The Plans From the Constitutional Convention
1. Introduction.
In America’s struggle for stability the political leaders determined there was a need to revise the framework of the Articles of Confederation. Based on the need to restructure sovereignty, it was mutually agreed upon that each state would send 73 selected delegates to Philadelphia for the Constitution Convention of 1787. During this process James Madison and Thomas Jefferson looked to completely modify and re-draft the future plans of government for the country which lead to the drafting of the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan and the Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise). The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were the propositions for federal government but each was heavily weighted to the interest of either the large states or the small states but lead to the foundation of the Connecticut Compromise.
2. The Virginia Plan.
The Virginia Plan was a proposal written by James Madison creating a strong central government with power in the government apportioned to the states on the basis of population. Of course, this proposition was supported by the populous states of Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania since it would benefit them the most.
According to this instrument, the legislative branch would consist of two houses or a bicameral legislature. A bicameral legislature divides the legislators into two separate assemblies or often referred to as chambers. According to this plan, each state would be represented in proportion to their “[q]uotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants.” (Roche, John P.)
Additionally, the plan provided for a national government of three branches, the legislative, executive and judicial. Accordingly, the people would elect one of the two legislative members and the members would then elect the second member from the nominations submitted by the state. The legislative branch would choose the executive member. The legislative branch would also be granted the power to invalidate state laws if they were not compatible with the articles of union. However, in order to maintain a checks and balance, a council made up from the executive branch had the authority to veto legislative acts. However, if the majority of the legislative branch felt the veto was not in the best interest of the county, could override the veto with a majority vote.
3. The New Jersey Plan.
The New Jersey Plan in many was contradicted the Virginia Plan. This plan was created by William Paterson and was for the benefit of the smaller states. The plan would focus its power on a central government and importantly each state would be represented equally in a unicameral national legislature. This meant each state would receive an equal vote, one vote per state. The New Jersey Plan was consistent with the Articles of Confederation and supported the belief that each state was independent and because they chose statesmanship they were free to run their state as that state choose. Further, the plan proposed the Articles of Confederation and treaties are the supreme law of the land. The federal executive is authorized to use force to compel non-compliant states to observe the law.
In order for the national government to fund itself the plan would give congress authority to regulate interstate and international commerce. Additionally, congress would have the right to charge tariffs and collect taxes from states based on the number of free inhabitants and three-fifths of slaves in that state. However, this power requires the consent of some proportion of the states.
4. Connecticut/Great Compromise.
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was the agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and written by Roger Sherman. This agreement defined the structure of the legislature and outlined how each state would be represented under the United States Constitution. The compromise retained Virginia’s bicameral legislature, along with proportional representation in the lower house. However, ever state would have two representatives in the upper house to allow each state equality. In essence, the compromise was a blended plan of the New Jersey and Virginia plans. Although the large states and small states had to make concession on some issues, it was argued to create a more stable country which was the object of the Congregational Convention of 1787.
5. Conclusion.
Assembling men of different religious beliefs, economical backgrounds, educational levels to lay the foundation of the United State of America lead to a great many things. The commitment to establish a democracy and a dream of opportunity has been at the footing of this country and our forefather’s vow to this dream is evidenced by the commitment endured during the writing of the Constitution.
Work Cited
Greenberg, Edward S. and Benjamin I. Page.The Struggle for Democracy.
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2014. Print
Ketcham, Ralph L. “The Founding Again: Both Politics and Ideas.” Rev. American History, Volume 25, Number 3, September 1997: pp. 386-389. Print.
Roche, John P. “The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action.”Rev. American Political Science Review. December 1961: 55. Print.
1. Introduction.
In America’s struggle for stability the political leaders determined there was a need to revise the framework of the Articles of Confederation. Based on the need to restructure sovereignty, it was mutually agreed upon that each state would send 73 selected delegates to Philadelphia for the Constitution Convention of 1787. During this process James Madison and Thomas Jefferson looked to completely modify and re-draft the future plans of government for the country which lead to the drafting of the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan and the Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise). The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were the propositions for federal government but each was heavily weighted to the interest of either the large states or the small states but lead to the foundation of the Connecticut Compromise.
2. The Virginia Plan.
The Virginia Plan was a proposal written by James Madison creating a strong central government with power in the government apportioned to the states on the basis of population. Of course, this proposition was supported by the populous states of Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania since it would benefit them the most.
According to this instrument, the legislative branch would consist of two houses or a bicameral legislature. A bicameral legislature divides the legislators into two separate assemblies or often referred to as chambers. According to this plan, each state would be represented in proportion to their “[q]uotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants.” (Roche, John P.)
Additionally, the plan provided for a national government of three branches, the legislative, executive and judicial. Accordingly, the people would elect one of the two legislative members and the members would then elect the second member from the nominations submitted by the state. The legislative branch would choose the executive member. The legislative branch would also be granted the power to invalidate state laws if they were not compatible with the articles of union. However, in order to maintain a checks and balance, a council made up from the executive branch had the authority to veto legislative acts. However, if the majority of the legislative branch felt the veto was not in the best interest of the county, could override the veto with a majority vote.
3. The New Jersey Plan.
The New Jersey Plan in many was contradicted the Virginia Plan. This plan was created by William Paterson and was for the benefit of the smaller states. The plan would focus its power on a central government and importantly each state would be represented equally in a unicameral national legislature. This meant each state would receive an equal vote, one vote per state. The New Jersey Plan was consistent with the Articles of Confederation and supported the belief that each state was independent and because they chose statesmanship they were free to run their state as that state choose. Further, the plan proposed the Articles of Confederation and treaties are the supreme law of the land. The federal executive is authorized to use force to compel non-compliant states to observe the law.
In order for the national government to fund itself the plan would give congress authority to regulate interstate and international commerce. Additionally, congress would have the right to charge tariffs and collect taxes from states based on the number of free inhabitants and three-fifths of slaves in that state. However, this power requires the consent of some proportion of the states.
4. Connecticut/Great Compromise.
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was the agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and written by Roger Sherman. This agreement defined the structure of the legislature and outlined how each state would be represented under the United States Constitution. The compromise retained Virginia’s bicameral legislature, along with proportional representation in the lower house. However, ever state would have two representatives in the upper house to allow each state equality. In essence, the compromise was a blended plan of the New Jersey and Virginia plans. Although the large states and small states had to make concession on some issues, it was argued to create a more stable country which was the object of the Congregational Convention of 1787.
5. Conclusion.
Assembling men of different religious beliefs, economical backgrounds, educational levels to lay the foundation of the United State of America lead to a great many things. The commitment to establish a democracy and a dream of opportunity has been at the footing of this country and our forefather’s vow to this dream is evidenced by the commitment endured during the writing of the Constitution.
Work Cited
Greenberg, Edward S. and Benjamin I. Page.The Struggle for Democracy.
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2014. Print
Ketcham, Ralph L. “The Founding Again: Both Politics and Ideas.” Rev. American History, Volume 25, Number 3, September 1997: pp. 386-389. Print.
Roche, John P. “The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action.”Rev. American Political Science Review. December 1961: 55. Print.
Reflection:
To begin writing this essay, I created an outline. This helped give the essay direction and focus on the topic. Once this was complete, I was able to write my first draft. When I write, it is important for me to write my first draft using only what I remember from the reading. Once I’ve done that I can go back and re-read and re-draft my essay but it gives me an idea of how much I’ve retained the first time around. Based on the syllabus learning outcomes, this assignment helped the student to “demonstrate an ability to analyze the issues, organize ideas and synthesize the critical overall objectives of the assignment.” (Professor Hamman, J.D. Political Science 1 Online Syllabus. Fall 2015.) I felt I demonstrated my organizational skills in writing this essay. If I had to improve one item in writing this essay it would be to expand my vocabulary.
To begin writing this essay, I created an outline. This helped give the essay direction and focus on the topic. Once this was complete, I was able to write my first draft. When I write, it is important for me to write my first draft using only what I remember from the reading. Once I’ve done that I can go back and re-read and re-draft my essay but it gives me an idea of how much I’ve retained the first time around. Based on the syllabus learning outcomes, this assignment helped the student to “demonstrate an ability to analyze the issues, organize ideas and synthesize the critical overall objectives of the assignment.” (Professor Hamman, J.D. Political Science 1 Online Syllabus. Fall 2015.) I felt I demonstrated my organizational skills in writing this essay. If I had to improve one item in writing this essay it would be to expand my vocabulary.