- 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.
According to the readings 6.1 and 6.2 the social class who wrote the Constitution were the elite class—white male who were wealthy landowners, merchants, and politicians who aimed to protect their interests. The lower class was excluded. These were the nonwhites, poor farmers, women, enslaved people (slaves and indentured servants). They didn’t have political rights and wealth, and they were not represented properly. Many men were disenfranchised due to property requirements, and women, nonwhites and enslaved people (slaves and indentured servants) didn’t have voting rights at all.
2. Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.
In my opinion, the social class structure of early American society was very different from today class structure. Many individuals, such as enslaved people (slaves and indentured servants), women, and men without property, were legally excluded from voting and didn’t have political representation. The elite class was mostly composed of wealthy landowners and merchants, and today’s structure has layers like the upper, middle, and working classes. Additionally, today there is much more awareness for social justice, which almost did not exist in early America.
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 of the Constitution (mostly wealthy and influential white men) were afraid of democracy because they thought the masses (especially the poor) would threaten their property and economic interests by challenging their authority and rebel against them. The founding fathers wished to create a government that is democratic is also protected against uncontrolled majority power.