Final answer:
The Framers of the U.S. Constitution claimed to represent the American people through a republican framework, asserting authority from the consent of the governed. They debated representation and power distribution between large and small states, balancing a stronger national government with state rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who ratified the U.S. Constitution, known as the Framers, asserted that they represented the American people, and they claimed the basis or authority for their representation from the consent of the governed. This was rooted in a republican framework where representation was mediated by elected individuals, as this was seen as aligning with the principles of the Declaration of Independence.
At the Constitutional Convention, there were significant debates about representation, specifically over representation of large states versus small states. The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, while the New Jersey Plan championed equal representation for states regardless of size. This led to the creation of a bicameral Congress, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for every state, known as the Great Compromise.
Regarding authority, the Constitution's Framers felt the need to balance the desire for a strong national government against the risk of government abuse and issues like slavery. They sought to create a framework that guaranteed basic political rights while also protecting against unrest. Ultimately, the Constitution was ratified by enough states to establish the new government in 1789, embodying the negotiated powers and representative structure that were fiercely debated at the Convention.