What Did the Virginia Plan Propose?

The Virginia Plan was put forward during the Constitutional Convention in May 1787 by James Madison. It called for a bicameral legislature, with representation in both houses based on population. This meant that states with larger populations would have more representatives in Congress.

Components of the Virginia Plan:

1. Bicameral Legislature: The plan called for a two-house legislature, with representation in both houses based on the population of each state. This was in contrast to the existing Articles of Confederation, which had a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

2. Executive Branch: The plan proposed a strong executive branch to enforce the laws passed by the legislature. The executive would be chosen by Congress and serve a single term.

3. Judicial Branch: The plan also called for a national judiciary that would interpret and enforce federal laws. The judges would be appointed by the executive branch.

4. Central Government Powers: The Virginia Plan aimed to give more power to the central government, including the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and make laws that were binding on the states.

The Virginia Plan was a key document in shaping the structure of the United States government, as many of its ideas were incorporated into the final Constitution that was ratified in 1788. The plan's emphasis on a strong central government and the separation of powers among the three branches laid the foundation for the system of government that we have today.