GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentMedium
A political science student is analyzing the historical development of the U.S. Constitution. They note that the document includes specific language about the powers granted to the federal government, while all other powers are reserved for the states or the people. This structure is a direct result of which foundational debate at the Constitutional Convention?
- AThe debate between large and small states
- BThe debate over the role of the judiciary
- CThe debate over slavery
- DThe debate over the balance of power between state and national governments
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The debate over the balance of power between state and national governments
The specific enumeration of federal powers and the reservation of others to the states reflects the compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention regarding the division of power between the newly formed national government and the existing state governments.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The debate between large and small states led to the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) regarding legislative representation, not the division of powers.
- B. The debate over the role of the judiciary established the Supreme Court but did not dictate the overall division of powers between federal and state levels.
- C. The debate over slavery led to compromises like the Three-Fifths Compromise, but not directly to the structure of enumerated vs. reserved powers.
Federalism Debate
A central debate during the Constitutional Convention concerning the division of governmental power between the national (federal) government and individual state governments.
- Addressed concerns about central government overreach vs. state autonomy.
- Resulted in a system of enumerated (federal) and reserved (state) powers.
- Shaped the structure of the U.S. federal system as outlined in the Constitution.
Memory trick: The Founders DEBATED how to balance power among states and central government.