What relationship did the Virginia Plan recommend between the national government and the states?

The Virginia Plan proposed a strong national government, which reflected the belief that the national government should have authority over the states in certain areas. This plan favored a framework where the central government would hold significant power, particularly in matters of federal importance, suggesting that states would be subservient to the national government regarding legislative matters, taxation, and interstate regulation.

This conception was a response to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, where the national government lacked the power to enforce laws, lead effectively, or regulate commerce among the states. By advocating for a system in which the national government would have supremacy in various jurisdictions, the Virginia Plan sought to create a more unified and effective national structure, thereby subordinating the states' powers where necessary to achieve national goals and provide for collective interests.

Choices that suggest equal partnerships, state dominance, or independent governance do not align with the intentions of the Virginia Plan, which explicitly called for a more centralized authority that could operate decisively above the states when required. This understanding of the relationship highlights the historical context of the debate surrounding state versus federal power during the Constitutional Convention.