Which plan proposed proportional representation in Congress and was favored by larger states during the Constitutional Convention?

• A. The New Jersey Plan
• B. The Virginia Plan
• C. The Connecticut Compromise
• D. The Royal Plan

Answer: (B)

When a legislature is supposed to reflect the size of each state, proportional representation means states with larger populations get more seats. The Virginia Plan argued exactly that: create a strong national government with a two-house Congress where seats would be allocated based on a state's population (potentially including wealth as a factor), so bigger states would have much more influence. This approach directly benefits larger states, which is why it drew their strong support at the Convention. In contrast, smaller states backed plans that treated them more equally, like the New Jersey Plan, and later compromises tried to blend the ideas by creating a two-house structure with one chamber based on population and one with equal state representation. The Royal Plan isn’t part of the historical debate.