Instructions In This Assignment You Are To Read And Analyze
Instructions In This Assignment You Are To Read And Analyze the Docu
In this assignment, you are to read and analyze the documents provided in the two links below. Using no more than 12-point font and between 600 and 900 words, in well-written English, provide your analysis by addressing the questions below. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze primary documents; therefore, citations are unnecessary and the use of outside sources (internet, reference, books and articles, etc) is prohibited. Furthermore, using direct quotes from the documents does not indicate any analysis and should be avoided.
Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey plans presented at the Constitutional Convention. Consider the following:
- What are their structural differences? Address the following items for each plan:
- Number of branches of government
- Number of houses in the Congress of each plan
- Congressional members chosen by whom
- Length of terms of service for the legislative branch
- Are there differences in congressional representation? Address the following issues in each plan:
- The basis of determining a state's members
- Votes by states in Congress
- Does congressional power differ? Discuss the following areas:
- Some varying specific powers enumerated in the plans
- Any powers specifically denied
- The relationship between the new federal government and the states
- Does the executive branch differ in the plans? Address the following areas for each plan:
- Composition of the executive branch
- Selection of the executive branch
- Powers provided to the executive
- How is the judicial branch composed? Discuss the following issues:
- The supreme court composed and chosen how
- The design and selection of any additional courts
Paper For Above instruction
The Virginia and New Jersey plans presented during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 marked two distinct visions for structuring the new American government. While both aimed to create a federal system that balanced power between the national government and the states, their approaches differed significantly in structural design, representation, powers, and the organization of the branches of government. Analyzing these plans provides insight into the foundational debates that shaped the U.S. Constitution.
Structural Differences
The Virginia plan, drafted primarily by James Madison, proposed a government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislature was bicameral, consisting of two houses—the House of Representatives and the Senate—where both houses' members would be chosen by the people. The terms of service for legislators were to be annual, emphasizing responsiveness to the electorate. In contrast, the New Jersey plan, offered by William Paterson, called for a unicameral Congress with a single house. Members of Congress under this plan would be chosen by state legislatures rather than directly by the people, and their terms were to be one year long, reflecting a desire for closer control by the states.
Structurally, the Virginia plan favored a system with more centralized power in a bicameral legislature with direct representation based on population, whereas the New Jersey plan maintained a more localized approach with equal representation for each state regardless of size in a unicameral Congress.
Representation and Congressional Power
The Virginia plan's representation was based on a state's population or financial contribution, granting larger states more influence. Each state's votes in the legislature would be proportional to their respective populations. Conversely, the New Jersey plan advocated for equal votes for all states, aligning with the idea that each state, regardless of size, should have equal say in Congress.
Power-wise, the Virginia plan granted Congress extensive authority, including the power to bind the states, veto state laws, and override state objections—indicating a preference for a strong national government. The New Jersey plan limited congressional authority to more specific powers, emphasizing maintaining state sovereignty. Both plans envisioned a relationship where the federal government could influence state actions but differed in the extent of their control.
The Executive Branch
The Virginia plan envisioned a single executive chosen by the legislature, with broader powers to execute laws and veto legislation. Its design aimed at an energetic executive responsible for implementing national policies. The New Jersey plan proposed a plural executive—multiple individuals elected by Congress or the states—intended to prevent tyranny and provide checks within the executive branch. Powers granted to the executive in this plan were more limited, focusing on executing laws with minimal authority to veto or initiate legislation independently.
The Judicial Branch
Both plans included a Supreme Court or national judiciary. The Virginia plan proposed a Supreme Court whose members would be appointed by the legislature, with lifetime tenure to ensure independence. Additional inferior courts were also envisioned to handle the federal judiciary's workload. The New Jersey plan suggested a more limited judiciary, with justices appointed by Congress, emphasizing a less powerful judicial role. The structure of the judiciary reflected the overall vision of both plans—Virginia favoring a strong, independent judiciary, while New Jersey preferred a more restrained judicial authority.
Comparison of Power and Impact
In terms of overall influence on the new government, the Virginia plan clearly proposed a more powerful federal government. Its emphasis on a bicameral legislature with proportional representation, strong congressional powers, a single energetic executive, and an independent judiciary suggested an intention to create a government capable of national cohesion and authority. The New Jersey plan, by maintaining equal state representation and limited powers, aimed to preserve state sovereignty, thus offering a more decentralized federal system.
In conclusion, the Virginia plan's comprehensive approach to structuring a strong central government provided more authority to the federal branch, laying the groundwork for the eventual adoption of the Constitution. Its emphasis on proportional representation and broad congressional powers underscored a desire for a government capable of unifying the diverse states into a cohesive nation.