Question

For this assignment, you will examine a primary source, the 1787 Virginia Plan. Conduct Internet research to locate and read a copy of the plan. Since the document was written over 200 years ago, you may also want to locate a transcript of the document to support your understanding. In the space below, write one to two paragraphs analyzing the purpose of the Virginia Plan. Be sure to address the following: How does the structure of the plan emphasize key ideas? How does word choice and voice affect the document? What is the purpose of the document, and do you think it successfully achieves this purpose? Why or why not? Include quotes that support your analysis. Cite your source.

Answer 1

• How does the structure of the plan emphasize key ideas?

The Virginia plan had 15 Resolutions, each resolution pointed something that needed to be changed/or improved:

Resolution 1: The articles of the confederation ought to be corrected and enlarged

Resolution 2: The right vote in the national legislature, ought to be proportioned to the share of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants

Resolution 3: The national legislature ought to consist of two branches (bicameral)

Resolution 4: The people of each State should elect the First Branch of the National Legislature.

Resolution 5: The Second Branch of the National Legislature should be elected by the first

Resolution 6: The national legislature shall have power "to legislate in all cases to which the separate States are incompetent" and to void any state laws that contravene the [Constitution]

Resolution 7: The National Legislature shall elect a National Executive with the authority to execute the national laws and taxes

Resolution 8: A Council of Revision should be formed by the Executive and members of the judiciary with the authority to examine, and reject, every act of the national legislature

Resolution 9: A national judiciary should be established consisting of one or more supreme tribunals and inferior tribunals. Judges will be appointed for life

Resolution 10: Provision should be made for the admission of States to the union

Resolution 11: The territory and government of each state ought to be guaranteed by the United States

Resolution 12: Provision should be made for Congress to continue until the new articles of the union are adopted

Resolution 13: Provision should be made for amendments of the articles of union

Resolution 14: State Legislatures, Executives, and the judiciary should be bound by oath to support the Articles of Union

Resolution 15: The new plan for the government should be ratified (approved) by the people, through assemblies of representatives chosen by the people

• How does word choice and voice affect the document?

The word choice of the Virginia Plan was important, first because they used some words like “ought” so they could compare to the previous documents and have a better solution and also the word “ought” sounded like the Plan needed to be achieved for the sake of the Country. The whole plan sounds like a necessity to solve a problem.

• What is the purpose of the document, and do you think it successfully achieves this purpose?

The purpose of the Virginia Plan was to create a bicameral legislative branch and the creation of three branches - legislative, executive and judicial - The bicameral solution for the legislative branch was created because there was a big problem with the number of representatives, it would either be in favor of bigger states or small states. The Plan achieved this purpose successfully by creating a bicameral legislative branch. This system was adopted by several federations around the world as it is a great way to balance representation.