Simone Lawson
The New Jersey Plan was an alternative proposal for the drafting of the US Constitution, put forward at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It was written and presented by William Paterson, with the assistance of delegates from Connecticut, Maryland, and New York. The plan aimed to benefit smaller states by maintaining a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population size. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation. While the New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected, it influenced the final structure of Congress through the Connecticut Compromise, which combined elements of both plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To amend the structure of the government |
| Type of legislature | Unicameral |
| Number of representatives | One per state |
| Type of representation | Equal representation per state, regardless of population |
| Powers of Congress | Expanded powers, including the ability to raise funds via tariffs and regulate commerce |
| Support | Supported by less populous states; opposed by more populous states |
| Outcome | Rejected by delegates; however, some elements were incorporated into the Connecticut Compromise |
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What You'll Learn
The New Jersey Plan's unicameral legislature
The New Jersey Plan, also known as "The Small State Plan" or "The Paterson Plan", was introduced at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia. The plan was proposed by William Paterson, the head of the New Jersey delegation, with the assistance of delegates from Connecticut, Maryland, and New York.
The New Jersey Plan called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of its population. This proposal reflected the belief that the states were independent entities and that their interests should be protected. The plan aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation, which were considered too weak and ineffective in providing adequate governing power.
The unicameral legislature proposed by the New Jersey Plan stood in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which advocated for a bicameral legislature with proportional representation based on state population. The Virginia Plan, largely written by James Madison, proposed a centralized government and a completely new constitution.
The New Jersey Plan was intended to benefit small states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, by ensuring they had equal representation in the legislature. However, it was criticized by delegates from more populous states, who argued that it would limit their influence in the national government.
Although the New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected, it played a significant role in shaping the current structure of Congress. The Connecticut Compromise, which reconciled the proposals of the New Jersey and Virginia Plans, resulted in a Senate with equal representation for each state and a House of Representatives with proportional representation based on population. This compromise ensured that the interests of both small and large states were considered in the final structure of the government.
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Expansion of Congress's power
The New Jersey Plan, introduced on June 15, 1787, by William Paterson, was a proposal to amend the structure of the government. It was presented as an alternative to the Virginia Plan, which advocated for a centralized government, a bicameral legislature, and state representation based on population. The New Jersey Plan aimed to benefit smaller states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, by providing them with greater representation and power.
One of the key features of the New Jersey Plan was its proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of its population. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan's proposal for proportional representation, which would have given larger states a greater number of representatives and, consequently, more power. The New Jersey Plan sought to address the concerns of smaller states, which feared that their interests would be overshadowed by those of more populous states under the Virginia Plan.
The New Jersey Plan also sought to expand Congress's power by granting it additional authority beyond what was outlined in the Articles of Confederation. Specifically, the plan proposed that Congress be empowered to raise funds through tariffs and other measures and to regulate interstate commerce and commerce with other nations. This expansion of congressional power was designed to address the limitations of the Articles of Confederation, which had been criticized for its failure to provide an executive branch or grant Congress the power to levy taxes.
While the New Jersey Plan did not ultimately succeed, it played a significant role in shaping the Connecticut Compromise, which combined elements of both the New Jersey and Virginia Plans. The Connecticut Compromise led to the creation of a Senate, in which states have equal representation, and a House of Representatives, in which representation is based on population. This compromise ensured that the interests of both smaller and larger states were considered and protected.
Overall, the New Jersey Plan's influence on the expansion of congressional power was substantial, even if it was not fully adopted. It reflected the belief that states were independent entities that deserved equal representation and empowered Congress to address the challenges of governing an independent nation.
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The Connecticut Compromise
The Compromise was approved on July 16, 1787, after six weeks of turmoil and debate. It played a significant role in shaping the current structure of Congress in the United States, ensuring that the influence of small states was protected.
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The plan's influence on the Bill of Rights
The New Jersey Plan, introduced in 1787, was a proposal to amend the structure of the US government. It was put forward as a counter to the Virginia Plan, which smaller states saw as biased in favour of larger states. The New Jersey Plan called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population size. This reflected the belief that states were independent entities and wanted to maintain their influence in the national government.
Although the New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected, it played a significant role in shaping the final structure of Congress. Following its defeat, delegates continued to debate representation and the concerns of less populous states. This led to the Connecticut Compromise, which combined elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. The Compromise resulted in the creation of a Senate, where each state has equal representation, and a House of Representatives, where representation is based on population.
The influence of the New Jersey Plan on the Bill of Rights can be seen in its impact on the structure of Congress and the protection of state and individual rights. The plan's proposal for equal representation in the Senate ensured that states with smaller populations would have a voice in the legislature. This helped to address concerns about government overreach and the protection of state and individual rights, which were important issues for Anti-federalists.
The New Jersey Plan's focus on maintaining state power and independence also influenced the Bill of Rights. The plan's authors wanted to revise the Articles of Confederation to keep power in the hands of the states, rather than a strong central government. This sentiment was reflected in the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed certain rights and freedoms that could not be infringed upon by the federal government.
Additionally, the New Jersey Plan's impact on the structure of Congress had indirect effects on the Bill of Rights. By ensuring that smaller states had representation in the Senate, the plan contributed to a more balanced and inclusive legislative process. This, in turn, influenced the drafting and interpretation of the Bill of Rights, as legislators from different states brought their unique perspectives and concerns to the discussion.
Overall, the New Jersey Plan's influence on the Bill of Rights can be seen in its impact on the structure of Congress, the protection of state and individual rights, and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. While the plan itself was not adopted, its proposals and the subsequent debates helped shape the final form of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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The plan's rejection
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, was an alternative to the Virginia Plan, which was authored by James Madison and Edmund Randolph. The Virginia Plan called for a bicameral legislature, with representation in each chamber proportional to the population of the state. This was a cause for concern for less populous states, who believed that their interests would be overshadowed by those of the larger states.
The New Jersey Plan was introduced on June 15, 1787, and called for a unicameral legislature, with each state having equal representation, regardless of population. The plan also expanded the powers of Congress, allowing it to raise funds via tariffs and regulate commerce.
The New Jersey Plan faced heavy criticism from delegates of more populous states, and delegates from less populous states failed to fully defend the proposal during debates. On June 19, the plan was rejected, with three states voting in favour, seven against, and one divided.
Even some of the delegates who helped Paterson author the plan, such as Connecticut's Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, voted against it. This led some scholars to suggest that the proposal was a strategic move by the less populous states to secure a compromise on representation.
Following the rejection of the New Jersey Plan, delegates continued to debate representation and the concerns of the less populous states. This resulted in the Connecticut Compromise, which combined elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. The Compromise created the current structure of Congress, with a Senate providing equal representation for states, and a House of Representatives apportioned based on population.
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Frequently asked questions
The New Jersey Plan was a proposal put forward at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to amend the structure of the government.
The plan called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population size. It also sought to expand the powers of Congress, allowing it to regulate interstate commerce, impose tariffs, and conduct foreign trade.
The New Jersey Plan was proposed as a counter to the Virginia Plan, which smaller states feared would give too much power to larger states. The Virginia Plan advocated for proportional representation, which would have given more weight to larger states with bigger populations.
The New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected, with seven states voting against it, three in favour, and one divided. However, it played a significant role in shaping the final structure of Congress. The Connecticut Compromise combined elements of the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan, resulting in the current structure of Congress with a Senate and a House of Representatives.
