What were some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Virginia plan?

Answer 1

The Virginia Plan was more of a "large states plan." the key issue was Resolve two, which states that Legislature should have two branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate, both of which take votes on issues by proportional representation. "Resolved therefore that the rights of suffrage in the National Legislature ought to be proportioned to the Quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants, as the one or the other rule may seem best in different cases." Meaning that sinch Virginia has a larger population than New Jersey, Virginia gets more votes than New Jersey. The small states were extremely opposed to allowing this to happen, since the large states would swallow the small ones with their votes, making it near impossible for the votes of the small states to have any effect in the decisions of the country. The New Jersey plan was directed more to the advantage of the small states, with only ONE branch in legislature which allows only one vote per state. That would put every state on an equal level, but on the downside, sometimes the majority of the population would not get their wish.

Answer 2

The Virginia Plan was James Madison's solution towards proportional representation, which was a strong national government. The benefits of this plan were that a stronger central government would create a greater bond between the states so that if state governments gain too much power, it would weaken our nation altogether, and having two legislatures, which is known as a bicameral legislature, would be able to level itself. In favor for the Virginia Plan, the stronger national government would help stabilize the economy by better organizing trade between states and the entire country. The powerful executive branch would be able to stay away from disorganization by keeping order and the holding the ability of commanding the armed forces. The number of representatives would be proportional to the populations of each state. So representation is fair by having smaller states summarize their opinions of few citizens, likely voicing all of the people, considering that states with larger populations would be able to deliver the views of the whole society with more representatives.

Disadvantages, I believe, but am not sure are factual, were with a strong executive branch, the people feared that the president would manipulate his powers, just like the king of England had done so with the colonies and those who disagreed with it thought that the smaller sates wouldn't be voiced.

Answer 3

The Virginia plan called for a bi camaral legislature and split the Federal Governmentinto three branches.

Larger states wanted Congress to be represented by population. Smaller states wanted each state to have only one vote. As a compromise Congress was divided up by the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate ( based on equal representation with two senators from every state).

The government was divided up into the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

All of this compromise led to checks and balances within the government. The advantages were someone else's disadvantages.

Answer 4

This doesn't help at all btw

Answer 5

Birds