The major agreement and compromises that were mainly discussed in the US constitution were the issue of slavery, and the content of the legislature. The people who were at the convention were concerned about slavery in America. This was to be agreed between the Northern and the Southern delegates. The Southern delegates wanted slavery to continue, so that their economy could be boosted, but the Northern delegates wanted the end of black slavery (Henretta, Brody, & Dumenil, 2007).
The Northern delegates were against this slavery not because they were caring for black people, but because they feared the increment of black people population in Southern part. This was regarded as a complicated agreement although at the end both sides came into agreement. In January 1808, the slave trade was officially terminated in the United States constitution.
There was another major agreement that was to be made about the legislation. Hamilton plan was considered being the most appropriate. Other men in the convention accepted the features in his plan. It was agreed to have a bicameral legislation in the constitution that is both the lower and the upper house (Jesup, 2009).
The lower house would be the assembly that would be elected by people, and the other one the senate offering lifetime services. The senate would be made of two senators, each representing one state. The venues and times of conducting elections of government officials were agreed upon in the constitution. The house membership, rules and regulations to be adhered to were also included in the constitution.
The process of legislation and revenue bills were stated clearly in this constitution and agreed upon. Both the powers of the congress and his limitations on duties were deeply discussed and the final solutions were written down. It was also agreed that different states would be denied some powers like entering into a treaty concerning sensitive matters (Henretta, Brody, & Dumenil, 2007).
The powers and responsibilities of the president and his vice were agreed upon. For instance, it was agreed that both the president and his vice should serve in their offices for a period of four years. Any conviction of high crimes like treason was decided to be the major reason behind disqualification of high government officials including the president.
The constitution also stated clearly about the bill of rights. The first amendment was the freedom of religion and press (Jesup, 2009). This consisted of the freedom of people to peacefully assemble, and respect of religion beliefs. Second amendment was the right to bear arms to the militia people due to security purposes of the nation. The third amendment was about quartering of soldiers, which stated that no soldier should be quartered when the nation is in peace without the knowledge of the house owner.
The fourth amendment was on search and Seizure stating that people should be offered security outside and inside their houses. People should also be protected against unreasonable searches (Jesup, 2009).
The Fifth Amendment is about the trial and punishment that any person has a right to refuse to be held answerable for a crime if there is no accusation of a grand jury. The sixth amendment is about the right of people to speed up their trials and confrontation of witnesses. Other rights that were agreed upon include removal of cruel and unusual punishment and the right on construction of constitution.
Reference List
Henretta, J. A., Brody, D., & Dumenil, L. (2007). Americas History: Volume 1: to 1877. (6th ed), ISBN 0312452853, Bedford Books, New York.
Jesup, F. (2009). The American Constitution. ISBN1110562799, 9781110562794, BiblioLife, Boston.