What was the main intention of the Virginia Plan?

Study for the Praxis II US History / World History Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Excel in your test day!

The Virginia Plan was primarily designed to favor larger states by proposing a system of representation in the national legislature that was based on the population of each state. This means that states with larger populations would have more representatives, giving them greater influence in the legislative process. The intent behind this plan was to enhance the power of populous states and ensure that their needs and interests were adequately represented in the new government being formed.

In contrast to the Virginia Plan, other proposals like the New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation regardless of state size, providing each state with the same number of votes in Congress. Additionally, while the Virginia Plan did suggest a stronger federal government and included elements for an executive branch, its primary goal was to reshape representation in a way that favored the more populous states, which was a significant point of contention during the Constitutional Convention.

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