The New Jersey Plan: Key Terms and Implications

During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the delegates were divided on how the legislative branch of the government should be structured. The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, giving more power to larger states.

In contrast, the New Jersey Plan, put forth by William Paterson, sought to create a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states. This meant that regardless of the state's size or population, each state would have the same voice and vote in the legislative process.

The key terms of the New Jersey Plan included:

1. Unicameral Legislature

The New Jersey Plan proposed a single-chamber legislature where each state would have equal representation, ensuring that smaller states would not be overshadowed by larger ones.

2. Equal Representation

Under the New Jersey Plan, each state would have an equal vote in the legislative body, regardless of its population. This provision aimed to prevent larger states from dominating the decision-making process.

3. Congressional Powers

In addition to the structure of the legislature, the New Jersey Plan granted Congress the authority to regulate commerce, generate revenue through taxes and tariffs, and enforce its mandates on the states. This gave the federal government more control over economic matters.

The New Jersey Plan reflected the concerns of smaller states that feared being marginalized in a system that favored population-based representation. By advocating for equal state sovereignty and representation, the plan aimed to ensure that all states had a voice in the federal government's decisions.

Ultimately, the compromise known as the Great Compromise combined elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, establishing a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for all states.