What plan did smaller states eagerly support at the Constitutional Convention?
The smaller states eagerly supported the New Jersey Plan at the Constitutional Convention.
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan was introduced by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have an equal vote, regardless of size or population. This plan was in contrast to the Virginia Plan put forward by James Madison, which called for representation based on population.
The smaller states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut, supported the New Jersey Plan because it protected their interests and ensured that they would have an equal voice in the legislative process. They were concerned that the larger states would dominate the government if representation was based solely on population.
The New Jersey Plan also included provisions for a more powerful federal government, with the ability to tax and regulate trade. It aimed to strengthen the Articles of Confederation, which had proven to be weak and ineffective in governing the young nation.
In the end, the compromise known as the Great Compromise was reached, combining elements of both the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. This resulted in a bicameral legislature, with representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
The support for the New Jersey Plan by the smaller states played a significant role in shaping the structure of the United States government as we know it today.