- Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2, which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in this process? In your comment, make sure you clearly specify the difference between the two classes by giving examples from the readings.
Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2, the social class that wrote the Constitution was the upper-class white males, or “gentlemen,” who were made up of wealthy landowners, merchants, and bankers. Native Americans, persons of African descent, women, slaves, indentured servants, and White males lacking sufficient property and working class were excluded from the process of writing the Constitution.
2. Would you say that the social class structure of early United States society was the same as ours today or different? Explain.
The social class structure of early United States society is like that of today’s society with some differences. The differences between then and now are that slavery has been abolished, women, Native Americans, and people of African descent have rights and are able to be a part of the government, and you don’t have to own property to rub or be appointed to any branch of government. However, it is still similar when it comes to the wealthy upper-class funding most aspects of the government and using it to their benefit.
3. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy? Hint: think about how to answer this question by discussing it in terms of social classes.
The people who wrote the Constitution were afraid of democracy because they believed if ruled by the common people, the rich would lose power. According to Alexander Hamilton, the social classes have divided themselves into the “few and the many,” those that are rich, and the other is the mass of people who are not. If a democracy were made, everyone would be able to vote, and it was likely that the upper classes would lose on many issues because those who were rich were fewer than the masses. Framers also worried about who would be able to come to power if the poor and uneducated participated in their local governments.
