Final answer:
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, four major issues were addressed: state representation, resolved by the Great Compromise; slavery, addressed by the Three-Fifths Compromise; taxation of trade, where imports could be taxed; and the election of the executive, leading to the creation of the Electoral College.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 addressed several critical issues facing the new nation. The delegates sought to increase the power of the national government while balancing the interests of large and small states, as well as addressing the contentious topics of slavery and trade.
Representative Government and the Great Compromise
One major concern was how states should be represented in Congress. Ultimately, the Great Compromise was agreed upon, creating a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise
Slavery was another contentious issue. The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes. This decision was controversial as it granted disproportionate political power to slave-owning states without granting rights to the slaves themselves.
Taxation and Regulation of Commerce
Disputes over taxation and commerce led to compromises wherein Congress was given the power to tax imports but not exports.
Election of the Executive
How to elect the President was also debated. The Electoral College system was established as a compromise between election by Congress and direct election by the populace.
These key issues and their resolutions were part of the intense debates and compromises that resulted in the framing of the United States Constitution.