What were the key issues debated during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution?

The key issues debated during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution included representation, slavery, federalism, and the powers of the executive branch.

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a hotbed of debate and compromise, with delegates from the thirteen states grappling with fundamental questions about the nature and structure of the new government. One of the most contentious issues was representation. Small states favoured the New Jersey Plan, which proposed equal representation for each state in Congress, while larger states supported the Virginia Plan, which proposed representation based on population. The issue was eventually resolved with the Connecticut Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.

Another major issue was slavery. Southern states wanted slaves to be counted for purposes of representation, while Northern states, where slavery was less prevalent, disagreed. This led to the infamous Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation. The Constitution also included a clause that allowed the importation of slaves to continue until 1808, a concession to the Southern states.

Federalism, or the division of power between the federal government and the states, was another key issue. Some delegates, known as Federalists, argued for a strong central government, while others, known as Anti-Federalists, feared that a powerful central government would threaten states' rights and individual liberties. The Constitution attempted to balance these concerns by establishing a federal system with a division of powers between the federal government and the states.

Finally, the powers of the executive branch were hotly debated. Some delegates feared that a strong executive would lead to tyranny, while others believed that a weak executive would result in ineffective government. The Constitution established a single executive, the President, with significant powers but also checks and balances from the legislative and judicial branches.

In conclusion, the drafting of the U.S. Constitution involved intense debates over representation, slavery, federalism, and the powers of the executive branch. These debates reflected the diverse interests and concerns of the thirteen states, and the resulting compromises shaped the structure and function of the U.S. government.