What framework did the Virginia Plan propose for Congress?

The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature that would be structured based on the population of each state, meaning that states with larger populations would have more representatives in Congress. This plan was submitted during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was significant because it challenged the existing structure under the Articles of Confederation, which favored equal representation among the states regardless of size or population.

The intention behind the Virginia Plan was to create a more equitable representation system that would reflect the demographics of the country at the time. This approach was favored by larger states, as it would give them more influence in the legislative process compared to smaller states. The plan ultimately played a crucial role in the discussions that led to the Great Compromise, which established the Congress as we know it today, consisting of the House of Representatives (where representation is based on population) and the Senate (where each state has equal representation).

The other proposed frameworks, such as a unicameral legislature, which comprises a single legislative chamber, or a council of state governors, did not align with the structure outlined in the Virginia Plan. Moreover, the idea of a bicameral legislature with equal representation was represented in the New Jersey Plan, which contrasted with the Virginia Plan's population-based representation.