Final answer:
The Founding Fathers required a "state of the union" address in the Constitution to ensure the President would keep Congress informed about the nation's status and needs, supporting the balance in the federal system between national and state powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Founding Fathers made the "state of the union" address a constitutional requirement because they wanted to ensure that the President would regularly inform Congress about the current condition of the nation and propose necessary courses of action. This was underlined by their larger aim to foster a strong union under a federalist system, where a delicate balance between state and national interests had to be maintained. The state of the union address, mentioned in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, provides the opportunity for the President to present an agenda to Congress and highlight the legislative needs of the country.
In the early years of the Republic, the Founding Fathers were primarily concerned with crafting a strong but flexible structure of government that could address both national and state interests and adapt to changing circumstances. This was reflected in their decision to make broad, adaptable rules within the Constitution. The provision for the state of the union address was one such adaptable tool for ensuring that the executive branch could directly communicate the country's status to the legislative branch, fostering transparency and action.