New Jersey Plan

Question

The smaller states came up with a plan to stop the larger states from getting too much power. New Jersey delegate William Paterson presented the small-state or New Jersey Plan, which called for a unicameral, or one-house, legislature. The plan gave each state an equal number of votes, and thus an equal voice, in the federal government. The plan gave the federal government the power to tax citizens in all states, and it allowed the government to regulate commerce.

Compromise Is Reached

After a month of debate, the delegates were unable to agree on how states should be represented. The convention reached a deadlock. Finally, Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed a compromise plan. The legislative branch would have two houses. Each state, regardless of its size, would have two representatives in the Senate, or upper house. This would give each state an equal voice, pleasing the smaller states. In the House of Representatives, or lower house, the number of representatives for each state would be determined by the state's population. This pleased the larger states. The agreement to create a two- house legislature became known as the Great Compromise.

Question: What part of the Great Compromise was influenced by the New Jersey Plan?

A A unicameral legislature

B Representation in the lower house based on population

C A bicameral legislature

D Equal representation for states in the upper house

Answer 1

The part of the Great Compromise that was influenced by the New Jersey Plan is:

D Equal representation for states in the upper house.

The New Jersey Plan proposed equal representation for each state, which was incorporated into the Senate of the Great Compromise, where each state, regardless of size, has two representatives.