Why Did Small States Like the New Jersey Plan?

The New Jersey Plan was a proposal for a new federal government that was favored by small states. It proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have one vote, regardless of its population. This plan was opposed by large states, who wanted a bicameral legislature where they would have more representation.

Advantages of the New Jersey Plan for Small States

• Equal representation: Under the New Jersey Plan, each state would have one vote in the legislature, regardless of its population. This would give small states a more equal voice in the federal government.
• Protection from tyranny: Small states feared that they would be dominated by large states in a bicameral legislature. The New Jersey Plan would have protected them from this by giving them an equal voice in the legislature.
• Simplicity: The New Jersey Plan was a simple and straightforward proposal. It would have been easy to implement and would have avoided the complex and contentious debates that surrounded the bicameral legislature proposal.

Disadvantages of the New Jersey Plan for Large States

• Inequitable representation: The New Jersey Plan would have given each state an equal vote in the legislature, regardless of its population. This would have given small states a disproportionate voice in the federal government.
• Lack of protection for minority interests: A unicameral legislature would have made it difficult for minority interests to be represented. This could have led to tyranny of the majority.
• Complexity: The New Jersey Plan would have required a constitutional amendment to implement. This would have been a difficult and time-consuming process.

Conclusion

The New Jersey Plan was a proposal for a new federal government that was favored by small states. It proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have one vote, regardless of its population. This plan was opposed by large states, who wanted a bicameral legislature where they would have more representation. Ultimately, the Constitutional Convention adopted a compromise that included a bicameral legislature with equal representation for small states in the Senate and proportional representation for large states in the House of Representatives.

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