What concerns were raised during the Constitutional Convention related to the executive branch, and how did the founders ultimately resolve those concerns?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There was no provision for an executive under the Articles of Confederation. Due to the desire to create a stronger central government after the Articles had proven ineffectual, the founders felt an executive branch was necessary. A key fear was that the creation of an executive would lead to the reestablishment of a tyrannical system similar to that which they had escaped during the Revolution. Other questions such as whether the executive should be a single person or multiple people, how often they could run for re-election, and how they would be elected were also raised. Responses should address the viewpoints of delegates on both sides of each of these questions. Article II of the Constitution created the executive branch. The founders ultimately chose to create a single executive who would be eligible for an unlimited number of four-year terms. Regarding the election of the president, the founders created an intermediary body called the Electoral College. Through this system, citizens do not vote directly for the candidates, but for electors who cast their votes for the candidates about six weeks after the general election. The founders believed that this procedure would ensure a president elected by well-informed delegates who, having no other lawmaking power, could not be bribed or otherwise influenced by candidates.