Step by step bot what were 3 key issues in the constitutional debate

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Constitutional Debate
The constitutional debate refers to the discussions and disagreements surrounding the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution in the late 18th century. The debate arose due to the need for a stronger central government, as the existing Articles of Confederation had proven to be ineffective.

Step 2: Identifying Key Issues
During the constitutional debate, several major issues surfaced, leading to intense discussions and compromises among the Founding Fathers. Three key issues that emerged were:
1. Representation and Federalism: One of the most significant issues was the debate over representation and the division of power between the federal government and the states. There were disputes regarding how states should be represented in the legislative branch and whether states should have equal representation or representation proportional to their population. The smaller states favored equal representation (as in the Articles of Confederation), while larger states advocated for proportional representation. This led to the development of the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, which created a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
2. Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise: Slavery was a divisive issue during the constitutional debate. Southern states with large slave populations pushed for slaves to be counted in determining population and representation but opposed them being counted for taxation purposes. On the other hand, Northern states wanted slaves to be counted for taxation but not for determining representation. This conflict led to the Three-Fifths Compromise, where enslaved individuals were counted as three-fifths of a person when determining both representation and taxation.
3. The Balance of Power: Another significant issue surrounded the balance of power between the federal government and the states. Some delegates, known as Federalists, supported a strong central government and believed in a system where the federal government had greater authority. In contrast, Anti-Federalists favored a limited federal government with more power granted to the states. To address these concerns, compromises were made by adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution, ensuring that certain individual rights would be protected.

Step 3: Conclusion
Throughout the constitutional debate, several key issues arose, including representation and federalism, the issue of slavery, and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The Founding Fathers worked together to find compromises and address these issues, resulting in the drafting and subsequent ratification of the United States Constitution.