The Constitutional Convention was a historic event that took place in the United States in 1787. During this meeting, the nation`s founding fathers came together to draft the US Constitution, which serves as the foundation of the country`s government system to this day. However, the process of drafting this document was not without its disagreements. In fact, there were three major areas of disagreement that arose during the convention, which have come to be known as the “big three” disagreements. These were representation, slavery, and the powers of the federal government. But which of these was not one of the big three disagreements at the Constitutional Convention?
The answer is representation. Although representation was indeed a topic of discussion during the convention, it was not one of the “big three” areas of disagreement. Rather, the issue of representation was closely tied to the bigger debate over the powers of the federal government. Specifically, the question of how power should be divided between the states and the federal government was a major sticking point for many of the delegates.
As for the actual “big three” disagreements, let`s take a closer look at each of them:
1. Slavery: Perhaps the most contentious issue at the Constitutional Convention was the issue of slavery. Many of the delegates were deeply divided over whether to include provisions that would protect the institution of slavery in the new Constitution. In the end, compromises were made, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of determining representation in Congress.
2. The Powers of the Federal Government: Another major area of disagreement was the power of the federal government. Some delegates believed that a strong federal government was necessary to maintain order and protect the nation`s interests. Others, however, feared that a strong central government would become tyrannical and infringe upon the rights of states and individual citizens. This debate ultimately led to the creation of a system of checks and balances that divided powers between the federal government and the states.
3. The Structure of Congress: Finally, the structure of Congress was also a point of contention at the Constitutional Convention. Specifically, the delegates were divided over how representation in Congress should be determined. Some believed that each state should have an equal number of representatives, while others argued that states should be represented in proportion to their population. This debate ultimately led to the creation of a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate granting equal representation to each state.
In conclusion, the “big three” disagreements at the Constitutional Convention were slavery, the powers of the federal government, and the structure of Congress. While representation was certainly a topic of discussion, it was not one of the major sticking points for the delegates. By understanding these debates, we can gain a better understanding of the intentions and compromises that shaped the document that laid the foundation for the United States government.