Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which plan proposed by William Paterson advocated for equal representation in Congress?

1. Virginia Plan

2. New Jersey Plan

3. Connecticut Compromise

4. Missouri Compromise

The correct answer is: New Jersey Plan

The correct answer is the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention. This plan aimed to address the concerns of smaller states by advocating for equal representation in Congress, meaning each state would have the same number of representatives regardless of its population size. This approach was a direct response to the Virginia Plan, which favored representation based on population and would have given larger states more power in the legislative process. The New Jersey Plan was significant because it sought to maintain a level of equality among states, ensuring that smaller states would not be overshadowed by larger ones. This plan ultimately led to the creation of a bicameral legislature, as part of the Connecticut Compromise, which balanced the needs of both larger and smaller states. In contrast, the Virginia Plan emphasized population-based representation, while the Missouri Compromise dealt with issues surrounding slavery and state admission rather than congressional representation. The New Jersey Plan's advocacy for equal representation became a crucial element in the framework of the U.S. government, reinforcing the principle of state equality in the legislative body.