The Constitutional Convention of 1787, which brought together delegates from the 13 American colonies, is considered one of the most significant events in American history. These delegates gathered for four months in Philadelphia to draft a new constitution that would replace the Articles of Confederation. However, as with any group of people working on a complex project, there were disagreements that had to be worked through before they could reach a consensus. In this article, we will discuss the big three disagreements at the Constitutional Convention.

1. Representation in Congress

One of the most contentious issues at the Constitutional Convention was how to represent the states in Congress. The large states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, wanted representation based on population, while the small states, such as New Jersey and Delaware, wanted equal representation for each state.

The compromise reached was the Great Compromise, which created a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives, with representation based on population, and the Senate, with each state having two senators.

2. Slavery

Another major disagreement at the Constitutional Convention was over the issue of slavery. The Southern states, which relied heavily on slave labor, were opposed to any provisions that would limit or abolish slavery. Meanwhile, Northern states, which had largely abolished slavery, were adamant about the need to end the practice.

The compromise reached was the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of determining representation in Congress and taxation.

3. Executive Power

The creation of the executive branch of government was another issue that generated significant debate at the Constitutional Convention. Some delegates believed that the president should have significant power, while others were wary of giving too much authority to any one individual.

The compromise reached was the creation of a strong executive branch, headed by a president who was elected by an electoral college rather than directly by the people. The president was given the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress was granted the power to override the veto with a two-thirds vote.

In Conclusion

The big three disagreements at the Constitutional Convention were representation in Congress, slavery, and executive power. Despite the disagreements, the delegates were able to reach compromises that laid the foundation for the American government as we know it today. The Constitution that was ultimately ratified has endured for more than two centuries and remains a beacon of democracy and freedom around the world.