what was the most important reason for establishing a strong central government under the constitution?
474659
I would think it'd be the Balance of Powers between the three branches of government.\n\n[EDIT]  Okay, I'm changing my answer - based only on a tiny paragraph I just read, but I think this is right:  a strong central government can protect the nation from external threats.  [National Defense]  \n\n(Rather than each state or small groups of states defending itself/themselves against outside nations (enemies), the central government joins its forces and protects the nation (all states) as a whole.)
1157602
creation of a central authority to deal in matters of law with a set of statues and laws as guide and the power to deal out judgements that are within the guidelines set up there in\n\nthis benefits people because it establishs a rule of law to protect everyone from the criminal and maliceous actions of others
65555
Federal government control vs. state's rights.  The North wanted a stronger federal government control, and the Southern states wanted to make their own laws.  Slavery was just one issue.
1110466
No central government under the Articles of Confederation. This meant no taxes could be levied to support an army or run vital operations without consent of state legislatures. Each state had its own exchange rate, since there was no regulation of inner-state commerce. There was also open rebellion like Shay's rebellion that had to be put down with limited resources. So in 1787 the founding fathers met in Philadelphia to draft the constitution under the guise of fixing the Articles of Confederation.\nThe constitution solved many issues, but left the issue of slavery and as the nation expanded this would lead to Civil War. Southerners wanted slavery to expand into Western lands and the compromise of 1850 allowed it. However in Kansas territory slave owners and abolitionists had a mini civil war, long before Fort Sumter. The other major issue in the nation was expansion because from the War of 1812 thru the Mexican War, all the winnings were in territory. Hawks in the country wanted the US to have Canada all the way to the Pacific. This is called manifest Destiny. Through conquest and purchases this was acheived excpt Canada was not conquered during the war of 1812. \nAnother major issue was overseas commerce because many nations did not respect American ships and attacked them. Barbary pirates and the British were two groups to have done this. In response to the Barbary Pirates the marines took Tripoli and it was the first time an American flag flew over a foreign capital.
233566
In short, because anything of significance required unanimous agreement, it was becoming unwieldy to act as a general government.  Two areas where this stood out.  One was acting as the singular contact with foreign sovereignties.  The other was in collecting funds from the States to pay for the general government.
878852
That's a long list.... instead of giving the answers, I'll give you a link to study.....\n\nBut to answer quickly....\n\nThe constitution was put into effect in 1789, it does serve the people by making "Expo Facto" laws illegal, provide postal service to all citizens and divides power among 3 branches of government just to name a few. It was made even more powerful for the people when the bill of rights (the first 10 amendments) was passed and the amendments were ratified.
1152586
I actually thought it was more Federalist/Republican, cause it gave much more big government rights than the Articles of Confederation, but I suppose it preserved and made lasting many democratic traditions (like House of Reps depending on population, voting for those in office--even though electoral college was made to protect the rich from the masses), and even though the men were very elite, they made every effort to give everybody equal rights, as long as they did not fear the danger (ie French Rev. memories) and gave the poor a chance to ascend to the top.
98659
It was envisioned to be a foundation of all laws.  \n\nEssentially, it gives the government specific powers and restrictions.  It delineated which branch of the government can do what.  But most importantly, it provides certain inalienable rights and freedoms for the people.  \n\nThe constitution is relatively short (compared to other countries).  That is actually by design.  The framers actually envisioned that it would change from time to time, that's why we have all these amendments.  \n\nThe constitution is also the supreme law of the land.  Any federal or state law contrary to it is invalid.  The Supreme Court gets the final say on whether any law is unconstitutional.
315608
When the framers decided to declare independence the only government that they had known was the oppressive monarchy of England.  When they set up the first government they wanted to get as far away from that structure as they could, which is why they created a very very weak central government, with most of the power vested in the states.  There was no central executive or judicial branches, and only a unicameral legislature, with essentially no power.  After they saw what a mess this created, with no regulation of commerce among the states; different currencies for different states; states discriminating against citizens of other states; and having nothing 'united' about the states at all; they realized that a change was necessary.  Experiencing these two extremes of the government, along with help from philosophers like Locke and Hobbes, showed them what a federal government had to have the power to do, but at the same time showed them what the federal government could not have the power to do.  It was the perfect 'happy medium' from the two far extreme possibilities.  There is no other way that the government could have remained essentially unchanged for the past 200+ years.
258295
I assume you are refering to the United States government? Keep in mind that not everyone on Answers is American.\n\nAt any rate, function is a bit too strong a word. However, the current federal system came into being with the radification of the constitution, which began in 1787 and was completed in 1790. The Constitution took effect in 1988 when it had been ratified by 9 of the 13 states. The new federal government began opperations in 1789.\n\nFrom 1777 to 1788, the federal government was defined by the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation remained in effect until the 13th state ratified the constitution in 1790. The government defined by the Articles was strickly speaking a federal system, but the federal government couldn't really do anything, so the systme didn't last very long.
294812
it stems from a time when there were very few educated people, and they needed a way to control the masses. It was essentially the first form of government.
783916
The constitution provides a legal foundation for our\nlaws and our cival discourse. Disputes and questions regarding\nall manner of civall and criminal conduct have a final\narbiture with the Supreme court and the federal and state courts.
14728
The authority of the Constitution was established after it was ratified by the (I believe it had to be 7 of the 13)Thirteen States. What isn't expressly given to the Federal Government is implied to go to the states.  The 3 branches had their own powers that check and balance each other out
1169260
Believe it or not, that was actually considered during the framing of the U.S. Constitution. Following the demise of the Articles of Confederation for having too weak of a central federal government, there was alot of argument that took place on this subject. Most notably, The Federalist Papers argued for this setup. The decision was made, I think wisely, that it was in the best interest of the US to have a strong central figure. The president should be the representative of the people an speak for the people. If you have two presidents, that authority is necessarily diminished.
208885
The framers of our Constitution created a strong federal government resting on the concept of "separation of powers."\n\nIn Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch is created by the following language: "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." \n\nArticle I, Section 5, of the Constitution provides that: "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, . . .."\n\nUpon this elegant, yet simple, grant of legislative powers and rulemaking authority has grown an exceedingly complex and evolving legislative process--much of it unique to each House of Congress. \n\nFor more detailed information on how our laws are made and for the text of the laws themselves, you should refer to government internet sites or pertinent House and Senate publications available from:\n\nThe Superintendent of Documents \nU.S. Government Printing Office \nWashington, D.C. 20402.\nU.S.A.
839073
Federalism goes back to the beginning of our country and the writing of the constitution.  From 1783 to 1789 the USA was a weak confederacy of 13 states with no real binding rules, law or govt to work for the country as  a whole.  If you go to Philly,in constitution hall, right next to the declaration and the constitution are the articles of confederation.  It was the argument of a Strong central federal Govt as opposed to Each state having autonomy.  Its actually what the civil war was all about the south claiming that each state had rights above what the federal govt in Washington could tell them.  The North claiming that without strong central govt there could be an anarchy of each state doing as it pleased and laws with no power as soon as you crossed a state line.  That's why Lincolns Gettysburg address is so famous it outlines the good of Govt,  of, for and by the people, and how the common good must sometimes super cede the wants of some of the people.  Recently tho federalism has come to mean opposition to strong central govt.  One of the most recent examples was Oregons passing a right to die law, struck down by the congress most of whom were GOP and pro-states rights.  Also gay marriage has become a states rights issue, but those on the side of states rights are opposed to gay marriage.  Its a complicated matter that has been dissected but not solved by the greats from Jefferson, Adams, Madison and Hamilton
1117396
It all started when the north won the civil war. Before there were states rights. Lincoln did away with them when he installed a "Centralized Government". Thomas Jefferson knew what would happen and it did. Lincoln wanter the federal government over all the states. Before the civil war...the states had the power. Lincoln had to declare martial law and take all the rights away from all citizens north and south. Since them the federal gives us rights as it sees fit. Before states had to give the power to the federal government. It made a big difference to the states both north and south. Lincoln was an atheist dictator thru out the civil war.