larger states
Virginia plan
smaller ones
The Virginia Plan was one of the proposed plans on how power would be divided between the original thirteen colonies. This particular plan said that every state should have a number of representatives based on the population of the colony. The smaller colonies felt this gave them way too little representation.
Large states favored the Virginia Plan because it proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, which would give them more political power and influence in the new government. This plan aligned with their interests, as they had larger populations and would benefit from greater representation compared to smaller states. Additionally, the Virginia Plan aimed to create a stronger central government, which appealed to large states seeking to enhance their economic and political standing.
The Virginia Plan, in having a unicameral legislature whose delegates are assigned by population (much like having just the House of Representatives), favored large states, because their large populations would give them power.
states with smaller populations
Small states were upset about the Virginia Plan because it proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, which would favor larger states. This meant that smaller states would have less influence and power in the legislative process, as their populations were significantly lower. They feared that this imbalance would undermine their interests and lead to dominance by more populous states. In response, they advocated for the New Jersey Plan, which called for equal representation regardless of state size.
NEW JERSEY PLAN: STRENGTHS: # IT WOULD GIVE FAIR REPRESENTATON TO EVERYONE. # THE SMALL STATES APROVED IT. WEAKNESS: # THE LARGER STATES WOULDNT HAVE ENOUGHT VOTES ON THEIR FAVOR # THE LARGER STATES DIDINT AGREE WITH IT.
Large states favored the Virginia Plan because it proposed a congressional representation system based on population, which would allow them to wield more political power relative to smaller states. This plan aimed to create a stronger national government with a bicameral legislature, where both houses would reflect the population size of each state. Consequently, larger states stood to gain greater influence in legislative decisions and the shaping of national policy.
During the Constitutional Convention, delegates from smaller states were in favor of equal representation in Congress, which led to the creation of the Senate where each state, regardless of size, would have two senators. They feared that larger states would dominate legislative decisions if representation were based solely on population. This concern was a key factor in the Great Compromise, which balanced representation by establishing a bicameral legislature.
The Virginia Plan, proposed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, proposed a bicameral legislature (a legislative branch with two houses: an upper and a lower), where the lower house was elected by the people, and the upper house by the lower house. It favored larger states, such as Virginia, by proposing a representation in voting based on population.
Many of the larger states that knew they would get better representation voted in favor of this, such as New York and other densely populated areas. The supporters of the New Jesey plan were smaller staes, because the New Jersey Plan offered equal represenation. Small states such as Delaware preferred this plan much more.