Main Concerns of Critics of the Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, written by James Madison, served as the starting point from which the Constitutional Convention and proposed the basic structure of the United States government as it would eventually stand. However, this plan was not without its critics and their primary criticism focused on the very issue that the nation would deal with for generations to come.

A main concern for critics of the Virginia Plan was that a strong President would gain king-like power.

Concerns of Critics of the Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan, was a proposal for a bicameral legislative branch in the United States national government. It also called for a strong executive and a national judiciary. While the plan laid the foundation for what would become the Constitution of the United States, it was not without its critics.

One of the main concerns raised by critics of the Virginia Plan was the fear of a strong President gaining king-like power. This concern stemmed from the belief that a powerful executive could potentially abuse their authority, similar to how a monarch might rule with absolute power. Critics worried that a strong President could become authoritarian and threaten the principles of democracy and individual freedoms.

Furthermore, critics of the Virginia Plan raised concerns about the balance of power between the different branches of government. They argued that a powerful executive, as outlined in the plan, could overshadow the role of the legislative and judicial branches, leading to an imbalance of power and potentially undermining the system of checks and balances.

Ultimately, the concerns of critics of the Virginia Plan played a significant role in shaping the final Constitution of the United States. Through debates and compromises, the Founding Fathers were able to address these concerns and establish a system of government that balanced power among the three branches and safeguarded against the concentration of authority in any one branch.