Questions and Answers
What is the New Jersey Plan known as?
What type of legislature does the Virginia Plan propose?
Bicameral
What is the representation basis of the New Jersey Plan?
State based
What does the Virginia Plan allow the national government to do?
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What is a characteristic of the New Jersey Plan's legislature?
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How did the Virginia Plan's representation differ from the New Jersey Plan?
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The New Jersey Plan aimed to maintain the structure of the ______.
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Which plan for representation advocated for the voice of less populous states?
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Which plan aimed for greater representation for more populous states?
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What did supporters of the Virginia Plan believe was vital to the success of the United States?
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What was the motivation for those who introduced the Virginia Plan?
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What central debate characterized the discussion over the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
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Study Notes
New Jersey Plan
- Known as the "small state plan"
- Proposed a unicameral legislature
- Each state represented equally, regardless of population size
- National government focused on defense and did not have overriding authority over states
Virginia Plan
- Referred to as the "large state plan"
- Called for a bicameral legislature
- Representation based on state population; larger populations afforded more representation
- Allowed national government to legislate for states and veto state laws
Key Characteristics of Virginia Plan
- Introduced a two-house legislature
- Lower house representation elected based on population
- Upper house representatives chosen by members of the lower house
Key Characteristics of New Jersey Plan
- Advocated for a one-house legislature
- Every state received one vote, ensuring equal influence
Differences between Plans
- Virginia Plan favored representation proportional to population size, enhancing power for larger states
- New Jersey Plan aimed for equal representation, protecting interests of smaller states
State and Federal Sovereignty
- New Jersey Plan proponents emphasized state power over national authority
- Virginia Plan supporters advocated for a stronger national government capable of overriding state laws
- Virginia Plan deemed effective representation as achievable primarily at the national level
Representation Advocacy
- New Jersey Plan aimed to safeguard minority voices of less populous states
- Virginia Plan sought increased legislative power and representation for more populous states
Underlying Motivations
- Virginia Plan proponents aimed to shift more authority to the national government, benefiting larger states
- New Jersey Plan aimed to preserve the framework of the Articles of Confederation, promoting equal state representation
Central Debate
- Core debate centered on whether the national government should represent the people directly or represent states' interests
- Distinction was crucial in determining the structure and authority of the future government
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Description
Explore key concepts of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans through flashcards. Learn about the differences in representation and the structure of the legislature in each plan. Perfect for understanding the debates that shaped the U.S. Constitution.