Final answer:
D. The legislative branch was expected by the Framers of the Constitution to be the most dominant branch of government, reflecting the historical significance of legislative bodies in the American colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Framers of the Constitution expected the legislative branch to be the most dominant branch of government. This belief is rooted in the history of American colonies and their respect for legislative bodies which held most of the power in the state governments. They were seen as the primary guardians of the people's liberties and as the key institution to govern the state. In contrast, in Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton characterized the judiciary as the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution. The General Court in Puritan colonies, which exemplified early colonial self-governance, served as the legislative branch. Over time, while the powers of the executive branch, especially during wartime, and the judicial branch, with its power of judicial review, have expanded, the original intent was to center most authority within the legislature.