Final answer:
The founding fathers wanted the legislative branch to be the most powerful branch of the federal government, as it was endowed with significant responsibilities like law-making and checking the other branches, reflective of the balance and strong national government they aimed for.
Step-by-step explanation:
The founding fathers structured the federal government through the principle of separation of powers, aiming for a balance to ensure that no single branch became overly dominant. However, when they drafted the Constitution, they intended to make the legislative branch, which is responsible for making laws, the most powerful. This is evidenced by both the significant responsibilities assigned to Congress, the body that constitutes the legislative branch, and the historical context of the time, as they sought to create a strong national government capable of maintaining national defense, imposing taxes, and ensuring the nation's survival while also maintaining the sovereignty of the states.
The legislative branch was designed to be the most powerful because the delegates at the Constitutional Convention recognized the failure of previous unicameral structures and believed a strong bicameral legislature was necessary. Moreover, they envisioned a federal government that could legislate for the states in a variety of areas, including defense and taxation, and even have the power to veto state legislature laws. The framers' intention to balance power is also reflected in the system of checks and balances they incorporated, with no branch being superior to the others.