Delegates in Philadelphia (the Constitutional Convention) were debating the writing of the U.S. Constitution; this is largely true. At the end of August 1787, representatives of the original 13 states attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been the first attempt at a federal government of the United States.
It quickly became apparent to the delegates that the system of government established under the Articles was collapsing.
The national government had no ability to tax citizens. It had no ability to regulate commerce between states. It had no ability to enforce laws passed by the federal government. States operated independently and there was great concern that the young nation would disintegrate.
As the delegates sought a way forward, the primary disagreement developed into how states would be represented in Congress. That issue ultimately led to the introduction of the New Jersey Plan. A divide by size
Virginia and Pennsylvania and other large states believed that political power should be based upon population. Therefore, the larger states should have more representation than smaller states because they have more people. Smaller states saw the potential danger in that kind of a system. They believed that if a small group of large states controlled the federal government, their voices would be muted or lost entirely.
These opposing views of the relationship between size and political power dominated the opening several weeks of the Constitutional Convention.
The Virginia Plan establishes the tone
Prior to the introduction of the New Jersey Plan, the Virginia Plan had already been put before the convention. The Virginia Plan called for a national government to have significant powers, a bicameral legislature and representation in both houses to be based upon population. Large states supported the Virginia Plan. Small states opposed it.
William Paterson, a New Jersey delegate, recognized that if the Virginia Plan were to be accepted, smaller states would forever lose their political influence. As such, he prepared a counter-proposal.
New Jersey’s Response
On June 15, 1787, William Paterson introduced what would come to be known as the New Jersey Plan. At its core, the plan simply stated that every state had a right to equal representation and therefore should receive a single vote in Congress. This structure protected the interests of smaller states while also providing them a voice in Congress. At the same time, the New Jersey Plan provided for greater authority for the federal government by allowing Congress to establish the power to tax, regulate trade between states and enforce federal laws. The plan also proposed establishing a federal court system and an executive branch of the federal government elected by the states rather than by a single president.
The New Jersey Plan maintained the principle of equality among states but moved the nation closer to a more centralized federal system of government.
Why the plan mattered
The New Jersey Plan was about much more than the structure of the federal government. It was about balance.
Small states were willing to grant greater authority to the federal government only if they could protect their rights as states. The New Jersey Plan forced the delegates to acknowledge a truth that they could no longer avoid. There would be no progress unless a compromise was reached.
Many believed that a democratic system required proportional representation by population. There were also those who believed that states are independent and sovereign and deserve equal status.
Neither side was willing to make concessions to reach agreement.
The compromise
Roger Sherman of Connecticut ultimately found a solution that incorporated parts of both plans and would become known as the Great Compromise. The plan included a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives would be structured based upon the population of each state. The Senate would provide each state with two senators, regardless of the state’s size. No legislation could be enacted until it received approval from both houses of Congress. Thus, power would be distributed evenly among the states.
This structure is still in use today.
The enduring impact of the New Jersey Plan
Although the New Jersey Plan was not fully implemented, its influence cannot be denied. The New Jersey Plan helped form the U.S. Senate and guaranteed that smaller states will never again be ignored.
Each time the U.S. Senate convenes, the legacy of the New Jersey Plan is evident. California and New Jersey have the same number of senators. Wyoming and Texas have the same number of senators.
This balance was not created randomly; it was a product of intense struggle.
Why it still has significance today
New Jersey’s contribution to the development of the U.S. Constitution is frequently overlooked; however, it remains one of New Jersey’s greatest contributions to the nation.
The New Jersey Plan demonstrated that smaller states can effectively advocate for themselves and help shape the future. It reinforced the understanding that fairness is not merely a concept, but a necessity for the unity of the United States.
Over two hundred years after the compromise created by the New Jersey Plan, it remains a key component of how the United States is governed.