Question

select the correct answer.

which belief was generally held by the founding fathers at the constitutional convention in 1787?

slavery should be abolished.
presidents should be powerless.
a stronger central government was needed.
a larger navy and a smaller army were needed.

Explanation:

Identify the historical context of 1787

In 1787, delegates met at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The nation was operating under its first constitution, the Articles of Confederation. This system of Early American Government was struggling to maintain stability, manage national debt, and put down domestic uprisings.

Analyze the impact of Shays' Rebellion

Events like Shays' Rebellion highlighted the severe Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The national government lacked the power to raise an army, levy taxes directly, or regulate interstate commerce, leaving the young republic vulnerable and disorganized.

Evaluate the consensus among the delegates

The primary consensus among the Founding Fathers at the convention was that the decentralized system under the Articles was failing. To preserve the union, they agreed that a stronger central government was absolutely necessary, leading them to draft a new United States Constitution.

Assess the incorrect options

• Slavery should be abolished: While some delegates opposed slavery, the convention compromised to protect it (e.g., the Three-Fifths Compromise) to keep Southern states in the Union.
• Presidents should be powerless: The delegates wanted an executive branch with sufficient energy and power to enforce laws, unlike the weak executive committee under the Articles.
• A larger navy and a smaller army: This specific military ratio was not a primary, universally held guiding belief of the convention.

Answer:

• (A) Slavery should be abolished.
• (B) Presidents should be powerless.
• (C) A stronger central government was needed. (Correct answer)
• (D) A larger navy and a smaller army were needed.