Senate Essay -- American History, The Confederation Congress

The Confederation Congress was plagued with problems, as the causation colonies struggled to form a interior(a) identity. The lack of permanent physical fix and united field government, led to problems of inaction, following the Revolutionary war. Congresss lack of power and frequent inability to act (often due to a lack of quorum or the need for a supermajority for certain decisions) demanded reform (Wirls, p. 58). The founders concur on the need for reform, opposing groups argued about the nature. Federalists argued for a strong subject field government, with few representatives, removed the day to day local political affairs. They craved a group of political elites, free to make decisions based on national interests. In order to promote an independent nature inwardly the senate, Federalists advocated long terms, some advocating lifetime appointments. The anti-Federalists rejected the idea of permanent elite, preferably promoting large numbers of representati ves, with small groups of political constituents. Rather than the crme de la crme of society, anti-Federalists envisioned a kaleidoscope representatives would personally reflect the interests of constituents. During the final native plan for the U.S. Senate, a compromise was reached anti-Federalist views were incorporated through the equal tryst and appointment by states, Federalists insured independence in the senate by instituting staggered half a dozen year terms. Compromise between the Federalist and anti-Federalist was reached through a series of decisions, in no small part assisted by the fact that those against fortify the Federal government were not present, the formidable talents who were opposed to the project of fortifying the... ...emate concerning the national congress. With the rights of small states protected through equal representation in the senate, the conference was able to move forward in forming a strong national government with responsibilities an d rights separate from the states. Federalists were able to protect the independence of the senate, through staggered sextette year terms and more stringent eligibility requirements than those for the House of Representatives. The eventual physical composition of a separate national capital insured the two physically as well as psychologically desired independence of the senate and congress. The members of both sides present shared a mutual understanding of the need for a senate in a stronger national system. The decisions which lead to the compromise resulted in the establishment of a senate which included both Federalist and anti-Federalist views.