The New Jersey Plan: Equal Representation for Smaller States
The New Jersey Plan
Support for Equal Representation
The New Jersey Plan supported the concept of equal representation for each state, irrespective of its size or populace, in a unicameral national legislature. It was proposed to protect the interests of smaller states.About the Plan
The New Jersey Plan proposed during the Constitutional Convention supported the idea of equal representation for states regardless of their size or population in the national legislature. That is, this plan advocated for a unicameral national legislature where each state would have one vote, thereby giving equal power to every state. This was contrary to the Virginia Plan which called for a bicameral legislature in which representation would be based on a state's population. William Paterson introduced the New Jersey Plan, specifically for safeguarding the interests of smaller states who were alarmed at the proposition of proportional representation advocated by the larger states through the Virginia Plan. The New Jersey Plan also called for the Congress to have the power to control commerce, raise revenue through taxes, and enforce requisitions from the states, addressing the economic issues of that time.What was the main idea behind the New Jersey Plan?
The main idea behind the New Jersey Plan was to advocate for equal representation for each state in the national legislature, irrespective of their size or population.