Question

James Madison, a delegate from Virginia at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, recognized that one of the greatest flaws in the Articles of Confederation was its lack of a strong centralized government. In response to this flaw, Madison developed the “Virginia Plan” which was countered by the New Jersey delegation with the aptly named “New Jersey Plan.” Were either of these plans chosen by the delegation or was there a compromise to appease both sides?

Answer 1

Neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan was fully adopted; instead, the Constitutional Convention reached the Connecticut Compromise, combining elements of both plans to create a bicameral Congress with a balance of proportional and equal representation.

Step-by-step explanation:

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates recognized that the Articles of Confederation lacked a strong centralized government. James Madison of Virginia proposed the Virginia Plan, advocating for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on state population, which favored larger states. In response, William Paterson presented the New Jersey Plan, supporting a unicameral legislature where all states had equal representation, more suitable for smaller states. Neither plan was fully adopted; instead, a compromise known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Great Compromise was reached. This blended the Virginia Plan's proposal for proportional representation in the lower house with the New Jersey Plan's equal representation in the upper house, resulting in our current Congress structure with a House of Representatives and a Senate.

Answer 2

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

Were either of these plans chosen by the delegation or was there a compromise to appease both sides?

No, these plans were not chosen at the Constitutional Convention of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. James Madison, a delegate from Virginia at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, recognized that one of the greatest flaws in the Articles of Confederation was its lack of a strong centralized government. In response to this flaw, Madison developed the “Virginia Plan.” However, no all the delegates agreed. That is when the Virginia Plan was countered by the New Jersey delegation, proposing the “New Jersey Plan.” The delegates had many discussions and debates to agree on the new form of government for the United States. Federalists supported a strong central government. Antifederalists supported a simpler government that promoted civil rights and liberties. That is when James Madison drafted the Bill of Rights, which is the first ten amendments to the US Constitution.