Final answer:
The framers of the Constitution believed that existing local governments were sufficient for most matters and designed a federal system to balance power between the national and state governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Constitution was developed, the framers thought that the existing local governments Were sufficient for most matters(c). This was a practical solution to the needs of both the nation and the states because by the time the Constitution was drafted, transportation and communication systems were undeveloped, making it necessary to leave the bulk of governmental control at the state and local level.
The framers designed a federal system, where the states were given a host of powers independent of the national government. This included the power to establish local governments, ensuring states had sovereignty over various local jurisdictions. Furthermore, states were given the power to ratify amendments to the Constitution, highlighting the federal nature of the government which balanced power between the national and the state levels.
Despite the increase in federal power, the framers were conscious of maintaining a balance, creating a system with separation of powers and checks and balances. The new Constitution also provided for a blend between national and federal characteristics, integrating the principle of federalism into the document. Ultimately, the framers of the Constitution settled on federalism as a means of power sharing.