The authors of the Articles of Confederation wanted to provide a way for the
states to work together. But they did not want to form a government to rule
the states as Britain had. As a result, the central government under the
Articles lacked any real power. Many state leaders thought the governmentwas too weak. It could not do its job. They called a convention to revise the
Articles. James Madison wrote the Virginia Plan, which Edmund Randolph
presented. It called for representation in Congress based on population. Not
everyone liked the plan because they thought it gave too much power to
large states. William Paterson proposed a different idea, called the New
Jersey Plan. It provided for equal representation for all states. These two plans
became the center of debate. They led to other debates about issues such
as slavery and taxation.
Use the passage to answer the question.
Which generalization expresses a main point of debate at the Constitution
Convention?
A.) States disagreed on representation in Congress.
B.) States disagreed on why they need to tax citizens.
C.) States disagreed on what body should make laws.
D.) States disagreed on the need to strengthen the Articles.