The Virginia Plan vs. The New Jersey Plan: Understanding the Differences

Understanding the Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan:

• Proposed by James Madison
• Advocated for a strong national government
• Called for three branches of government
• Suggested a bicameral legislature with proportional representation
• Significantly influenced the final structure of the US Constitution

The Virginia Plan played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the United States government by proposing a system that balanced the power between the states and the central government. Its emphasis on proportional representation and the separation of powers laid the foundation for the new nation's governance system.