Constitutional Convention Snapshot
By Jarrett Souders
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention took place from May 25th to September 17th 1787. Every state excluding Rhode Island sent delegation to the convention. The convention was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, although James Madison drafted what was called the Virginia plan, which called for a strong national government. William Paterson countered with the New Jersey plan. After a few months of compromises were made, a final draft was made and the delegates voted on the new constitution. 39 out of 55 delegates voted for the new constitution to pass.
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan was proposed by Edmund Randolph and drafted by James Madison. The plan called for a bicameral legislature. The plan also stated that each state would be granted more representatives depending on the population of the state.
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan was proposed by William Paterson and supported by David Brearley. The Plan called for a unicameral legislature and stated that each state would receive two representatives regardless of population.
Supporters of Virginia Plan
James Madison and Edmund Randolph were both delegates sent from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention. At the convection, Edmund Randolph proposed the Virginia Plan. James Madison then wrote a draft of the plan.
Supporters of the New Jersey Plan
William Paterson and David Brearley were both delegates sent from New Jersey to the Constitutional Convention. William Paterson and David Brearley supported the New Jersey Plan and directly opposed the Virginia Plan.
Problems at the Convention
The problems at the convention was that it took all of summer to compromise on the two different plans at the convention. Another problem was to decide if slaves should count as part of a states population.