What is the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan?

http://library.thinkquest.org/11572/creation/framing/va_nj_plans.html

The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were two competing proposals for the structure of the United States government during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. To understand these plans, it is helpful to have some background knowledge about the context in which they were presented.

The United States was initially governed under the Articles of Confederation, but it soon became clear that the national government created by the Articles was too weak, leading to various issues and challenges. As a result, delegates from different states convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft a new constitution that would create a stronger central government.

During the discussions at the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan emerged as two distinct visions for the new government. Here's an explanation of each plan:

1. Virginia Plan:
The Virginia Plan was proposed by James Madison, but its main architect was Virginia delegate Edmund Randolph. It called for a strong national government with three separate branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Key features of the Virginia Plan included:
- The legislative branch would have two houses, with representation in both houses based on the population of each state. This would give larger states more power in the government.
- The executive branch would be led by a single president, elected by Congress, and would have certain veto powers over legislation.
- The judiciary would consist of national courts, including a supreme court, that would interpret and apply the laws.

2. New Jersey Plan:
The New Jersey Plan was presented by William Paterson of New Jersey as an alternative to the Virginia Plan. It aimed to protect the interests of smaller states that felt they would be overshadowed by the larger states under the Virginia Plan. Key features of the New Jersey Plan included:
- The legislative branch would consist of a single house, with each state having equal representation. This would ensure that all states, regardless of size, would have an equal voice in the government.
- The executive branch would be composed of multiple individuals chosen by Congress, serving as a committee rather than a single president.
- The judiciary would remain largely the same as under the Articles of Confederation.

Ultimately, neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan was adopted in its original form. Instead, a compromise known as the Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise, was reached. This compromise led to the creation of a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on the population of each state and the Senate providing equal representation for all states. This balanced the interests of both larger and smaller states and became a crucial element of the Constitution that was ultimately drafted and ratified.