What was the primary goal of the Virginia Plan?

The primary goal of the Virginia Plan was indeed to replace the Articles of Confederation. This plan, proposed during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, aimed to create a stronger national government that could effectively address the shortcomings of the Articles. The Articles had established a weak central government that struggled to maintain order and govern effectively, leading to a consensus that change was necessary.

The Virginia Plan advocated for a federal structure that included a bicameral legislature, which would actually increase the power of the national government rather than favoring state governments. Contrary to the implications of strengthening state governments, the plan proposed a system where representation in the legislature was based on population, thus empowering larger states.

Moreover, while the Virginia Plan pointed towards a more robust executive branch, it did not aim to limit the executive's power significantly; instead, it envisioned an executive branch that could effectively enforce national laws and policies, aligning more with the overall goal of establishing a functional national government.