Constitutional Convention
Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan
Constitutional Convention
- May 25, 1787
- 12/13 states represented
- Rhode Island was not represented
- Delegates drafted the framework of a new government
- Meetings were in secret and excluded the public as well as the press
- Delegates originally met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, but a totally new government was agreed upon in the end
The Virginia Plan
- One of two major plans from the Constitutional Convention
- Ideas borrowed from James Madison
- This plan wanted to split the government into three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive
- Each branch would have to power to check the others
- This plan wanted a strong national government that could override state laws, control interstate commerce, levy taxes, and have the power to make laws.
- Additionally, this plan wanted a bicameral legislature with membership depending upon state population
- Lower house members would be elected directly by the people and upper house members would be selected by state legislatures
Supporters of the Virginia Plan
James Madison
- The genius behind the plan
- Political theorist
- Fourth President of the United States
- Member of the Continental Congress before the Constitutional Convention
- Democratic-Republican Party
- Collaborated closely with George Washington
- Played many important roles and heavily influenced the rapidly evolving government
Edmund Randolph
- He was a Virginia delegate at the Constitutional Convention
- He introduced the Virginia Plan at the Convention
- Edmund fought for a strong, central government and for three chief executives
- Federalist
- He proposed a national court system
- 2nd United States Secretary of State
- While serving as a delegate, he continued to practice private law and legally assist George Washington
Larger States
Large states would have more representatives than small states with a system based on population. For this reason, large states supported the Virginia Plan while small states did not.
The New Jersey Plan
- This plan rivaled the Virginia Plan
- Smaller states were concerned the Virginia Plan would place too much power in the hands of the larger states
- This plan supported a strong central government comprised of three branches
- The concept was for this plan to remain close to the Articles of Confederation
- Unicameral legislature
- Each state would have one vote
- Each state would be equally represented and population would not matter
- Support came from primarily small states
- The plan was rejected at the Convention
Supporters of the New Jersey Plan
William Paterson
- New Jersey Delegate
- Supported equal Senate representation
- Kept the best for the small states in mind
- He proposed this plan while at the Constitutional Convention
- Federalist
- Worked in the justice system
Alexander Hamilton
- New York Delegate
- Supported equal representation because he was from a smaller state
- Federalist
- Served in the legislature
- Huge supporter of a strong central government
- He didn't always agree with the other delegates from his state
Small States
Smaller states wanted equal representation to keep larger states from holding all of the power. The promises of the New Jersey Plan pleased the small states and they were quick to show their support.
Convention Problems
- The New Jersey Plan was rejected but the Virginia Plan wasn't necessarily agreed upon
- The Convention was stuck in a standstill for a bit
- Tempers were out of control
- It seemed as though the entire event would fall apart and be for nought
- The saving grace of this convention was compromises