Why it was important to the writers of the constitution that the powers of government were divided between the federal and state governments?

Answer 1

The purpose of dividing power between the federal government and the state governments is to protect the rights of the people and to prevent any government from becoming too powerful.Federalism and the federal system define the basic structure of American government. There were many disagreements at the Constitutional Convention. Many delegates feared a national government that was too strong and many delegates feared that states' rights would merely continue the weak form of government under the Articles. The Constitution created a federal system of government (federalism) as a compromise. Under federalism, power is shared and divided between national and state governments. Each has specific powers unto themselves while they also share certain powers. Both levels have their own agencies and officials and directly affect the people. The Founding Fathers really had no other choice except federalism. The weak union created under the Articles would not work yet people did not want to give all the power to a national government. Federalism was the middle ground--compromise--a way to distribute authority between the states and the national government.

Answer 2

Because when each individual state was given too much power, the Civil War began.