Explian the difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?

Answer 1

During the Constitutional Congress, there were two opposing ideas of how representation should count in the U.S. Congress.

One plan was favored by large states such as Virginia hence the name Virginia plan,

This gave weight to population because the big states figured they counted more than small states such as Connecticut or New Jersey. Each state would have the number of representatives based on population. The bigger the state the more representatives that state would get in Congress.

The lower house would be elected by the people, and the upper house would be elected by the lower house.

The executive would exist solely to ensure that the will of the legislature was carried out and would therefore be selected by the legislature.

The Virginia Plan also created a judiciary, and gave both the executive and some of the judiciary the power to veto, subject to override.

This was favored by large states but opposed by small states as you can imagine because they would get less representation and they felt that every state should have equal weight. This plan was called the New Jersey Plan because it was favored by small states like New Jersey. They proposed every state have 1 representatives no matter population.

Under the New Jersey Plan, the then current Congress would remain, but it would be granted new powers, such as the power to levy taxes and force their collection. An executive branch was created, to be elected by Congress (the plan allowed for a multi-person executive. The executives would serve a single term and were subject to recall on the request of state governors. The plan also created a judiciary that would serve for life, to be appointed by the executives. Lastly, any laws set by Congress would take precedence over state laws.

These were the two plans proposed during the Constitutional Congress.

The Delegates found a compromise, in one body, the Senate, every state would have 2 Senators.

In the House of Representatives, each state would have their number of representatives determined by population, more Representatives for large states, less Representatives for the small states. They devised a formula, 1 representative per 1,000 persons.