Question

When the 13 states gathered at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, the Virginians were the first to propose a plan for a new government. The Virginia Plan suggested many changes that made it to the U.S. Constitution, including three branches of government and a bicameral (two-chambered) Congress. The plan also called for a system of congressional representation that was based on states' populations, with larger states holding more power than smaller states. Naturally, smaller states were opposed to this part of the Virginia Plan. They responded with the New Jersey Plan, which called for a unicameral Congress in which states were represented equally. Under this plan, each state would have one delegate and one vote, regardless of that state's size. The argument was resolved with the Great Compromise. Under the compromise, there would be a bicameral Congress. In one chamber—the House of Representatives—states would be represented according to their populations. In the other chamber—the Senate—each state would be represented equally, with two representatives each. Neither side was entirely satisfied, but the plan did offer a balance between large and small states. The compromise was accepted. 5 According to this reading passage, what was the issue that caused disagreement between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan? A. Eastern states and Western states disagreed on whether Congress should be unicameral or bicameral. B. Larger states and smaller states disagreed on how they should be represented in Congress. C. Older states and younger states disagreed on how to admit new states into the Union. D. Northern states and Southern states disagreed on whether slaves should be counted as citizens.

Answer 1

Answer:

Several plans were introduced at the Constitutional Convention. The Virginia Plan, inspired by James Madison, proposed that both houses of the legislature would be determined proportionately. ... In contrast to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with one vote per state.

Explanation:

Three Plans on Representation Presented at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 provides background information to students on the three plans of representation presented by Randolph (Virginia Plan), Paterson (New Jersey Plan) and Hamilton (Hamilton Plan).