Why did the Framers of the Constitution favor a bicameral legislature?

The Framers of the Constitution favored a bicameral legislature primarily to ensure that one house could check the other. This system reflects their understanding of the need for a balance of power within the legislative branch. By creating two separate chambers—the House of Representatives and the Senate—they aimed to prevent any single group from gaining too much power or authority over the legislative process. Each chamber can introduce, debate, and vote on legislation, and the requirement for both to agree on a bill helps to facilitate careful deliberation and compromise.

This check-and-balance mechanism was in line with the Framers' concerns about factionalism and the potential for tyranny of the majority. By having two houses with different terms, sizes, and constituencies, they encouraged a system that would be more representative of the diverse interests of the nation while also promoting stability and thoroughness in law-making. The bicameral structure is thus an essential safeguard against hasty and potentially harmful legislation, ensuring a more deliberative approach to governance.