Melissa Boatswain
POL -100
Self-Assessment Exercise 6.1
- In early America, what was required for someone to be able to vote?
In early America, voting was typically restricted to white male property owners. This
requirement ensured that only those who had a stake in the economic and political system
could participate in governance. Additionally, many states imposed restrictions based on
race, religion, and tax status, further limiting the electorate to a specific demographic. - Which social class did most people belong to in early America?
Most people in early America belonged to the lower or middle class, primarily consisting
of small farmers, laborers, and artisans. A small but influential upper class, composed of
wealthy landowners and merchants, held significant power and influence over political
and economic matters, while the majority of the population had limited political rights
and economic opportunities. - What was Madison’s goal in writing “Federalist #10”?
Madison’s goal in writing “Federalist #10” was to address the issue of factions and to
argue for the advantages of a strong, unified republic over a pure democracy. He sought
to demonstrate how a large republic could control the negative effects of factions by
diluting their influence and promoting a system of representation that could better reflect
the diverse interests of the population. - Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy?
The framers of the Constitution were afraid of democracy primarily because they
believed that the direct participation of all citizens in governance could lead to mob rule and
the tyranny of the majority. They feared that pure democracy could result in factions
gaining power and pursuing their own interests at the expense of the rights and welfare of
others. This concern stemmed from their understanding of social class dynamics, as they
recognized that the interests of the wealthy elite could be threatened by the majority’s
demands.
- What were some of the reasons why the Constitution never abolished the slave
trade?
The Constitution never abolished the slave trade for several reasons, including:
o Economic Interests: Many southern states relied heavily on the slave trade for
their agricultural economies, particularly for the production of cash crops like
tobacco and cotton. Abolishing the trade would have threatened their economic
viability.
o Compromise and Unity: In order to achieve ratification and maintain the unity
of the states, the framers made compromises on contentious issues like slavery.
They sought to create a functional government and avoid alienating southern
states.
Political Power: The southern states recognized the political power they gained
through the institution of slavery and the associated representation in Congress.
Abolishing the slave trade would have diminished their influence in the federal
government.
