The proposal, crafted by James Madison and presented at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, advocated for a bicameral legislature where representation in both houses would be based on population. This favored larger states, granting them more influence in the new government. The concept included an executive and judiciary branch, both chosen by the legislature.
This framework was significant because it directly challenged the existing Articles of Confederation, which provided equal representation for all states regardless of size. Its introduction spurred debate and ultimately shaped the structure of the U.S. government. The debate over representation highlighted the tension between states with larger populations and those with smaller populations, ultimately leading to compromise.