New Jersey Plan Overview

Overview

• The "New Jersey Plan" was a proposal for the structure of the United States government presented at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
• It was proposed by William Paterson, a New Jersey delegate.
• This plan argued for a unicameral legislature, where each state would have an equal vote, hence the name "New Jersey Plan."
• It stood in contrast to the "Virginia Plan," which proposed a bicameral legislature with representation proportional to a state's population.

Key Features of the New Jersey Plan

• Called for a unicameral (one-house) legislature.
• Each state, regardless of its population size, would have one vote in the legislature.
• The legislature would have the power to raise revenue through taxes and duties.
• It proposed a national executive, chosen by the legislature.
• It proposed a national judiciary, with judges appointed by the executive.
• A strengthened national government compared to the Articles of Confederation.

Contrast with the Virginia Plan

• The Virginia Plan advocated for a bicameral legislature (two houses).
• Representation in the legislature would be proportional to a state's population.
• Bigger states would have more power in the legislative branch.

Significance

• The New Jersey plan was an important counterpoint to the Virginia Plan, showcasing the different interests and priorities of the states.
• It highlighted the concerns of smaller states about being overshadowed by larger states in a national government.
• A key debate at the Constitutional Convention revolved around the differing viewpoints about state representation.
• The final outcome was a compromise that included elements from both plans (the Connecticut Compromise), leading to the structure of the United States Congress we know today.

Implications

• The debate over representation demonstrated the difficulty in balancing the interests of different states during the formation of the nation.
• The New Jersey Plan reflected a desire for a more unified national government within a framework that respected the sovereignty and equality of states.
• It underscored the complexities of creating a system that satisfied both large and small states.