Who created the Virginia Plan?

The Virginia Plan was primarily the work of James Madison and is considered a pivotal contribution to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," proposed this plan as a framework for a strong national government. It called for a bi-cameral legislature, where representation would be based on a state's population, thereby favoring populous states in terms of legislative power. The plan advocated for a stronger federal government compared to what existed under the Articles of Confederation and aimed to address issues of governance and representation that had been problematic.

Madison's vision for the structure of the government emphasized checks and balances and the separation of powers, which would shape the future U.S. government. This influential proposal garnered considerable debate and ultimately led to the Great Compromise, which balanced the interests of both large and small states in forming the United States Constitution. Other figures mentioned, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, played significant roles in the founding of the nation, but it was Madison who specifically authored the Virginia Plan.