Final answer:
During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, one of the main issues debated was state representation, leading to the Great Compromise and the three-fifths compromise. Other significant debates centered around the balance of power in government and preventing government abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Main Issues During the Drafting of the Constitution
One of the main issues debated during the drafting of the Constitution in 1787 was state representation. Delegates from small states wanted to ensure that their interests were not overshadowed by larger states. This concern led to significant disagreements and ultimately resulted in the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. Another closely related concern was whether slaves should count towards a state's population for the purpose of representation and taxation, leading to the three-fifths compromise.
Aside from representation, delegates debated various other critical issues, such as the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government, the rights of states under the new federal system as opposed to the older Articles of Confederation, and concerns surrounding democracy and the prevention of government abuse. Each of these debates was crucial in forming the foundations of the United States Constitution and the government it would establish.