how did the new jersey and Virginia plan lead to the great compromise
http://homepage.smc.edu/berman_dianne/plan.html
http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_greatcompromise.htm
The New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan were two competing proposals put forward during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to outline the structure and powers of the United States government. These differing plans played a significant role in the development of the Great Compromise, which ultimately led to the creation of our current system of government.
To understand how the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan led to the Great Compromise, we need to delve into the details of each plan:
1. The New Jersey Plan:
- Proposed by William Paterson, a delegate from New Jersey.
- Advocated for a unicameral (single-house) legislature, where each state would have equal representation.
- Gave the federal government the power to tax and regulate trade, creating a more centralized system than the existing Articles of Confederation.
2. The Virginia Plan:
- Proposed by James Madison, a delegate from Virginia.
- Advocated for a bicameral (two-house) legislature, with representation based on each state's population or wealth.
- Favored large states, as they would have greater representation and influence.
Both plans had their merits and flaws, but they highlighted the division between large and small states regarding the representation issue. The smaller states feared being overwhelmed by the larger ones and believed in equal representation, while larger states sought representation proportional to their population.
To address the deadlock caused by these conflicting proposals, Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut, proposed a compromise that became known as the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise:
1. Bicameral Legislature: It established a two-house legislature comprising:
- The Senate: Each state would have equal representation with two senators, satisfying the small states.
- The House of Representatives: Representation would be based on each state's population, helping to appease the larger states.
2. Voting Power: The Great Compromise balanced the interests of the small and large states by agreeing that all tax and revenue bills would originate in the House of Representatives, which catered to the population-based representation, whereas the Senate would have an equal representation role in confirming appointments and ratifying treaties.
The Great Compromise successfully bridged the ideological gap between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan and provided a framework for the future functioning of the United States government. It balanced the interests of both small and large states, ensuring equal representation in one house and proportional representation in the other, thus leading to the acceptance and adoption of the compromise by the Constitutional Convention.