Virginia Plan: Advocating for a Strong National Government

What was the Virginia Plan and what were the key features advocated in the formation of the United States Constitution?

What motivated those who introduced and promoted the Virginia Plan during the Constitutional Convention?

Answer:

The Virginia Plan, proposed by Edmund Randolph, advocated for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population or financial contributions, as well as a national executive and judiciary chosen by the legislature.

The Virginia Plan, introduced during the Constitutional Convention by Edmund Randolph, aimed at addressing the limitations of the Articles of Confederation by establishing a stronger national government. This plan was primarily motivated by the desire to create a system that could effectively govern the newly formed United States.

One of the key features advocated in the Virginia Plan was the formation of a bicameral legislature. This legislature would consist of two chambers, with representation based on either the population size or financial contributions of each state. This ensured that larger states had more representation, a concept that was favored by those endorsing the plan.

In addition to the bicameral legislature, the Virginia Plan also proposed the creation of a national executive and judiciary branches. These branches would be chosen by the legislature, providing a system of checks and balances within the government.

Overall, the Virginia Plan played a significant role in shaping the United States Constitution by advocating for a strong national government and a fair representation system in the legislative branch.