1. Strong Central Government vs. States' Rights: The Founding Fathers were divided on the issue of how much power should be held by the federal government and how much autonomy should be retained by individual states. Some, like Alexander Hamilton, argued for a strong central government, while others, like Patrick Henry, advocated for greater states' rights.
2. Representation and Voting Rights: There were disagreements over who should be able to vote and how elected representatives should be chosen. Some supported universal suffrage, while others favored property or wealth requirements for voting. Debates also arose about the representation of enslaved individuals and how they should be counted in the census for determining the apportionment of congressional seats.
3. Slavery: The institution of slavery was a major source of division among the Founding Fathers. Some, such as Thomas Jefferson, acknowledged the contradiction between slavery and the ideals of liberty and equality, but struggled to find a solution due to economic interests and political realities. Others, particularly from the southern states, defended slavery and sought to protect the interests of slave owners.
4. Judicial Review: Another point of contention was whether the Supreme Court should have the power to declare laws passed by Congress as unconstitutional. Alexander Hamilton strongly supported judicial review, while others, like Thomas Jefferson, feared it could lead to judicial tyranny.
5. Bill of Rights: The inclusion of a Bill of Rights was a significant area of debate. Federalist leaders like James Madison argued that the Constitution itself sufficiently protected individual rights, while Anti-Federalists demanded explicit protections against government overreach. The eventual inclusion of the Bill of Rights was a compromise.
Despite these divisions, the Founding Fathers were able to come together, make compromises, and reach consensus on the framework for the new government that became the United States Constitution. Their deliberations and compromises during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 laid the foundation for the enduring system of government that defines the United States.