Virginia plan
The Virginia Plan was a draft that served as a basis for discussion during the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787. After the articles of confederation threatened to fail as a constitution, 55 delegates from twelve of the 13 states ( Rhode Island refused to participate) discussed the future organization of the confederation in a joint meeting in Philadelphia . The Virginia Plan consisted of 15 separate proposals, each addressing a specific aspect of the system of government. The plan got its name from Edmund Jennings Randolph , delegate of the State of Virginia , who presented it at the meeting and was also the first to propose a completely new constitution - originally only a revision of the articles of confederation was planned.
One of the main features of the Virginia Plan, and also one of the most controversial issues during the gathering, was the design of the legislature . The plan provided for a two-chamber system in which both chambers should be chosen in relation to the number of inhabitants. The population of the individual states would directly elect the lower house, which in turn would elect the members of the upper house. This proposal was particularly criticized by the less populous federal states, who feared a loss of power within the central government. As a counter-proposal, they submitted the New Jersey Plan .
The solution to the conflict was found after long debates in the Connecticut Compromise , which also provided for two chambers. The House of Commons was to consist of representatives directly elected by the people (today's House of Representatives ). Each state should be represented in the House of Lords by exactly two delegates appointed by them (today's Senate ). From 1913 the senators are also directly elected.