Simone Lawson
The New Jersey Plan was one of two competing proposals for the structure and functioning of the US government, introduced at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Proposed by William Paterson, the plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, by ensuring equal representation in Congress. The plan sought to amend the Articles of Confederation, expanding Congressional powers to raise revenue and regulate commerce, while maintaining a unicameral legislature. Despite being rejected, elements of the New Jersey Plan were incorporated into the final Constitution, including equal representation for states in the Senate, demonstrating its influence on the foundational document of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of proposals | Two |
| Structure | Unicameral legislature |
| Functioning | Equal representation for states |
| Purpose | Benefit small states |
| Proposer | William Paterson |
| Date | June 1787 |
| Place | Philadelphia |
| Alternative plan | Virginia Plan |
| Virginia Plan proposer | Edmund Randolph |
| Virginia Plan writer | James Madison |
| Number of resolutions | Nine |
| First resolution | Continuation of unicameral system |
| Second resolution | Expansion of Congress's powers |
| Third resolution | Three-fifths rule |
| Compromise | Combination of Paterson's and Madison's proposals |
| Constitution | Federal republic with a strong central government |
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What You'll Learn
The New Jersey Plan's unicameral legislature
The New Jersey Plan was one of two competing proposals for the structure and functioning of the United States government, introduced at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia. It was put forth in June by William Paterson, the head of the New Jersey delegation, and was intended to benefit small states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. The plan consisted of nine resolutions.
The first resolution of the New Jersey Plan advocated for a unicameral legislature, with each state having equal representation, regardless of its population. This was a significant proposal as it aimed to prevent larger states, such as New York and Virginia, from having a greater number of representatives and, consequently, more power in the legislature. This unicameral system was a continuation of the legislature outlined in the Articles of Confederation, with revisions to expand the powers of Congress.
The expanded powers granted to Congress under the New Jersey Plan included the authority to collect import duties and raise taxes through various means, including stamp taxes and postage. Additionally, the plan established the three-fifths rule, which counted three-fifths of a state's enslaved population when determining its total population for taxation and representation purposes. This rule also applied to requests for funding from Congress.
Following the rejection of the New Jersey Plan, elements of both the New Jersey Plan and the competing Virginia Plan were combined in what became known as the Connecticut Compromise. This 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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The Virginia Plan vs. the New Jersey Plan
The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were two competing proposals for the structure and functioning of the United States government, introduced at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia. The Virginia Plan, proposed by Virginian James Madison and presented by delegates from Virginia, notably Edmund Randolph, called for a stronger national government with a bicameral legislature based on population. This meant that each state's representation in the two chambers would be determined by its population.
The New Jersey Plan, on the other hand, was proposed by William Paterson, the head of the New Jersey delegation, and was intended to benefit small states. It advocated for equal state representation in a unicameral legislature, regardless of population. This plan also expanded the powers of Congress, allowing it to collect import duties, regulate interstate commerce, and raise taxes through various means.
The debate between these two plans centred around large- and small-state issues, such as representation in Congress. The Virginia Plan threatened the power of smaller states, while the New Jersey Plan was criticised by delegates from more populous states. The New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected, with delegates opting for the Virginia Plan, which became a crucial component of the United States Constitution.
However, the final structure of Congress was a compromise that incorporated elements of both plans. Known as the Connecticut Compromise, it featured a bicameral legislature with a lower house based on population and an upper house with equal state representation. This compromise addressed the concerns of both large and small states, creating a balanced solution that formed the foundation of the United States government.
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The New Jersey Plan's impact on Congress
The New Jersey Plan was one of two competing proposals for the structure and functioning of the US government, introduced at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Proposed by William Paterson, the head of the New Jersey delegation, the plan was intended to benefit smaller states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
The plan's most significant proposal was for equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature, thus preventing states with larger populations, such as New York and Virginia, from having a greater share of power. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which was eventually chosen over the New Jersey Plan.
While the New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected, it did have some influence on the final structure of Congress. Through what became known as the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise, the idea of equal representation for states in the Senate was adopted. This compromise combined elements of both the New Jersey and Virginia Plans, creating the current structure of Congress, with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
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The New Jersey Plan's expansion of Congress's powers
The New Jersey Plan was a proposal for the structure of the United States government, presented during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It was principally authored by William Paterson of New Jersey, and intended to benefit small states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. The plan was one of two major competing proposals, the other being the Virginia Plan, which was eventually chosen.
The New Jersey Plan consisted of nine resolutions. The first resolution advocated for a unicameral system of legislature, with each state having equal representation, regardless of population size. This reflected the belief that the states were independent entities. The second resolution expanded the powers of Congress, granting it the authority to collect import duties and raise taxes, including via a stamp tax and postage. The third resolution established the three-fifths rule, whereby the number of enslaved people in a state would be considered when determining its population for funding requests. The fourth resolution added an executive branch, while the fifth provided for a federal judiciary appointed by the executive branch.
- Collect import duties on goods
- Raise taxes, including through a stamp tax and postage
- Regulate interstate commerce and commerce with other nations
- Collect taxes from states based on the number of free inhabitants and three-fifths of slaves in a state (with the consent of a proportion of the states)
- Elect a federal executive, consisting of multiple people who cannot be re-elected but can be recalled by Congress
The expansion of Congress's powers under the New Jersey Plan aimed to address the drawbacks of the Articles of Confederation, which resulted in a weak central government. However, despite these expanded powers, the plan was criticised by delegates from more populous states and ultimately rejected, with only three states voting in favour.
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The New Jersey Plan's amendments to the Articles of Confederation
The New Jersey Plan, also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan, was a proposal for the structure of the United States government presented during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It was designed to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had created a weak central government and failed to provide for an executive branch or grant Congress the authority to raise taxes.
The New Jersey Plan consisted of nine resolutions:
- The Articles of Confederation should be revised to make them "adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union."
- The Confederation Congress should be authorized to raise money by taxing imports, imposing a stamp tax, and charging postage, with tax evaders tried in state courts with an appeal to a Federal judiciary.
- Requests by Congress to the States for money above that raised by Federal taxes should be apportioned among the states based on the free population.
- The Congress should be authorized to elect an executive, appoint all officers not otherwise provided for, and direct all military operations. The executive could be removed at the request of a majority of the state executives.
- There should be a Federal judiciary, appointed by the Executive to hear and determine impeachments of Federal officers and appeals in other cases.
- All Acts of Congress made pursuant to the Articles of Confederation should be the supreme law of the land, with state judges bound to uphold them.
- Provision should be made for the admission of new States into the Union.
- There should be a uniform rule of naturalization.
- Citizens of each state should be treated equally in state criminal courts.
The plan's most significant proposal was for equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature, regardless of population. This reflected the belief of the less populous states that the states were independent entities and that their interests would be overshadowed by those of the larger states under the Virginia Plan's proposed bicameral legislature with proportional representation.
The New Jersey Plan was rejected in favour of the Virginia Plan, with only three states voting in favour, seven against, and one divided. However, elements of both plans were combined in the Connecticut Compromise, which forms the basis of the current structure of Congress.
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Frequently asked questions
The New Jersey Plan was a proposal for the structure and functioning of the United States government, introduced at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It was designed to protect the interests of smaller states and proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.
The New Jersey Plan was proposed by William Paterson, the head of the New Jersey delegation at the Constitutional Convention. He was assisted by delegates from Connecticut, Maryland, and New York, including Roger Sherman, David Brearley, and Luther Martin.
The New Jersey Plan consisted of nine resolutions. The key features included maintaining a unicameral legislature, expanding the powers of Congress to include taxation and regulation of commerce, and establishing equal representation for each state in Congress.
The New Jersey Plan was rejected by the delegates at the Constitutional Convention because it was seen as a threat to the power of larger states. The plan's proponents failed to defend it strongly during the debates, and it was ultimately voted down, with seven states against, three in favour, and one divided.
