The Virginia Plans -6/15/25

Virginia Plan

Proposed by Virginia delegates James Madison and Edmund Randolph at the Constitutional Convention

Purpose of Plan

Create a stronger federal government with a new structure

Bicameral Legislature

Two houses: a lower house and an upper house

Lower House

Elected directly by the people

Upper House

Appointed by members of the lower house

Chief Executive

Figurehead of the new nation

Representation

Based on each state's population

Impact on States

Benefitted larger states with bigger populations

Smaller States’ Reaction

Disagreed and created their own plans

Why Virginia Proposed It

Larger population and influence at the time

James Madison & Edmund Randolph

Respected leaders who believed in a strong federal government

Convention Result

The plan sparked debate and led to more proposals