The New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan was proposed in 1787 as an alternative to the Virginia Plan during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. It aimed to preserve equal representation for each state regardless of size or population, giving smaller states more influence in Congress. The plan suggested a unicameral legislature with one vote per state, similar to the structure under the Articles of Confederation. It emphasized maintaining the sovereignty of individual states while creating a national government with limited powers. Although it was not adopted, it influenced the development of the structure of the U.S. Congress, leading to the compromise that created a two-house legislature.