Question

select the correct answer.

what was a major obstacle to drafting a new constitution at the constitutional convention of 1787?

a disagreement between the states over representation in congress
a controversy over the separation between church and state
the delegates lack of practical government experience
the hostility of the federalists

Explanation:

Identify the core historical event

The question asks about a major obstacle to drafting a new constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Analyze the historical debate

At the Constitutional Convention, delegates from large states and small states clashed intensely over how states would be represented in the new national legislature. Large states favored representation based on population (the Virginia Plan), while small states demanded equal representation for every state (the New Jersey Plan).

Evaluate the given options

• a disagreement between the states over representation in Congress: This directly describes the conflict between large and small states, which was resolved by the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise). This is the correct answer.
• a controversy over the separation between church and state: While religious freedom was valued, this was not a primary structural obstacle to drafting the Constitution in 1787.
• the delegates' lack of practical government experience: This is incorrect; most delegates were highly experienced politicians, lawyers, and leaders who had served in colonial assemblies, state governments, or the Continental Congress.
• the hostility of the Federalists: The Federalists were the proponents of the new Constitution and worked to facilitate, rather than obstruct, its drafting.

Formulate the final conclusion

The primary structural obstacle was the debate over legislative representation, making the first option the correct choice.

Answer:

• (A) a disagreement between the states over representation in Congress (Correct answer)
• (B) a controversy over the separation between church and state
• (C) the delegates' lack of practical government experience
• (D) the hostility of the Federalists