At the Constitutional Convention, Why Smaller States Supported the New Jersey Plan

Understanding the New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey plan supported at the Constitutional Convention called for a legislature in which the number of representatives would be equal for each state. As opposed to the Virginia Plan which proposed representation based on population, the New Jersey Plan aimed to give each state an equal amount of votes in the legislature. This had a significant impact on the smaller states and led to their support for this plan.

Reasons for Small States' Support

Small states like the New Jersey plan for government for several reasons:

  1. Equal Representation: The New Jersey plan aimed to provide equal representation for each state in the legislature. This was appealing to smaller states as it meant they would have a voice and influence in the government equal to that of larger states.
  2. Prevention of Tyranny: By ensuring that each state had an equal number of representatives, smaller states believed they could prevent larger states from dominating the government and imposing their will on smaller states.
  3. Protection of State Interests: The New Jersey plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states by giving them an equal say in the governance of the nation. This was seen as vital to ensuring that smaller states were not overshadowed by larger states.
At the Constitutional convention, smaller states supported the New Jersey delegation's plan for government. Why did small states like this plan? A) The New Jersey plan called for a bicameral legislature with one house's representation based upon population and another house's representation based upon equality. B) The New Jersey plan called for a direct democracy in which all citizens would directly vote upon any Acts presented in Congress. C) The New Jersey plan called for a legislature that would be represented based upon population of each state. D) The New Jersey plan called for a legislature in which the number of representatives would be equal for each state.

The answer is D. William Patterson’s “New Jersey Plan” supported giving each state an equal amount of votes. Instead of the plan we use today which states that each state has the same number of senators and different numbers of congressmen (House of Representatives) based on the population of each state. The reason why smaller states approved of this plan is because if each state has an equal amount of representatives, then the smaller states will be equal to states that have a larger population. This plan is similar to The Articles to the Confederation. Which we know was not successful. Fortunately, people did not support this plan because they believed that this plan would make the national government they wanted weak.

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