The Virginia Plan supported by large states proposed a unicameral Congress, while the New Jersey Plan suggested representation based on population.
In the context of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were two significant proposals that shaped the structure of the United States government.
The Virginia Plan, supported primarily by large states, advocated for a bicameral legislature where representation in both houses would be based on population.
This meant that more populous states would have a greater influence in the decision-making process, reflecting the interests and concerns of their larger populations.
Contrary to the assertion that the Virginia Plan proposed a unicameral Congress, it actually proposed a bicameral legislature with representation determined by population size.
The plan, put forward by James Madison, became a focal point of debate during the convention, pitting the interests of larger states against those of smaller states.
On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, supported by smaller states, proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation, irrespective of population.
This safeguarded the interests of smaller states, ensuring that they would have a voice in the legislative process comparable to that of larger states.
Ultimately, the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, emerged, combining elements of both plans.
It resulted in a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for each state.
This compromise laid the foundation for the structure of the U.S. Congress and addressed the concerns of both large and small states, contributing to the successful drafting of the United States Constitution.