Understanding the Virginia Plan and Its Impact on the Formation of the US Legislature

Explaining the Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan was proposed during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 with the aim of creating a new system of government for the United States. This plan advocated for a bicameral legislature, meaning a two-house system, where each state's representation was based on its population.

Under the Virginia Plan, the lower house of the legislature would have representatives elected based on the population of each state. This meant that larger states would have more representatives compared to smaller states. Supporters of the Virginia Plan believed that this system would provide fair representation based on each state's population size and reflect the diversity of the nation.

However, the Virginia Plan faced opposition from smaller states, who felt that their interests would be marginalized in a system where representation was determined by population. In response to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan was proposed by smaller states, advocating for equal representation for all states in a unicameral legislature.

In conclusion, the Virginia Plan called for a legislative system that favored states with larger populations, while smaller states sought equal representation. This debate over representation ultimately shaped the design of the US Congress and influenced the compromises made during the Constitutional Convention.