For five years after the Revolutionary War each state essentially governed itself. Although a national government existed, it had little power over the states. It soon became apparent that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised to combat the growing problems brewing in the country. The first attempt at reparations was rejected by many states. However, a second attempt produced results with twelve states sending delegates to correct the Articles of Confederation. Several delegates presented plans for consideration that would strengthen the national government, two of these plans were the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Although much of the Virginia plan had been accepted, if a compromise had not been reached, the New Jersey plan would have been more workable because it offered: equal representation of the states, provided operational means for Congress, and did not represent a radical departure from the Articles of The Confederation. To begin with, the unequal representation of the states in the Virginia Plan was of great concern and controversy, while the New Jersey Plan maintained equal representation of the states. Virginia proposed a bicameral legislature that included elections by the people and appointments by elected officials. This system used both wealth and population as a determining factor regarding the number of seats in both houses. New Jersey, on the other hand, has proposed a single-house legislature that allows each state only one vote. Population-based votes would put small states at a disadvantage. The most populous states would control the legislative branches, leaving small states without a voice. Even concerns about who should be counted in the population… middle of the paper… a viable network would require agreement from states and revenue. To obtain the agreement of the states they would need the guarantee that they have an equal voice and are not subject to monarchical rule. Although most of the Virginia plan was accepted, the New Jersey plan would have been more achievable if a compromise had not been reached. The New Jersey Plan guaranteed equal representation of the states, along with ways of financing the proposed government and security against monarchical rule. He also amended the Articles of Confederation rather than writing a new constitution. Considering all of this, combined with the state's fears of a centralized government, makes New Jersey's plan more achievable than Virginia's plan. Works Cited Sidney M. Milkis, Michael Nelson. The origins and development of the American presidency, 1776-2011. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2008.