What was the plan favored by smaller states?
The New Jersey Plan was a proposal presented at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, where delegates gathered to draft a new constitution for the United States. It was primarily supported by delegates from smaller states who feared that the larger states would dominate the new government. The plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states by advocating for equal representation in the legislature, regardless of population size. It proposed a unicameral legislature, where each state would have an equal vote and greater state autonomy. Although the New Jersey Plan was ultimately not adopted, it played a significant role in shaping the debate and led to the creation of the Connecticut Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with both equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
The New Jersey Plan at the Philadelphia Convention
The New Jersey Plan was one of the key proposals put forth during the Philadelphia Convention, an event where delegates from the thirteen original states gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation. The plan was supported by smaller states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut, who were concerned about the potential power imbalance in the new government.
Equal Representation: One of the main features of the New Jersey Plan was its emphasis on equal representation in the legislative branch. Under this proposal, each state would have an equal vote in a unicameral legislature, regardless of its population size. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which favored proportional representation based on population.
State Autonomy: The New Jersey Plan sought to maintain greater autonomy for individual states within the federal system. By giving each state an equal vote in the legislature, the plan aimed to prevent larger states from dominating the decision-making process and infringing on the rights of smaller states.
Impact and Legacy: Although the New Jersey Plan was ultimately not adopted in its original form, it had a lasting impact on the Constitutional Convention. The debate over representation led to the creation of the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
In conclusion, the New Jersey Plan was a significant proposal that reflected the concerns of smaller states during the Philadelphia Convention. While it was not fully implemented, its principles of equal representation and state autonomy influenced the final structure of the United States Constitution.