Final answer:
The "Small States Plan" referred to the New Jersey Plan, which proposed equal representation for all states in a unicameral legislature, contrasting the Virginia Plan's bicameral legislature based on population.Option A is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state plan that was called the "Small States Plan" was the New Jersey Plan. This plan called for a unicameral legislature in which each state, regardless of its size or population, would have equal representation. The New Jersey Plan was a counter proposal to the Virginia Plan, which suggested a bicameral legislature with representation in both houses based on state population, favoring larger states. Delegates from smaller states advocated for the New Jersey Plan as it aimed to preserve the equal representation of states, similar to that under the Articles of Confederation. The debate between the two plans eventually led to the Great Compromise, which incorporated elements of both, resulting in a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation in the upper house.
The "Small States Plan," formally known as the New Jersey Plan, proposed a unicameral legislature where each state held equal representation, regardless of size or population. It countered the Virginia Plan, advocating a bicameral system favoring larger states. Small-state delegates supported the New Jersey Plan to maintain the equitable representation seen under the Articles of Confederation. The debate prompted the Great Compromise, combining features of both plans. This compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature, with the lower house featuring proportional representation based on population and the upper house ensuring equal representation for all states. The resolution addressed concerns of both small and large states, fostering unity during the Constitutional Convention.