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The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan, was a proposed plan for the US government, drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph and presented by the latter at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on May 29, 1787. The plan called for a strong central government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—and a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation. It was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation, which it sought to correct and enlarge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Plan | Virginia Plan (also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan) |
| Year | 1787 |
| Presented by | Edmund Randolph |
| Author | James Madison |
| Type of Legislature | Bicameral (two-branch) |
| Number of Branches | Three |
| Type of Representation | Proportional |
| Number of Legislative Branches | Two |
| Basis of Representation | Population |
| Type of Government | Supreme national government |
| Basis of Taxation | "Quotas of contribution" or "number of free inhabitants" |
| Amendments | Provision for amendments to be made when necessary |
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What You'll Learn
James Madison drafted the Virginia Plan
James Madison, a delegate from Virginia, drafted the Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan. The plan was presented by Edmund Randolph, the head of the Virginian delegation, to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on May 29, 1787.
The Virginia Plan was a proposal for a supreme national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. It also called for a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation in both houses. This meant that each state's representation in Congress would be based on its population, with the number of representatives per state determined by population size. This was in contrast to the New Jersey Plan, which proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.
The Virginia Plan was notable for its role in setting the agenda for debate at the Constitutional Convention. It was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation, which had established the United States as a confederation of sovereign states. The plan outlined a strong central government, with the power to appoint both the executive and judicial branches. However, it lacked a system of checks and balances that became central to the US Constitution.
The Virginia Plan was not without its critics, particularly from delegates of less populous states, who felt that their interests were not being represented. This led to the proposal of the New Jersey Plan, which aimed to protect the interests of smaller states. Ultimately, neither plan was adopted in full, and a compromise was reached, known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Great Compromise. This compromise incorporated elements of both plans, including the three-fifths rule and equal representation in the upper house of the legislature, while also providing for proportional representation in the lower house, as originally proposed in the Virginia Plan.
The Virginia Plan played a significant role in shaping the foundation of the US Constitution, influencing the overall structure and principles of the government. While it underwent revisions and compromises, it set the direction for the creation of a strong national government with a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
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Edmund Randolph presented the plan to the Constitutional Convention
Edmund Randolph, a Founding Father of the United States, attorney, and the seventh Governor of Virginia, presented the Virginia Plan to the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787. The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan, was drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph. It was a proposed plan for the government of the United States, calling for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative branch was to consist of two chambers, with each state represented in proportion to their "Quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants". This plan was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation, which needed to be "corrected and enlarged" to achieve their original purpose of providing for the "common defence, security of liberty, and general welfare".
The Virginia Plan was presented as fifteen draft resolutions outlining basic principles of government. It was notable for setting the agenda for debate at the Convention, particularly regarding the idea of population-weighted representation in the proposed national legislature. The plan favoured the interests of states with large populations, and as such, it was supported by large states and generally opposed by smaller states. The smaller states preferred alternatives that guaranteed each state equal representation, regardless of population. This led to the proposal of the New Jersey Plan, which aimed to protect the interests of smaller states.
The Virginia Plan went through several revisions before it was finalized, and no copies of the original manuscript survive. The document from June 13, 1787, is an amended version that reflects the incorporation of debates and agreements between the delegates. The final document incorporated elements of the New Jersey Plan, including the three-fifths rule and equal apportionment of representatives for the upper house of the legislature.
Randolph did not sign the final draft of the Constitution because he wanted increased protections for individuals and disagreed with some revisions made to the original Virginia Plan. However, he later reversed his position at the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, as he did not want Virginia to be left out of the new national government.
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The plan called for a strong central government
The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph, was a proposed plan of government for the United States. It was presented at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17. The plan called for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This was a significant departure from the Articles of Confederation, which had created a weak central government.
The Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. Under the Articles, the central government lacked the authority to raise taxes, regulate commerce, enforce laws and treaties, and address foreign debts. The Virginia Plan aimed to establish a more powerful and effective national government by creating three distinct branches.
The first branch, or the national Legislature, was to be elected by the people of the several states for a term of three years. They would receive fixed stipends, be ineligible for certain offices during their term and for one year after, and be compensated from the National Treasury. The second branch was to be chosen by the individual Legislatures, with members being at least thirty years old and serving for a term of seven years to ensure their independence.
The Virginia Plan also introduced the idea of population-weighted representation, where the number of representatives per state in the legislature would be based on the state's population. This was a controversial aspect as it gave greater power to larger states. To address this concern, the New Jersey Plan was proposed, suggesting a single legislative body with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.
The Virginia Plan played a crucial role in shaping the agenda for debate at the Constitutional Convention. While it underwent several revisions, it ultimately laid the foundation for the Constitution of the United States, becoming a key step towards a strong central government.
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It proposed a national government consisting of three branches
The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph, was a proposed plan for the United States government. It was presented at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and called for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
The Virginia Plan was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation, which it sought to correct and enlarge to achieve their original purpose of providing for the common defence, security of liberty, and general welfare. The plan outlined a strong central government with a national judiciary, including a supreme tribunal and inferior tribunals chosen by the national legislature. It proposed a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
The first branch of the national legislature, or the House of Representatives, would be elected by the people of the several states for a term of three years. The members would be subject to rotation in office and recall elections and would receive liberal stipends as compensation for their devotion to public service. The second branch, or the Senate, would be chosen by the members of the first branch out of a pool of candidates nominated by the individual state legislatures. They would also serve for three years and receive fixed stipends.
The Virginia Plan also outlined the powers of the national legislature, including the right of each branch to originate acts. The legislature would be empowered to enjoy the legislative rights vested in Congress by the confederation and to legislate in all cases where individual states were incompetent or where the harmony of the United States may be interrupted. Additionally, the legislature would have the power to negative all laws passed by the several states that contravened the articles of the Union.
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The Virginia Plan was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation
The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph, was a proposed plan of government for the United States. It was presented at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The plan called for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, and a bicameral legislature.
The Articles of Confederation had no provision for executive and judicial branches, which meant the central government lacked the means to enforce its authority. The Virginia Plan addressed this issue by proposing the creation of these branches, with the legislature appointing the executive and judicial branches. However, this also meant that the Virginia Plan lacked a true system of checks and balances.
The Virginia Plan was also a departure from the Articles of Confederation in terms of representation in the national legislature. The Articles gave each state equal representation, regardless of population. The Virginia Plan, however, called for representation to be weighted according to a state's wealth or population, favouring the interests of larger states. This was a significant point of contention, with smaller states generally opposing the Virginia Plan and presenting the New Jersey Plan as an alternative that guaranteed equal representation for all states.
The Virginia Plan, therefore, represented a significant shift in thinking about the structure and powers of the central government, and it set the agenda for debate at the Constitutional Convention. While it underwent revisions and compromises, it ultimately became the foundation of the Constitution of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison drafted the Virginia Plan, and it was presented by Edmund Randolph to the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787.
The Virginia Plan was a proposal for a supreme national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. It was a plan of government for the United States.
The Virginia Plan was significant as it set the agenda for debate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It also introduced the idea of population-weighted representation in the proposed national legislature.
The Virginia Plan was not adopted in its entirety. However, parts of it were incorporated into the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, which laid the foundation for the US Constitution. The Connecticut Compromise provided for equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
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