Why was a federal system chosen for the United States?

A federal system was chosen for the United States primarily to balance state differences with national unity. This approach allows for a distribution of power between the national and state governments, enabling local governance that can address regional needs while still maintaining a cohesive national framework.

The framers of the Constitution recognized the diverse interests and cultural differences across various states. By implementing a federal system, they aimed to ensure that individual states retained some degree of autonomy and could cater to their specific circumstances and populations while also being united under a central government that could manage issues affecting the nation as a whole, such as defense, foreign policy, and trade.

This balance sought to prevent the tyranny that could arise from a singular centralized authority and also addressed the concerns of smaller states, which feared being overshadowed by larger ones. Ultimately, this federal structure has allowed the United States to embrace its regional diversity while fostering a unified national identity.