Madison at the Constitutional Convention: The Virginia Plan — Reading Comprehension

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a turning point in American history. Delegates met in Philadelphia to fix the problems of the Articles of Confederation, which had created a weak central government. James Madison, a delegate from Virginia, believed a stronger national government was necessary to unite the states and solve issues like trade and defense. He arrived with a bold proposal that would later be called the Virginia Plan.

The Virginia Plan suggested that the new government should have three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Most importantly, it proposed a two-house legislature where representation would be based on each state's population. This meant that large states like Virginia would have more power than small states. Madison argued that this system was fair because it matched government influence to the number of people a state had. As he explained in a letter, "No government... can be just unless it is founded on the consent of the governed." This quote showed his belief in a government that represented its people.

However, not all delegates agreed. Small states such as New Jersey and Delaware feared that they would lose influence under the Virginia Plan. They worried that larger states would always outvote them. In response, William Paterson of New Jersey introduced the New Jersey Plan. This plan called for a single-house legislature with equal representation for each state, no matter the size. The debate between large and small states grew intense, with each side arguing for what they believed was fair and necessary for their survival.

The struggle highlighted a major problem: how could the new government balance the interests of states with large populations and those with small ones? The solution came in the form of the Great Compromise (also called the Connecticut Compromise). This agreement combined ideas from both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. It created a two-house Congress: one house (the House of Representatives) based on population, and the other (the Senate) giving each state two votes. This compromise was crucial in moving the Convention forward and shaping the final Constitution.

Madison's vision for a strong national government had a lasting impact. While he did not get everything he wanted, the Virginia Plan set the foundation for a government with separate branches and a system of checks and balances. The final Constitution reflected both the needs of the people and the states. Madison, later called the "Father of the Constitution," continued to defend the new framework in the Federalist Papers, urging citizens to support ratification. His careful reasoning and willingness to compromise helped create a government that could last.

The debate over the Virginia Plan shows how difficult it was to unite diverse states into one nation. It also demonstrates the importance of compromise and dialogue in American democracy. Madison and his fellow delegates faced many challenges, but their efforts produced a system that still governs the United States today.

Interesting Fact: The Virginia Plan not only shaped Congress but also influenced the structure of state governments across America.

Who wrote the Virginia Plan?

Where was the Constitutional Convention held?

What year did the Convention take place?

Why did small states dislike the Virginia Plan?

What did the Great Compromise create?

What was Madison's main goal?

The Senate gives each state two votes. True or false?

What is a compromise?