What were the two plans proposed during the Constitutional Convention?

The two plans proposed during the Constitutional Convention were the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan, introduced by Edmund Randolph, called for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature, where representation in both houses would be based on a state's population. This plan favored larger states, as it would give them more representatives in Congress.

In contrast, the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation rather than replace them. It called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of size or population. This plan was designed to protect the interests of smaller states, ensuring that they would not be overshadowed by the larger states in legislative matters.

The correct answer highlights the fundamental debate over representation that shaped the formation of the United States government, ultimately leading to the Great Compromise, which created a bicameral Congress with both proportional and equal representation.