What was the primary goal of the Virginia Plan?

What was the primary goal of the Virginia Plan?

• A. To strengthen state governments
• B. To create a unicameral legislature
• C. To replace the Articles of Confederation
• D. To limit the power of the executive branch

Answer: (C)

The primary goal of the Virginia Plan was indeed to replace the Articles of Confederation. This plan, proposed during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, aimed to create a stronger national government that could effectively address the shortcomings of the Articles. The Articles had established a weak central government that struggled to maintain order and govern effectively, leading to a consensus that change was necessary. The Virginia Plan advocated for a federal structure that included a bicameral legislature, which would actually increase the power of the national government rather than favoring state governments. Contrary to the implications of strengthening state governments, the plan proposed a system where representation in the legislature was based on population, thus empowering larger states. Moreover, while the Virginia Plan pointed towards a more robust executive branch, it did not aim to limit the executive's power significantly; instead, it envisioned an executive branch that could effectively enforce national laws and policies, aligning more with the overall goal of establishing a functional national government.

The primary goal of the Virginia Plan was indeed to replace the Articles of Confederation. This plan, proposed during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, aimed to create a stronger national government that could effectively address the shortcomings of the Articles. The Articles had established a weak central government that struggled to maintain order and govern effectively, leading to a consensus that change was necessary.

The Virginia Plan advocated for a federal structure that included a bicameral legislature, which would actually increase the power of the national government rather than favoring state governments. Contrary to the implications of strengthening state governments, the plan proposed a system where representation in the legislature was based on population, thus empowering larger states.

Moreover, while the Virginia Plan pointed towards a more robust executive branch, it did not aim to limit the executive's power significantly; instead, it envisioned an executive branch that could effectively enforce national laws and policies, aligning more with the overall goal of establishing a functional national government.