1. Which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in the process?
The framers of the U.S. Consitution were predominantly members of the upper class-wealthy landowners, merchants, and other elites who had economic and political influence. As Charles Beard argues in An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States, these framers were deeply invested in protecting their personal and financial interests. Many were large-scale plantations owners, particularly from the South, who sought to safeguard slavery and the economic system that depended on it. Similarly, Northern merchants were also represented, as they were interested in establishing a stable commercial framework that would protect their financial interests. Overall, the Constitutional Convention was driven by the elite class, whose goal was to create a government that would secure their wealth, prevent instability, and block movements such as debtor relief or calls for greater equality.
On the other hand, those excluded from this process were the vast majority the population-particularly poor white men, women, enslaved people, and people from working-class backgrounds. Many white men were denied political participation due to property requirements for voting and holding office, which disenfranchised large segments of the population. Slaves, despite being crucial to the Southern economy, were completely excluded from the political process. Additionally, they were counted as only three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation in Congress, but their lack of political voice remained clear. Women were also entirely excluded from the Constitutional Convention, as the legal and social systems of the time denied them political representation and rights. Thus, the framers of the Constitution crafted a system that preserved the dominance of wealthy elites while systematically excluding large portions of the population from meaningful political participation.
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 was quite different from the structure we see today, although certain disparities remain. In the early years of the nation, the political and social system was designed primarily to protect the interests of the wealthy, land-owning elite. Only those with property or significant economic influence had access to political power. The majority of the population-enslaved people, women, poor white men, and the working class-were excluded from meaningful participation in governance. Political systems, including voting rights and eligibility for office, were explicitly designed to keep power in the hands of a small, elite class.
In contrast, modern U.S. society operates under a framework that is theoretically more inclusive. Voting rights have expanded to include all adults citizens, regardless of gender, race, or economic status. The modern democratic system is designed to provide all citizens with the ability to participate in elections and influence govern decisions. However, while political participation is now open to all, significant socioeconomic disparities still exist. Wealth and income inequality persist, and wealthy often have disproportionate influence through mechanisms such as lobbying, political donations, and access to policymaking. So while the legal and formal structure has become more inclusive, social and economic disparities still shape the political landscape in ways that reflect the power dynamics of early America.
3. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy?
The framers of the Constitution were deeply wary of democracy because they feared that an increase in popular participation would lead to the erosion of their own power and wealth. As Charles Beard highlights, the framers were largely motivated by self-interest and wanted to create a government that would protect the economic interests of the property-holding elites. They believed that too much direct democracy could allow the lower classes-those without property-to disrupt the existing economic system. This fear of “mob rule” was rooted in the belief that the working class and debtors might push for policies that would undermine the financial stability of the elite class, such as debt relief or the redistribution of wealth.
The fear of democracy was exacerbated by by events like Shays’ Rebellion, in which impoverished farmers in Massachusetts rose up against the state government to protest high taxes and debt collection practices. The framers viewed such uprisings as a direct threat to their control over the political and economic system. James Madison, in Federalist No. 10, expressed concern about the potential for factions-groups driven by economic distress or class grievances-to undermine the public good. To mitigate this, the framers designed the Constitution to limit the power of the masses, introducing mechanisms like the Electoral College and an indirectly elected Senate. These systems were intended to act as checks on the influence of the common people and ensure that political power remained largely in the hands of the elites.
