At the Constitutional Convention, Larger States Supported the Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention

At the Constitutional Convention, larger states eagerly supported the Virginia Plan. The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison in 1787, called for representation in the legislative branch based on each state's population size. This meant that larger states would have more representatives compared to smaller states.

Why Larger States Supported the Virginia Plan

Larger states supported the Virginia Plan because it allowed for proportional representation. Since larger states had bigger populations, they wanted to ensure that they had a stronger voice in the government. The Virginia Plan's focus on population-based representation appealed to these larger states.

The Virginia Plan vs. the New Jersey Plan

The Virginia Plan was in contrast to the New Jersey Plan, which proposed equal representation for all states regardless of population size. Large states favored the Virginia Plan over the New Jersey Plan because it gave them more influence and power in the legislative branch.

The Great Compromise

The Virginia Plan eventually led to the Great Compromise, which combined elements of both the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. This compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature with one house based on population (House of Representatives) and the other providing equal representation for each state (Senate).

Why did larger states support the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention?

Based on historical evidence, larger states supported the Virginia Plan because it proposed representation according to population size in the legislative branch. This allowed larger states to have more representatives and therefore more influence in the government.