1.

Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey Plans; what were the strengths
and weaknesses of each proposal? And, what parts of both plans eventually became
part of the Connecticut Compromise?

2.

What two fears did the founders have about the people? And, how were those
fears reflected in the United States Constitution?

While the constitutional convention gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Aricles of

Confederation, The Virginia Plan was the first proposal delegated by James Madison and
presented by the governor of Virginia, Edmund Randolph, that a new type of government
that benefits Virginia and larger states on May 29, 1787. After the Virginia Plan was
introduced, the New Jersey Plan was offered by William Paterson to protect smaller states
from being overpowered by the larger states. Indeed, the Virginia and New Jersey Plans
have both strengths and weakness. Both plans have their difference and favored in states.
In terms of the number of representatives, the Virginia Plans was based on the population
of each state that favored large states like Virginia in Congress. The advantages for these
states were protected in the new government. Government could not control the states and
federal control was also maintained. In contrast, the New Jersey Plan was the states would
have the same votes in Congress and two-house representation rather than based on size of
population. This will protect the smaller states from larger states in Congress. In terms of
balancing power, legislative, executive, and judicial were divided into three to monitor the
government. In contrast, the New Jersey Plans congress had more powers and appointed a
national judiciary to monitor the commerce and tax collection; however, supremacy clause had
the power of making law for nation and states instead. Executive council was appointed by the
Congress to resist the national laws and regulations by having the power of military. The new
plan retained the character of the government but raise the power of each state in Congress to
monitor the national government. The strengths for both of the plan would be combine to
become the Connecticut Compromise, as one of the strongest forms of government today.
Eventually, the New Jersey Plan was rejected as a basis for a new constitution. The Connecticut
Compromise use most the ideas of the Virginia Plan but some from the New Jersey Plan as well.
Senate was created so that each state would have equal number of votes to protect smaller states.
The House of Representatives also formed to satisfy larger states that based on population.

2. The Founding Fathers believed in a type of government like republicanism instead of

Democracy. Based upon their mindset, they wanted to create a government to prevent tyranny of
any kind and from an individual or an organization. Although the idea of the republicanism in the
eighteen-century was based on the representative government, it was not quite similar as our
democracy today. One of the things that they were worried about was to rule by the majority.
While they like people take part into the public life, they didnt think that too much participation
of individuals is a good idea to the government and might led to worst scenario. The Founding
Fathers didnt have common skills like other people. They were far more educated than average
Americans and used quotes from philosophers and scores of other thinkers during the daily
communication and speech conference. They were a group of experienced experts in American
politics and had the knowledge of political science as well. Thats why they couldnt accept some
regular civilian to take part into politics of America. Moreover, the Founding Fathers were
worried about the constitution of the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania case was a good
example of popular sovereignty to James Madison that could turn into a tyranny. The constitution
of Pennsylvania replaced the property qualification to vote with very small tax so it allowed
more people to vote, which was against the Founding Fathers philosophy. Furthermore, the
Founding Fathers were concerned about protecting the rights of people of having own private
property. When it was rule by the majority, these individuals or organization may go against their
philosophy and take down the government.
The United States Constitution reflect the distrust of democracy from the Founding Fathers.
They built a republican form of government to limit the democracy. Electoral College was crated
to select the president, which allowed each state to choose a certain number of electors. Thus, the
president would not directly elected and lead to a consistent victory from a larger state. Since the
House of Representatives was set up, the Founding Fathers distrusted about democracy that
would towards tyranny and diverse the United States. The Senate was assigned to be appointed
by the legislatures of each single state. In the result, the favor of voters would insulate from the
Senators and never be chosen.