Two Plans, One Constitution: The Great Compromise

The two proposed plans for the US Constitution were the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Both plans agreed on a fundamental framework that included several key elements of government structure. They proposed three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial – to allow for a system of checks and balances. Each plan included the idea of a single executive leader, the President, who would be responsible for enforcing laws and overseeing the functioning of the federal government. However, they differed significantly in the structure of the legislative branch.

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Separation of powers into three branches

The two proposed plans for the US Constitution, the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, agreed on a fundamental framework that included several key elements of government structure. One of these elements was the separation of powers into three distinct branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial.

The separation of powers was designed to prevent any one branch from having too much power and to ensure that power was distributed among the three branches. This system of checks and balances is a cornerstone of the US Constitution.

The Virginia Plan, introduced by James Madison, outlined a strong national government with three branches. It called for a bicameral legislature based on population, with the legislature divided into two bodies: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This plan reflected Madison's views as a strong nationalist and was modelled on state governments.

The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, was designed to protect the security and power of small states. It suggested a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population size. This plan intended to give states equal representation in a one-bodied legislature, which would have limited each state to one vote in Congress.

The Virginia Plan lacked a system of checks and balances, which would become central to the US Constitution. On the other hand, the New Jersey Plan more closely resembled the existing Articles of Confederation, with amendments that strengthened the powers of Congress.

Ultimately, a compromise was reached, resulting in a bicameral Congress with the Senate and the House of Representatives, reflecting elements of both plans.

One president

The two proposed plans for the US Constitution, the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, agreed on the idea of having one president. Each plan included the idea of establishing a single executive leader, the President, who would be responsible for enforcing laws and overseeing the functioning of the federal government.

The Virginia Plan was drafted by the Virginia delegates, who arrived in Philadelphia before the other delegates and met regularly to draft resolutions on the broad principles on which a new constitution should be based. These resolutions were presented to the convention on 29 May by Virginia Governor Edmund Randolph. The plan proposed a drastic alteration of the form of government and was debated for two weeks. It suggested a bicameral legislature based on population.

The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey on 15 June 1787, was designed to protect the security and power of the small states by limiting each state to one vote in Congress. This plan suggested a unicameral legislature with equal representation.

Both plans agreed on a fundamental framework that included several key elements of government structure. They proposed three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial, with a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from having too much power.

The debates during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 were well-documented in records from that time, including the notes taken by James Madison. The convention ultimately debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States, making it one of the most significant events in American history.

Bicameral legislature

The two proposed plans for the US Constitution, the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, shared a fundamental framework that included several key elements of government structure. Both plans proposed a separation of powers into three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This was intended to prevent any single entity from gaining too much domination in government, allowing for a system of checks and balances.

The Virginia Plan, introduced by James Madison, outlined a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population. This legislature would be divided into two bodies: the Senate and the House of Representatives, with each state's representation in Congress based on its population. Madison's plan lacked a system of checks and balances and called for a supreme national government, marking a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation.

The Virginia delegates, including Madison and Randolph, arrived in Philadelphia early and drafted resolutions outlining broad principles for a new constitution. These resolutions, presented by Governor Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787, served as a blueprint for the four months of debate that followed. The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature, suggesting a powerful national government with a strong executive branch.

The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson on June 15, 1787, offered an alternative vision. It intended to give states equal representation in a unicameral legislature, with each state limited to one vote in Congress as under the Articles of Confederation. This plan aimed to protect the interests of small states and maintain the federal structure of the Articles.

The debate between these two plans resulted in the "Great Compromise" or "Connecticut Compromise," which led to the creation of a bicameral Congress. The compromise utilized both forms of representation, providing proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

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Amendments to Articles of Confederation

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, was initially intended to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, delegates soon decided to work outside the existing framework and create a new system of government. Two primary plans were proposed during the Convention: the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.

The Virginia Plan, introduced by Governor Edmund Randolph, outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It called for a bicameral legislature (the Senate and the House of Representatives) with proportional representation, meaning each state's representation in Congress would be based on its population. The Virginia delegation arrived early and used this time to build a coalition in support of their plan.

The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, was an alternative to the Virginia Plan. It aimed to protect the interests of small states and retain federal features of the Articles of Confederation. The New Jersey Plan suggested a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, ensuring that no state would be dominated by another in Congress.

Both plans agreed on a fundamental framework that included key elements of government structure. They proposed a separation of powers into three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any single branch from gaining too much power. Additionally, both plans included the idea of having a single executive leader, the President, responsible for enforcing laws and overseeing the federal government.

The debates and proposals during the Constitutional Convention resulted in a compromise that led to a bicameral Congress with the Senate and the House of Representatives. This compromise, known as the "Connecticut Compromise", utilised both forms of representation by providing proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Draft of a federal government

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia from May to September 1787, debated and ratified the United States Constitution. The convention was initially intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, but leading proponents, including James Madison of Virginia, sought to create a new framework of government. Madison's proposal, known as the Virginia Plan, reflected his views as a strong nationalist and outlined a powerful national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch would be divided into two bodies (the Senate and the House of Representatives) with proportional representation, meaning each state's representation in Congress would be based on its population.

On 29 May, the Journals of the Convention record that Charles Pinckney "laid before the House... the draft of a federal government to be agreed upon between the free and independent states of America." This plan was not discussed by the Convention but was passed to the Committee of Detail on 24 July. Pinckney's document has never been found, but a summary in James Wilson's handwriting is believed to be a synopsis of Pinckney's plan. After the Convention, Pinckney printed his plan as a pamphlet, claiming that the Constitution reflected his suggestions.

The Virginia delegates arrived in Philadelphia before the other delegates and regularly met to draft resolutions outlining the principles of a new constitution. These fifteen resolutions, presented to the Convention on 29 May by Virginia Governor Edmund Randolph, served as a blueprint for the four months of debate that followed. The Virginia Plan proposed a drastic alteration of government, and the Convention ultimately adopted a resolution to abandon the existing federal government and establish a national government.

The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson on 15 June 1787, served as an alternative to the Virginia Plan. It intended to give states equal representation in a unicameral legislature, protecting the interests of small states. The Connecticut Compromise, adopted on 16 July 1787, utilized both forms of representation, providing proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

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