1. The Constitution was written primarily by the upper class, including wealthy landowners and merchants. This group, often called the “gentlemen,” included men like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. In contrast, the social classes excluded from the process included poor farmers, enslaved people, indentured servants, and women. Basically those without property who couldn’t participate in politics.
  2. The social class structure of early America was different from today’s structure. Back then, it was mostly divided between rich landowners and poor, disenfranchised individuals. Today, we have more classes, such as the middle class, and more people can vote and participate, regardless of their wealth.
  3. The framers of the Constitution feared democracy because they believed that the majority of people (especially the poor) could threaten their wealth and property. They worried that if everyone could vote, they might end up losing their money or power, which is why they designed a government that limited the influence of the lower classes.

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