Legislative Branch Flashcards
Review class notes on the subject of the legislative branch
The Virginia Plan
Bicameral Legislature composed of a lower and an upper house. The lower house would depend upon popular sovereignty while the upper house would be selected by the lower house. Proposed to replace the states with federal districts resulting in large, political, power centers far outside of the reach of the minorities. Popular among the large states.
James Madison
Author of the Virginia Plan
Edmond Randolf
Proposer of the Virginia Plan
- handsome, articulate, and persuasive
- Governor of Virginia, huge Southern power
The New Jersey Plan
A unicameral legislature securing state sovereignty by equal representation. Would have still been a confederation without sufficient union though more than was given through the Articles of Confederation. Popular among the small states.
William Patterson
Drafted and proposed the New Jersey Plan
The Great Connecticut Compromise
Bicameral legislature with the lower house representing the people and the upper house the states with equal representation.
Roger Sherman
Proposed the Great Connecticut Compromise
Qualifications of a Representative
25 age limit, 7 years a U.S. citizen. Elected by the people every 2 years. Allowed almost anybody to take part in representing the people.
Qualifications of a Senator
2 allowed from each state for 6 year terms. Age limit of 30 years, 9 years a U.S. citizen.
James Wilson
“We are no longer Virginians…We are Americans.”
