When the founding fathers of the United States gathered for the Constitutional Convention in 1787, they faced the daunting task of creating a document that would establish the framework for a new nation. During the convention, several different plans were proposed and debated, each with its own vision for how the government should be structured. The answers provided in the Constitutional Convention PDF allow us to compare these plans and understand the compromises that were ultimately made.
One of the most influential plans presented at the convention was the Virginia Plan, put forth by James Madison. This plan called for a strong central government with three separate branches – legislative, executive, and judicial. Representation in the legislative branch would be based on a state’s population, which favored larger states. This plan was met with opposition from smaller states, leading to the creation of the New Jersey Plan.
The New Jersey Plan, put forward by William Paterson, sought to preserve the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation. It proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, ensuring that smaller states would have a voice in the government. This plan provided a counterpoint to the Virginia Plan and sparked a heated debate between the delegates.
Comparing Plans of the Constitutional Convention Answers PDF
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a crucial event in the establishment of the United States government. During the convention, delegates from the thirteen states gathered to discuss and create a stronger central government to replace the Articles of Confederation. Several plans were proposed, and comparing these plans is essential to understanding the development of the final Constitution.
The Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, was the most influential plan discussed during the convention. It called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population. This plan favored the larger states, as they would have more power and influence in the legislature. The Virginia Plan also proposed a strong executive branch and judiciary, with the power to veto legislation.
The New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, aimed to protect the small states’ interests. It proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state. Under this plan, smaller states would have an equal voice in government, preventing the larger states from dominating the decision-making process. The New Jersey Plan also sought to strengthen the central government but without diminishing the power of the states too much.
The Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, played a crucial role in resolving the differences between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Proposed by Roger Sherman, it combined elements from both plans. It called for a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for each state. This compromise balanced the interests of both large and small states and became the basis for the current structure of the United States Congress.
- Virginia Plan: Bicameral legislature, representation based on population, strong executive and judiciary
- New Jersey Plan: Unicameral legislature, equal representation for each state, protection of small states’ interests
- Connecticut Compromise: Bicameral legislature, House of Representatives based on population, Senate with equal representation for each state
In conclusion, comparing the plans of the Constitutional Convention is essential to understanding the compromises and negotiations that took place to create the final Constitution. The Virginia Plan favored larger states, the New Jersey Plan protected smaller states, and the Connecticut Compromise found a middle ground that balanced both interests. The Convention’s discussions and eventual compromises shaped the structure and functioning of the United States government as we know it today.
The Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan, was proposed by the Virginia delegation during the Constitutional Convention. It was presented by Virginia delegate Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787. The plan was significant because it formed the basis for much of the debate and discussion during the convention, and ultimately influenced the structure and content of the United States Constitution.
The Virginia Plan called for a strong central government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch would be bicameral, consisting of two houses: the lower house, known as the House of Representatives, and the upper house, known as the Senate. The number of representatives in both houses would be determined by the population of each state.
The Virginia Plan also proposed that the executive branch be headed by a single executive, called the President, who would be elected by the national legislature. The President would have the power to veto legislation and be responsible for executing the laws. The plan also called for a national judiciary, with judges appointed by the Executive and approved by the national legislature.
One of the key features of the Virginia Plan was its commitment to proportional representation based on population. This meant that states with larger populations would have more representatives in the national legislature, giving them greater influence and power. This aspect of the plan was a point of contention during the convention, as smaller states feared that their interests would be overshadowed by larger states.
- The Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
- The legislative branch would be bicameral, with the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The executive branch would be led by a single President.
- The plan called for proportional representation based on population.
In summary, the Virginia Plan was a comprehensive proposal that sought to establish a strong central government and provide equal representation for states based on their population size. While it faced opposition from smaller states, it laid the foundation for much of the debate and compromise during the Constitutional Convention and ultimately shaped the structure of the United States Constitution.
The New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan, also known as the Small States Plan, was a proposal put forth during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 by the smaller states. It was designed as an alternative to the Virginia Plan, which favored the larger states.
The main goal of the New Jersey Plan was to preserve the sovereignty and power of the smaller states. It called for a unicameral legislature, where each state would have an equal vote regardless of its size or population. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on each state’s population.
The New Jersey Plan also sought to strengthen the powers of the central government, while still maintaining a balance of power between the states and the federal government. It included provisions for a single executive, a judiciary, and the ability to levy taxes and regulate commerce.
- Unicameral legislature with equal state representation
- Preservation of state sovereignty
- Strengthening of central government
While the New Jersey Plan did not become the basis for the final Constitution, some of its ideas and principles were incorporated into the Great Compromise, which ultimately helped to bridge the divide between the larger and smaller states. The compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
The New Jersey Plan was an important contribution to the Constitutional Convention as it emphasized the need to consider the interests and concerns of the smaller states. It ensured that their voices were heard and helped to shape the final structure of the United States government.
The Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was a key agreement reached during the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It resolved the contentious issue of representation in the legislative branch of the newly proposed United States government.
The issue at hand was whether each state should have an equal vote in the legislature or if representation should be based on the state’s population. Larger states argued for proportional representation, while smaller states favored equal representation.
The Connecticut Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut, sought to strike a balance between these two competing interests. The compromise established a bicameral legislature, with one house having equal representation for each state (the Senate) and the other house having representation based on population (the House of Representatives).
In the words of Alexander Hamilton:
“Here every interest, every feeling, every passion underwent a scrutiny more or less severe, and was either approved or condemned by the voice of the convention. The Connecticut plan, as it is called, at this moment, is one of those complex, yet simple results, which sometimes must be produced by philosophical experiment, in order to expose the fallacy of metaphysical hypotheses. The convention was divided upon the question, how shall the national legislature be constituted? In discussing it, personal dignity had some influence. Jealousy had more; but the great states, as they are commonly called, regarded each other as natural enemies: so that reason has rather been the accidental instrument, than the guiding aim of politics.”
The Connecticut Compromise was crucial in ensuring the adoption of the United States Constitution. It satisfied both the larger and smaller states by preserving their respective interests and preventing a stalemate that could have derailed the entire constitutional process. The compromise laid the foundation for the present-day structure of the United States Congress and has been a lasting example of the necessity of finding common ground in a diverse and divided nation.
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a pivotal agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The Convention was tasked with constructing a new plan of government for the United States, as the Articles of Confederation were proving to be ineffective. The Great Compromise addressed the issue of how states would be represented in the new government, and it played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the United States Congress.
Prior to the Great Compromise, debates arose between larger and smaller states regarding representation in the legislature. The Virginia Plan, proposed by the larger states, called for representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan, proposed by the smaller states, called for equal representation for all states. These views seemed incompatible, and tensions ran high during the heated discussions.
The Great Compromise, put forward by Roger Sherman of Connecticut, resolved the conflict by creating a two-house legislature. The first house, the House of Representatives, would have representation based on population, satisfying the larger states. The second house, the Senate, would have equal representation for each state, satisfying the smaller states. This compromise struck a balance between the two conflicting interests and allowed for fair representation of both the larger and smaller states in the federal government.
Key features of the Great Compromise:
- Created a bicameral (two-house) legislature
- House of Representatives would have representation based on population
- Senate would have equal representation for each state
- Ensured fair representation for both larger and smaller states
- Laid the foundation for the current structure of the United States Congress
The Great Compromise was a significant achievement in the history of the United States, as it helped overcome the impasse between the larger and smaller states. It demonstrated the willingness of the delegates to find a middle ground and make compromises for the greater good of the nation. Without the Great Compromise, it is likely that the Constitution would not have been ratified, and the United States may have struggled to establish a strong and unified government.
Key Similarities and Differences
The plans discussed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 shared some similarities but also had significant differences. Here, we will summarize the key similarities and differences between the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Connecticut Compromise.
Similarities:
- Representation: All three plans addressed the issue of representation in the legislative branch. They recognized the need for a bicameral legislature, with a lower house and an upper house.
- Checks and Balances: The plans emphasized the importance of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. They all proposed a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Powers of Congress: Each plan granted Congress the authority to tax and regulate commerce. They also provided for the creation of a national judiciary.
Differences:
- Representation: The Virginia Plan proposed a legislature based on population, giving larger states more representation. The New Jersey Plan, on the other hand, called for equal representation for all states, regardless of size. The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, combined aspects of both plans by suggesting a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.
- Executive Branch: The Virginia Plan proposed the creation of a strong executive branch, with the executive chosen by the legislature. The New Jersey Plan suggested a multi-person executive elected by Congress. The Connecticut Compromise maintained a single executive, known as the President, chosen through a system of electoral college.
- Powers of Congress: While all plans granted Congress the power to tax and regulate commerce, the Virginia Plan gave the national government more extensive powers than the New Jersey Plan. The Connecticut Compromise balanced these powers by granting Congress authority over specific areas, such as defense and foreign policy, while leaving other matters to the states.
In conclusion, the plans discussed during the Constitutional Convention had similar goals of representation, checks and balances, and granting powers to Congress. However, they differed in their approaches to representation, the structure of the executive branch, and the extent of Congress’s powers. The Connecticut Compromise ultimately served as the basis for the final Constitution, incorporating elements from both the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.