What was the conflict between supporters of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan? How did The Great Compromise resolve the conflict?
The conflict between the supporters of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan revolved around the representation of states in the legislative branch of the new government. The Virginia Plan, put forward by the larger states, proposed a bicameral legislature where representation would be based on population, giving more power to the more populous states. On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, supported by the smaller states, called for a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation, regardless of population.
The supporters of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan had conflicting interests, with the larger states wanting more influence in the new government while the smaller states wanted to ensure they were not overshadowed by their larger counterparts. This led to a gridlock in the Constitutional Convention as neither side was willing to compromise on their demands.
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was proposed by Roger Sherman and delegates from Connecticut. It resolved the conflict between the supporters of the two plans by creating a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives would be based on population, satisfying the Virginia Plan supporters, while the Senate would have equal representation for each state, addressing the concerns of the New Jersey Plan supporters.
By incorporating elements from both the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, the Great Compromise struck a balance between the interests of the larger and smaller states. This compromise laid the foundation for the structure of the United States Congress as it exists today.
The Virginia Plan vs. The New Jersey Plan
The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It advocated for a bicameral legislature where representation in both houses would be based on population. This would give larger states more influence in decision-making processes. The Virginia Plan also suggested that the national government should have the power to veto state laws.
On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan, introduced by William Paterson, aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation rather than create a new constitution. It proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation, ensuring that smaller states would not be marginalized in the new government.
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise, proposed on July 16, 1787, by Roger Sherman, offered a middle ground between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. It established a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate where each state would have two senators, regardless of size. This compromise ensured that both large and small states had a fair representation in the federal government.
Significance of The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise was crucial in resolving the deadlock between the supporters of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. It demonstrated the spirit of compromise and cooperation among the delegates of the Constitutional Convention. By finding a middle ground, the Great Compromise laid the groundwork for a strong federal government that balanced the interests of all states, leading to the successful ratification of the United States Constitution.
In conclusion, the conflict between the supporters of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was resolved through the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature that incorporated elements from both plans. This compromise ensured a fair representation for both larger and smaller states in the newly formed federal government, ultimately shaping the structure of the United States Congress.