Constitutional Convention Discussion Response

 Three important achievements of the Constitutional Convention include, the Connecticut Compromise, the establishment of limited national government through checks and balances, and the establishment of an independent judiciary. The Connecticut Compromise solved issues of representation for small and large states as the Virginia plan advocated for greater supremacy within the national government and a legislature that would ultimately give larger and more populated states control (McLellan, 2000). The New Jersey Plan included provisions that would put checks on the central power that was alarming to some in the Virginia plan; it would also not subject smaller states to subordination in representation in Congress. The Connecticut Compromise balanced the provisions of the two plans as states were given equal representation in the Senate (in fairness to smaller states), proportional representation in the House of Representatives in favor of larger, more populous states (McClellan, 2000), and minimized the federal power outlined in the Virginia Plan. The establishment of a limited national government through a system of checks and balances was also particularly important and arguably the most important achievement therein. The Articles of Confederation showed that certain executive functions could not operate properly when completely vested in the legislature and as they were particularly vulnerable to abuse and corruption. The primary goal of the Constitution was to protect individual liberty and in order to establish a national government that was to withstand pressures of corruption, checks on the legislature were needed through executive function (such as the veto) which were in turn checked by the legislatures functions (through impeachment). Finally, an establishment of an independent judiciary with certain checks from the legislature was another achievement from the convention. An independent judiciary helps secure impartiality in the administration of justice. Although the executive branches participates in appointment, Congress was given the authority to regulate the jurisdiction of the courts (McClellan, 2000).
In contrast to the separation advocated for in mainstream politics today, the Founding Fathers did not advocate for an incredibly high wall of separation between church and state through the language of the first amendment that states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The Founders understood this relationship as limiting the federal governments power to establish a religion. Only until 1947, in Everson v. Board of Education did the courts recognize this as applying to the states citing Jefferson and Madison’s  stricter views on this separation (Hall, 2019). However, interpreting the First Amendment strictly through the minds of just these two Founders discounts the vast influences that other Founders had on the drafting of that amendment. Furthermore, it exaggerates Jefferson’s position and ignores the promotion that Jefferson himself had of the Christian faith in his time as Governor of Virginia where he encouraged Virginians to set aside a day in worship and thanksgiving to God. 
According to Hall, our Founding Fathers primarily believed that it was the governmental authoritys duty to protect, promote and encourage religion and morality. In the late 18th century, many Northern States even had religious tests for office. Roger Sherman of Connecticut is particularly instrumental in demonstrating the founders understanding of this relationship. For example, his religious liberty bill influenced various statutes that advanced the Christian faith in Connecticut. Tax money supported churches and their ministries and Christian morals were promoted regarding issues of drunkenness, gambling, and adultery (Hall, 2019). Furthermore, town leaders were required to supply books for Christian formation to families in need including catechisms and the Holy Bible.  

 
Hall, M. D. (2019). Did America Have a Christian Founding?. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf]. Retrieved from                                        https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781400211111/

McClellan, J. (2000). Liberty, order, and justice: An introduction to the constitutional principles of American government. Liberty Fund.