What was the main objective of the Virginia Plan in the context of representation?

The Virginia Plan primarily aimed to address representation in the newly proposed national government by favoring larger states. Developed by James Madison and presented by Edmund Randolph at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the plan advocated for a legislative structure that would be based on the population of each state. This meant that larger states, with greater populations, would have more representatives in the legislature, thereby giving them increased power and influence over national policy.

This approach was a departure from the existing structure under the Articles of Confederation, which provided equal representation for each state, regardless of size. The idea behind the Virginia Plan was to create a stronger central government that could more effectively address the issues faced by the states, which had become evident in the years following independence. The proposal ultimately led to significant debates and compromises, particularly with the smaller states that felt threatened by the potential overwhelming influence of the larger states, culminating in the Great Compromise that established a bicameral legislature.