IndexMain Features of the Virginia and New Jersey PlansSimilarities between the Virginia and New Jersey PlansConclusionThe Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan were two significant proposals put forward during the Constitution Convention of 1787, which aimed to establish a framework for the government of the United States. These plans differed in their approach to representation and the structure of the legislature, highlighting the competing interests and concerns of the states. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Key Features of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans The Virginia Plan, also known as the Great State Plan, was drafted by James Madison and presented by Edmund Randolph. He supported a bicameral legislature with representation based on population. The Virginia Plan was based on a national and state system of government with a separation of powers consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches. A bicameral (two chambers) legislature composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate would feature proportional representation. The Virginia Plan was presented in the form of fifteen resolutions that detailed the reasons why the Articles of Confederation should be radically changed and planned the formation of a strong national government capable of collecting taxes and making and enforcing laws. The Virginia Plan also consisted of having a very powerful congress created by two legislatures based on population proportion, the power of Congress to veto any law, and an executive chosen by congress. The executive would have the power to implement national laws and reject any piece of legislation that cannot be passed unless two-thirds of parliament votes for it. The key features of the Virginia Plan were as follows: Strong National Government: The plan proposed a powerful central government with extensive legislative, executive, and judicial branches, granting greater authority to the national government than the existing Articles of Confederation. Proportional Representation: Representation in the legislature would be based on each state's population or wealth, favoring larger states. This approach aimed to ensure that states with higher populations had a greater say in the legislative process. Separation of Powers: The Virginia Plan emphasized a clear separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of authority. James Madison was the creator of the Virginia Plan which sparked the idea of ​​a national republic, but eventually William Paterson created the New Jersey Plan to try to move away from a radical plan. This was unsuccessful and caused divisions among the delegates. In the Virginia Plan there would be a bicameral legislature because it would support proportional representation. There was a balance of power because congress had the right to veto laws made by legislators. The New Jersey plan was different because it consisted of unicameral national legislation and there would be an equal number of representatives. It was Congress' job to tax citizens and regulate commerce. The main features of the New Jersey Plan were as follows: Unicameral Legislature: Unlike the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan advocated a unicameral legislature, in which each state would have an equal vote regardless of the size of its population. This approach aimed to protect the interests of smaller states and prevent domination by larger states. Maintenance.