The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson on June 15, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention, was a response to the Virginia Plan and was designed to address the concerns of smaller states. Paterson argued that the Constitutional Convention had been called to amend the Articles of Confederation (AOC), not to create an entirely new system of government. His proposal emphasized the protection of state sovereignty and the preservation of the equal representation of states in the legislature, which had been a core feature of the Articles (Wisc 2021).
The central feature of the New Jersey Plan was its call for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states, regardless of their population size. This was a direct challenge to the Virginia Plan's proposal for a bicameral legislature based on proportional representation. Under the Virginia Plan, larger states would have greater influence, which smaller states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland feared would lead to their concerns being overshadowed. By advocating for equal representation, Paterson sought to ensure that smaller states would not be dominated by the larger states in the legislative process (Bamzai 2022). This idea echoed the principles of the Articles of Confederation, which had granted each state one vote in the national legislature and was designed to maintain a balance of power between states.
Paterson’s plan proposed a government structure that would allow the national government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation while limiting its power. The New Jersey Plan sought to maintain the independence and sovereignty of the states, which were seen as crucial to preserving the freedoms of the people. Nevertheless, it also recognized the necessity for a stronger central government than what the Articles had provided. Under the New Jersey Plan, the federal government would have the authority to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and enforce its laws, powers that had been absent under the Articles. This was a key aspect of Paterson's vision for the future of the United States, which had struggled to function effectively under the weak central government of the Confederation (Estes 2011).
A notable provision of the New Jersey Plan was the creation of a plural executive, rather than a single president. The executive would consist of an executive committee selected by the national legislature, with members serving one-year terms. This committee would be responsible for enforcing national laws and could use force against states that refused to comply with federal mandates. Although this idea raised concerns among some delegates about the potential for executive overreach, it reflected Paterson’s desire to avoid concentrating too much power in one individual and to maintain a system of checks and balances (Madison 1787). Additionally, the executive committee would be accountable to the states and could be removed by a majority vote of state governors, ensuring that the executive branch did not become too powerful or detached from the will of the people.
The New Jersey Plan also proposed the creation of a national judiciary, which would be responsible for interpreting federal laws and resolving disputes between states. However, unlike the Virginia Plan, which called for a detailed judicial structure, the New Jersey Plan provided few details about the organization or powers of the judiciary. It was intended that the judiciary would be appointed by the executive, but delegates expressed concerns about the potential for judicial overreach, especially regarding the ability of the national courts to override state laws. This hesitation reflected broader concerns among delegates about creating a centralized judiciary that could diminish state power (Wisc 2021).
James Madison, a strong advocate of the Virginia Plan, responded to the New Jersey Plan with a sharp critique. He argued that the plan did not address the critical weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly the inability of the national government to enforce its laws and regulate commerce. Madison also criticized the New Jersey Plan’s proposal for a unicameral legislature and its insistence on equal representation, arguing that it would fail to resolve the problem of inefficiency in the government. According to Madison, the plan did not go far enough in strengthening the national government, particularly in its ability to raise revenue and ensure compliance with national laws (Bamzai 2022).
Despite its rejection at the Constitutional Convention, the New Jersey Plan had a significant impact on the development of the U.S. Constitution. The most important feature of the New Jersey Plan, its call for equal representation for each state, became a central element of the Great Compromise. This compromise, which combined features of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population (from the Virginia Plan) and the Senate granting equal representation to each state (from the New Jersey Plan). This compromise ensured that both large and small states would have a role in the legislative process, addressing the concerns of smaller states while maintaining the benefits of proportional representation for larger states (Estes 2011).
Although the New Jersey Plan was not adopted in full, its proposals for equal state representation and a more limited federal government helped to shape the final structure of the Constitution. Paterson’s advocacy for protecting the interests of smaller states, as well as his emphasis on preserving state sovereignty, influenced the debates and decisions that led to the creation of the new system of government. The New Jersey Plan’s call for a unicameral legislature and its insistence on state equality served as a counterpoint to the more centralized vision put forward by the Virginia Plan, and these ideas would resonate throughout the debates over the Constitution’s final structure (U.S. Senate 2021).
In the end, the New Jersey Plan may not have been fully adopted, but its proposals were crucial in shaping the compromises that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. The ideas of equal representation and limited federal power helped to ensure that smaller states were not sidelined in the new system of government, while the incorporation of these elements into the Great Compromise provided a balanced approach that would enable the new government to function effectively. The New Jersey Plan’s legacy can be seen in the final structure of the U.S. government, particularly in the creation of the Senate, where each state, regardless of size, has an equal vote (Bamzai 2022).
In conclusion, the New Jersey Plan may have been rejected, but it played a crucial role in the formation of the U.S. Constitution. By advocating for equal state representation and a more limited federal government, the plan highlighted the concerns of smaller states and helped shape the final design of the American system of government. Its influence can still be seen today in the structure of the U.S. Congress, where the Senate continues to provide equal representation for all states, regardless of size or population (Madison 1787).