Final answer:
The major challenge at the Constitutional Convention was balancing the power between establishing a strong national government and preserving the autonomy of the states. Debates surrounded the capabilities of the federal system, representation, taxation, and the controversial issue of slavery, leading to the creation of a new U.S. Constitution. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Challenges at the Constitutional Convention
The major challenge the founding fathers faced during the Constitutional Convention was how to establish a strong national government without making the states too weak. This issue was manifested in a range of debates about the balance of power between the federal system and the state governments. One significant concern was the risk of an overly authoritative central government that might infringe on the freedoms fought for during the Revolutionary War, as expressed by figures like Virginia's Patrick Henry.
Delegates were divided over how robust the central government should be and how Americans' interests would be federally represented. The Articles of Confederation presented obstacles to a unified national government, mainly due to its inability to impose taxes and regulate interstate commerce effectively. Additionally, there was contention regarding the Consent of the Governed and the election process of the President.
In the backdrop of these debates was the looming issue of slavery, which contributed to the complexities of representation and taxation. While the primary goal was to refine the existing Articles of Confederation, the outcome was the drafting of an entirely new Constitution that aimed to strengthen the national government while still preserving state sovereignty.