the legislature, serving a single term.
- βοΈ Judiciary: A national judiciary, also chosen by the legislature.
- πͺ Overall Goal: To create a strong national government capable of addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
π‘οΈ The New Jersey Plan: Protecting Small State Interests
- π Origin: Proposed by William Paterson, primarily to counter the perceived dominance of large states under the Virginia Plan.
- π’ Representation: Advocated for a unicameral (one-house) legislature, where each state would have equal representation, regardless of population. This protected smaller states.
- π€ Legislative Power: The national legislature would have limited, but expanded, powers, primarily focused on amending the Articles of Confederation rather than replacing them entirely.
- π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Executive: A plural (multiple-person) executive committee, chosen by the legislature, removable by a majority of states.
- π©ββοΈ Judiciary: A national judiciary, appointed by the executive.
- π€ Overall Goal: To revise the Articles of Confederation, maintaining state sovereignty while granting the national government slightly more power.
βοΈ Key Differences: Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan
| Feature | Virginia Plan | New Jersey Plan |
|---|
| Legislature | Bicameral (Two Houses) | Unicameral (One House) |
| Representation | Proportional (Based on Population/Wealth) | Equal (One Vote Per State) |
| Executive | Single Executive, chosen by Legislature | Plural Executive, chosen by Legislature |
| Judiciary | National Judiciary, chosen by Legislature | National Judiciary, appointed by Executive |
| National Power | Strong National Government; could veto state laws | Weaker National Government; amended Articles of Confederation |
β¨ The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
- π€ Bridging the Divide: The intense debate between these two plans led to a stalemate, threatening the entire convention.
- 𧩠The Solution: Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed a compromise that combined elements of both plans.
- π House of Representatives: Established a lower house with proportional representation (like the Virginia Plan), satisfying larger states.
- ποΈ Senate: Established an upper house with equal representation (like the New Jersey Plan), where each state would have two senators, satisfying smaller states.
- πΊπΈ A New Framework: This compromise was crucial for the ratification of the Constitution, demonstrating the power of negotiation and consensus.
π Significance for American Government
- π Foundation of Federalism: The debates highlighted the tension between national power and state sovereignty, leading to our federal system where power is divided between national and state governments.
- π‘ Checks and Balances: The structure of the legislature, with different forms of representation, contributed to the system of checks and balances.
- π Enduring Relevance: Understanding these original debates helps us appreciate the complex origins of American democracy and the compromises necessary to form a lasting union.
π Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans!
- π€ Which plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state?
- π³οΈ The Virginia Plan advocated for representation based on what factors?
- π What kind of executive did the New Jersey Plan propose?
- βοΈ Which compromise resolved the conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
- π Who is often credited with drafting the Virginia Plan?
- π Which plan was favored by larger states due to its representation proposals?
- π€ The ultimate resolution of the representation debate resulted in a legislature with how many houses?