How did the Virginia Plan propose representation in the legislature?

The Virginia Plan proposed a system of bicameral representation in the legislature that was based on population. This plan was designed to ensure that states with larger populations would have more representatives than smaller states, thereby giving greater weight to the voices of more populous states in the legislative process. The intent was to create a national legislature that reflected the demographic realities of the country, promoting the idea of representation that was proportional to the size of each state's population.

By advocating for a two-house (bicameral) legislature, the Virginia Plan distinguished itself from other proposals, like the New Jersey Plan, which suggested equal representation for all states regardless of size. This focus on population-based representation was a key component of the broader debate during the Constitutional Convention, as it addressed concerns about fairness and the balance of power between states of differing sizes. Thus, the Virginia Plan aimed to create a strong central government that was representative of its citizens based on their population, shaping the foundation of American federalism as we know it today.