Creating a Leader

The passage explains how the Founding Fathers debated the creation of the presidency at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Before the Constitution, the U.S. had no president under the Articles of Confederation, which caused problems in enforcing laws and handling emergencies. Leaders debated issues like how a president should be chosen, how long they should serve, and what powers they should hold. The Founders wanted to prevent a president from becoming too powerful, like a king, while still creating a strong executive branch. Their final system of checks and balances has guided the U.S. government for over 200 years.

Reading passages like this help students expand their vocabulary with words such as “convention,” “confederation,” and “balances.” They practice comprehension skills by following how debates led to decisions. Students also strengthen their critical thinking by comparing the pros and cons of presidential power. Analyzing how historical figures solved problems develops the ability to see multiple perspectives. Finally, reading structured texts like this improves grammar awareness through exposure to clear, formal writing.