What was the primary concern addressed by the Virginia Plan?

The Virginia Plan primarily aimed to create a strong national government. Proposed during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 by James Madison, the plan sought to address the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak central government that struggled to govern effectively. The Virginia Plan called for a three-branch government with a bicameral legislature, significantly enhancing the powers of the national government.

This emphasis on a strong national government was intended to provide the necessary authority to manage issues that were beyond the capacity of individual states, such as defense, regulation of commerce, and taxation. The plan favored larger states by proposing representation based on population, reflecting the belief that a national government should be robust enough to function efficiently while also considering the needs of more populous states.

Though other concerns like state sovereignty, balance among states, and voter representation were indeed significant during the discussions, the Virginia Plan specifically focused on establishing a framework for a stronger central authority, setting the foundational tone for the new Constitution.