The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history. Summoned initially to revise the Articles of Confederation, the delegates ultimately embarked on a far more ambitious project: creating an entirely new framework of government. Understanding What Did The Constitutional Convention Agree On requires delving into the compromises, debates, and fundamental principles that shaped the United States Constitution.
The Foundation of a Federal Republic What Did The Constitutional Convention Agree On?
One of the most crucial agreements forged at the Constitutional Convention was the establishment of a federal republic. This system balanced the power between a central, national government and individual state governments. The delegates recognized the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which granted too much power to the states, leading to disunity and ineffectiveness. They also feared creating a central government that was too powerful, potentially mirroring the monarchy they had just overthrown. Therefore, the federal republic was a compromise, dividing powers between the national and state levels.
Specifically, the delegates agreed on a system of enumerated powers for the federal government, meaning the national government only possessed the powers explicitly granted to it in the Constitution. All other powers were reserved for the states. This division of power was further reinforced by the creation of three distinct branches of government Legislative, Executive, and Judicial each with its own specific responsibilities and a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant. Key agreements that shaped this federal republic included:
- A bicameral legislature (Congress) with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.
- An executive branch headed by a President, responsible for enforcing laws.
- A judicial branch headed by a Supreme Court, responsible for interpreting laws.
To further illustrate the structure of the government, consider the following simplified representation of the distribution of powers:
| Branch | Main Function |
|---|---|
| Legislative (Congress) | Makes laws |
| Executive (President) | Enforces laws |
| Judicial (Supreme Court) | Interprets laws |
Dig deeper into the specifics of the agreements reached by exploring the full text of the US Constitution and supplemental historical documents related to the Constitutional Convention. The resources are available at the National Archives official website.