1.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.

-In my opinion I believe the capitalist or extremely wealthy class such as property owners, businesspeople, and powerful professionals wrote the Constitution to defend their interest and authority. I believe the working class or the poor were excluded from the process of building the Constitution. For example woman during this time had no right to vote or a slave not being recognized as a human being. The capitalist class had to be well educated and rich for them to create the constitution because during that time the people that were well educated were the rich.

2. Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.

-I would say that social class structure of early United States society is little different from what we have today is because during that time the the class was either rich or poor. The rich being slave and property owner and poor being the slaves and low income people. Nowadays we have upper class, upper middle class, middle class, working class and the poor.

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 is afraid of democracy because they believe if the working class rose up and fought back they will overthrow them which doesn’t go with their interest.

1.The Constitution was written by the wealthy, landowners, merchants, lawyers, and other professionals. These people, such as George Washington, James Madison, and other valuable people, were financially stable, well educated, and held an important political role. The social class that was forced to be kept out from participating in the process was the working class, poor farmers, unfree people, enslaved people, women, and Native Americans.These  groups that were kept out had no rights or a good representation in the making of the Constitution. In the early years, the only ones who could vote were the white property men owners, leaving poor people, both white and black women, Black individuals, and Native Americans. These groups were purposely taken off from the whole political process, with the wealthy rich people making sure that power and political decisions were always in their control.

2.The social class structure of early U.S. society was much harder than today. Back then,as I said previously, only property owning white men had political power, while women, enslaved people, Native Americans, and the poor were excluded. Today, all voting rights and political participation is at its best than ever before as it’s open to all citizens, gender, race, or any specific property owners won’t be affected , however economic and social variabilities still exist. So, while there still are different types of altercations, the system currently is far more inclusive now than it was in the past.

3.The people who wrote the Constitution were actually very scared of democracy because they were from the wealthy and thought of losing their power because of it. They were worried that if the general population, the poor, enslaved people, and women, had more political influence, it could change how they have control of their status. They believed that only the educated, property owner men could have the responsibility to make decisions, and direct democracy could lead to unbalance or mob rule.

1. The Constitution was written by the wealthy elite, such as landowners, merchants, and influential professionals. These individuals were focused on protecting their power and interests. They were educated and financially stable, with people like George Washington. On the other hand, poor people, women, and enslaved individuals were excluded from the process. They didn’t have political rights or representation. These groups were intentionally left out, as the wealthy elite wanted to keep power in their hands. For example, women couldn’t vote, and enslaved people were not considered citizens.

2.The social class system in early America was different from today. Back then, the class system had more of a clear divide between the wealthy elite and everyone else. Most people, especially the poor, had little chance to improve their social status. Racial inequalities also played a huge role, as enslaved Africans and Indigenous people had no political or economic rights.Today, the social class system is more flexible. There are more opportunities for education and career growth, although there are still significant wealth gaps and unequal opportunities. So, while class differences still exist, they are not as fixed as they were in the 18th century.

3. The people who wrote the Constitution were afraid of democracy because they didn’t want the common people to have too much influence. They were worried that the lower classes might make decisions that could destabilize the country or harm their own wealth and property. For example, they feared that groups like farmers or debtors might push for policies that would disrupt the existing economic system.Since the framers were part of the wealthy elite, they believed that only educated and property-owning individuals should have real political power.

1. The Constitution was written by the wealthy owning-class; landowners, slave owners, and those who had strong political influence. Michael Parenti stated, “in most states, only property-owning white males could vote.” This shows how the working-class were excluded from having a voice in the government. All the while, a great amount of the society were excluded from this proceeding; “small farmers, indentured servants, enslaved people, women of all races, and Native Americans.” According to Charles Beard, these groups of people were “…disenfranchised and subjected to the discriminations of the common law. These groups were, therefore, not represented in the Convention which drafted the Constitution. This illustrates that there was no representation for the disenfranchised and they faced discrimination.
   
2. Our society has advanced in a lot of ways, however, economic disparities and elitist political influence remain just as significant as it was in early America. In the early days of the United States, those who were wealthy and owned land or businesses had a voice within the government. The system was founded on the relation with money and political influence. Regular citizens had little to no influence within the government. Although a lot more democratic processes exist today, wealth and political power are still concentrated within the hands of a small percentage of the population. They also use things like lobbying and campaign  donations, to help them push their agenda and protect their personal/financial interest. Even though, it seems more rights have been given to the people and we have advanced as a society, the rich still influence the decisions of our government. 
   
3. The framers were afraid that if the working class citizens had too much power, they would pass laws that challenged the wealth and property of the elite. To avoid this, they made a system where elected officials make important decisions.

1- The Constitution was written by wealthy, landowning elites, including merchants, plantation owners, and lawyers. These men, like George Washington and James Madison, had money, property, and political influence, in the early United States, only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. If you were poor, a woman, Black, or Native American, you couldn’t vote. The idea was that only wealthy landowners had enough “knowledge and responsibility” to make political decisions. The working class, poor farmers, indentured servants, enslaved people, women, and Native Americans were excluded from the process. They had no say in the government and were not allowed to participate in writing or approving the Constitution, Wealthy landowners and merchants were a small group, but they had most of the political power.

2- The basic structure of early U.S. society the same as today is similar, but the details have changed. In early America, wealthy white landowners controlled the government, and poor people had little power. Today, rich elites still hold most political influence, but more people have the right to vote and participate. However, economic inequality still exists. Just like in the past, corporations and the wealthy use money to influence politics, while the working class struggles to have their voices heard. for example, in early America, wealthy white landowners-controlled politics, while poor farmers and laborers had little power. Today, more people can vote, but the wealthy still hold the most influence. Corporations and billionaires use money to shape policies that benefit them, while the working class struggles to have their interests represented.

3- The people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy because the rich landowners and merchants feared that true democracy would give power to poor people, who might vote for laws that taxed the rich, redistributed land, or regulated businesses. they wanted to protect their wealth by creating a government that limited the power of ordinary people. This is why they designed systems like the Electoral College and the Senate, which gave more control to the upper class.

1. Which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in this process?
The social class that crafted the Constitution consisted predominantly of rich, land-owning elites—those with economic and political influence. As per Charles Beard in An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States, the framers were men with personal and economic interests. They were mostly rich merchants, big planters, and slave masters. For instance, the majority of of the southern delegates were plantation owners on a large scale who wished to maintain their financial interests, including slavery as an institution. Similarly, merchants and city elites in the northern states were represented because they wished for more secure commercial controls. Lawmakers were more interested in their own economic interests being protected by the Constitution which would prevent potential instability caused by debtor-relief policies or movements for equality endangering their fortunes.

Conversely, the disfranchised, were the white men with no property or land, slaves, women, and, to some extent, the working class. Most of the poor white men were disfranchised due to limited property qualifications and could not vote or hold office. In some states, disqualification on the basis of some property requirements deprived a large majority of the adult male population to be politically active. Enslaved people, who were a vital part of the southern economy, were also excluded from the process. In addition to this exclusion, the Constitution counted them as only three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation, withholding from them any meaningful political voice. Women where subjected to misogyny and discrimination which led to them having no representation whatsoever in the Constitutional Convention. Legal and social systems of the time limited women’s rights and ensured that their interests were not taken into account when the Constitution was drafted. The Constitution was framed to maintain the dominance of individuals who owned property and wealth and to establish an elite-governed system.

2. Would you say that the social class structure of early United States society was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.
There is a stark distinction between the social class structures present in Early America and the ones present now. The main difference has to be that in the past, political participation had been restricted to wealthy elites and landlords only whereas now, citizens, irrespective of their gender, color and ethnicity can be involved. Mechanisms like the electoral system and Constitution were designed by people who owned property or are rich enough while disenfranchising women, slaves, white males with no property, people from working class, so that the interests of the rich can be protected. Conversely, in modern American society, voting rights are for every citizen and it does not discriminate between the rich or poor. However, there is still definitely socioeconomic disparities arising from income inequality with the wealthier group of people having disproportionate power over politics in terms of lobbying and campaign contributions.

3. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy?
The framers of the Constitution resented democracy because they were afraid that it would serve power and shift control from the wealthy elites to the lower class—those who do not own property. As Charles Beard elaborates, the Constitution was written by those who wanted to protect the interests of the property-holding class. They especially renounced the menace of insurrections or “mob rule” under which the disfranchised, and above all the debtor class and working poor, would be able to make demands on policy that assailed the economic order. Madison, for instance, in Federalist #10 worried about “factions” or groups which might act on their own interest to the harm of the public good and were generally driven by economic distress or class grievances.

In early America, the fear of democracy existed because elites were afraid the commoners would seek to redistribute money, or pass debtor-relief legislation that would harm the economic interests of the elites. Shays’ Rebellion, in which Massachusetts farmers protested paying taxes and debt collectors, was a demonstrated example of this threat. The framers were also concerned that these uprisings would destabilize the nation, and therefore designed a system intended to keep the power of the masses under control by mechanisms like the Electoral College and an indirectly elected Senate by state legislatures rather than by popular elections.

1) According to Michael Parenti in “Class Power in Early America,” and Charles Beard in “An Economic Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution,” the Constitution was primarily written by the wealthy elite landowners, merchants, and creditors who represented the propertied class. These were men who had economic power and were motivated by protecting their property and wealth. Beard argues that the framers designed the Constitution to protect their own economic interests, ensuring a government that favored property rights over broader democratic participation.

The class that was excluded from this process included poor farmers, laborers, enslaved people, Native Americans, women, and anyone who didn’t own property. These groups had no political voice or influence in drafting the Constitution. Both Parenti and Beard emphasize that this exclusion wasn’t accidental the framers intentionally created a system that protected the wealthy and limited participation to propertied white men.

2) I would say there are similarities, even if things have changed on the surface. In early U.S. society, power and influence were concentrated in the hands of the wealthy elite, as Parenti and Beard point out. Today, while more people can vote and run for office, economic inequality still plays a major role in who holds political power. Wealthy corporations, lobbyists, and the super-rich often have disproportionate influence over government decisions just like the elite class did in the 18th century. So while the makeup of society is more diverse today, economic class divisions and power imbalances are still a major issue.

3) The framers were afraid of democracy because they associated it with what they called the “mob” ordinary people who, if given too much power, might vote to redistribute wealth or challenge the property rights of the elite. Beard and Parenti both highlight how the wealthy class feared uprisings like Shays’ Rebellion, where indebted farmers demanded economic relief. To them, democracy meant instability and a potential threat to their wealth and status. That’s why they created a system with checks and balances, limited suffrage, and protections for property owners to guard against too much popular influence over government.

1. The Constitution was primarily crafted by members of the upper class, including wealthy landowners, merchants, and individuals with significant economic interests. These were people who owned large amounts of property, had investments in manufacturing and shipping, and held personal securities. They had the resources and influence to shape the new government to protect their interests. In contrast, the lower class, which included small farmers, laborers, and those without substantial property, were excluded from this process. They did not have the same level of wealth or political power, and thus their voices were not represented in the creation of the Constitution. This exclusion meant that the concerns and needs of the lower class were largely overlooked in favor of protecting the interests of the wealthy.

2. The social class structure in early United States society was quite rigid, with a clear divide between the wealthy elite and the lower classes. Wealth and property ownership were major determinants of one’s social standing and political influence. Today, while we still have social classes, there is more fluidity and opportunity for movement between them. Modern society offers more avenues for education, entrepreneurship, and career advancement, allowing individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to improve their status. However, inequalities persist, and the gap between the rich and poor remains a significant issue. The class structure has evolved, but some fundamental disparities continue to exist.

3. The framers of the Constitution were apprehensive about democracy because they feared that widespread participation by the lower classes could threaten their economic and social dominance. They were concerned that if everyone, especially those without property, had an equal say in government decisions, it might lead to policies that would undermine their wealth and control. The wealthy elites wanted to ensure stability and protect their interests, so they designed a system that limited direct democratic involvement and maintained their influence. This fear of democracy was rooted in the desire to prevent any upheaval that could arise from giving too much power to the masses, who might push for changes that would disrupt the established order and economic advantages enjoyed by the upper class

Michael Parenti in “Class Power in Early America” and Charles Beard in “An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution” both suggest that the U.S. Constitution was mainly created by the wealthy elite of the nation. They explain that the people who wrote the Constitution were rich property owners, like lawyers, merchants, and plantation owners, who had a lot of economic power. This power allowed them to have a strong say in politics, and they made sure the Constitution protected their financial interests and kept them in control of society. On the other hand, many groups, especially those without property, were left out of the process. This included small farmers, laborers, and particularly marginalized groups like enslaved individuals, women, and Native Americans. Because they lacked money and political influence, these groups were not only shut out from participating in the creation of the Constitution but also ended up with a political system that favored the wealthy elite. Overall, both authors highlight a significant divide in society: the Constitution was made by the rich for the rich, while ignoring the needs and rights of the majority.

The class system in early American society was quite different from what we see today, even though some inequalities still exist. In the early United States, a small group of wealthy landowners, merchants, and professionals held most of the power. This elite class created rules that mainly benefited themselves and kept others from having a say in politics. Many groups, including women, enslaved individuals, Native Americans, and white men without property, were mostly left out of political and economic life. The economy back then was mainly based on farming, and owning land was the main way to show wealth and status. In contrast, today’s United States has made significant strides in political rights. Now, everyone can vote regardless of their property, race, or gender, even though economic inequality still exists. The economy has also become much more complicated, with a mix of wealthy individuals, a large middle class, and various working-class groups. Power dynamics have shifted to include global companies and technology, which is a big change from the farming focus of early America. While there are still challenges with social and economic inequality, modern laws and institutions offer more chances for people to move up in society and participate in government, which is a big difference from the strict and exclusive systems of the past.

The creators of the Constitution were cautious about direct democracy because they worried that it could lead to chaos and threaten their wealth and property. One major reason for their concerns was the protection of their economic interests. Many of them were rich landowners and businesspeople who relied on stable property rights and a certain social order. They feared that if the majority had too much power, they might push for changes that could take away their wealth. Additionally, they were influenced by historical events where popular uprisings turned violent, leading them to believe that unchecked democracy could result in mob rule. They thought that the emotions of the crowd could lead to disorder or even tyranny. Furthermore, many of the framers doubted that the average person had the knowledge or education to make wise decisions for the country’s future. They believed that a representative system would help filter out hasty or unwise choices. To address these concerns, they created a system of checks and balances to ensure that no single group could control the government, thus maintaining the existing economic and social order. Scholars like Michael Parenti and Charles Beard argue that these fears were crucial in shaping the framers’ views, showing that the Constitution was designed to prioritize the interests of the wealthy while limiting the influence of the general public in government decisions.