At the Constitutional Convention, why did Virginia favor a plan by which states with larger populations would have more voting power in Congress than states with smaller populations?

Question

At the Constitutional Convention, why did Virginia favor a plan by which states with larger populations would have more voting power in Congress than states with smaller populations?

Thanks
-MC

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Plan

Because Virginia had the largest population of all the colonies. Greed and self-interest is a powerful motivator.

Answer 2

the orlando population is 2,082,628 it is the 5th largest city by population.

Answer 3

Virginia favored a plan at the Constitutional Convention known as the Virginia Plan, which called for representation in Congress to be based on the population of each state. There were several reasons why Virginia supported this approach:

1. Population Size: Virginia, being one of the most populous states at the time, stood to benefit from a plan that afforded more voting power to states with larger populations. This would ensure that Virginia's interests and concerns were adequately represented in the national legislature.

2. Political Influence: Virginia also had a strong political influence due to its prominent leaders, such as James Madison and George Washington, who played crucial roles in shaping the Constitution. By advocating for representation based on population, Virginia aimed to consolidate its political power and maintain its influence in the national government.

3. Historical Precedence: The precedent for using population as a basis for representation was set by the Articles of Confederation, the original governing document of the United States. Under the Articles, the number of representatives for each state was determined by its population. Virginia argued that continuing this method of representation would ensure consistency and continuity in the new Constitution.

To find more information about why Virginia favored the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention, you can refer to primary sources such as the notes from the Convention, including the Virginia Plan itself. Historical accounts and analyses of the Convention also provide insight into the debates and arguments put forth by Virginia delegates. Additionally, exploring the writings and speeches of Virginia's influential figures during that time, such as James Madison's Federalist Papers, can offer further perspectives on their rationale.