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.
   
   The U.S. Constitution was written by the elite landowning class, primarily wealthy white men who were property owners, merchants, bankers, and slaveholders. These individuals, often referred to as the Founding Fathers, had significant economic and political power. They were influenced by Enlightenment ideas but were also concerned with maintaining their privileged status. Some notable figures from this class include James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington—all of whom were well-educated and came from prosperous backgrounds. In contrast, the working-class, poor farmers, enslaved people, women, and Indigenous peoples were completely excluded from the process. These groups had little to no political voice and were not allowed to participate in shaping the new government. For example, Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787)—an armed uprising by debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts—highlighted the growing tensions between the wealthy elite and the struggling lower classes. The rebellion was a direct response to heavy taxation and economic hardships, and it terrified the ruling class, reinforcing their fear of too much democratic influence from the lower classes.
   
2. Would 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 U.S. society was similar to today in the sense that economic inequality played a major role in determining political power. The wealthiest individuals had the most influence, while the working class and marginalized groups had little say in government decisions. However, there are differences as well—today, voting rights are more inclusive, and legal protections exist for marginalized groups, though economic disparities and political influence of the wealthy remain significant.
   
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 Founders were afraid of democracy because they feared that if power were placed in the hands of the common people, they would challenge elite interests. Many of the Founders were influenced by the idea that pure democracy could lead to “mob rule” and threaten private property. James Madison, for instance, warned in Federalist No. 10 that factions (especially those of the poor majority) could unite to redistribute wealth or pass laws unfavorable to the wealthy class. As a result, they created a government structure—including the Electoral College and the Senate—that would limit direct democratic influence and ensure that decision-making remained largely in the hands of the elite.

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.

The wealthy “elite gentlemen” were the ones who wrote the constitution, they represented affluent merchants, banks, and the landowning class. They were part of a minority that controlled most shipping, banking, mining, and manufacturing on the east. The “working class” was excluded from the constitutional convention because they couldn’t afford to take time off. Working people are poor farmers, free African Americans, women, slaves.

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

Economic inequality and class divisions are common to both early American society and modern society, but their exact processes and structures have changed. The strict, legally enforced racial and class hierarchies of earlier times made space for more systemic and economic forms of inequality in today’s society. The wealthy landowning elites, in the South (plantation owners) and North (industrialists and merchants), held the majority of wealth and political influence. Today, economic inequality continues to exist, with the top 1% of earners controlling an unfair proportion of wealth.

• Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy?

The Constitutional framers were afraid of democracy because they saw it as a threat to their money and possessions.  Wealthy property owners were concerned about two major threats: the debtor class uprising and the potential power of the masses. They had witnessed debtor rebellions like the Shays Rebellion.The wealthy elite were concerned that true democracy would enable the non-wealthy majority to vote against their economic interests.

1. In early America, what was required for someone to be able to vote?
2. Which social class did most people belong to in early America?
3. What was Madison’s goal in writing “Federalist #10”?
4. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy? This is an important point that we will discuss in our discussion board next.
5. What were some of the reasons why the Constitution never abolished the slave trade?

1. In early America, only white men who were at least 21 years old, had property, and were citizens of the United States were usually eligible to vote. Native Americans, women, and other racial minorities were typically not allowed to vote, however certain states did permit free black men to do so under specific restrictions. Voters in some jurisdictions had to pay a poll tax or fulfill religious requirements, and property ownership was a crucial prerequisite. Due to these limitations, only a select, privileged group of people were able to vote.
2. The working or lower class comprised the majority of individuals in early America, including farmers, laborers, and craftspeople. A smaller percentage of the population was made up of the wealthier landowners, merchants, and elite people, while the majority of people lived in rural areas and worked on farms.
3. In Federalist Number 10, Madison argued that the best way to manage factions and keep any one group from acquiring too much power would be to establish a big, diversified republic. Because a vast republic would contain a range of interests, he thought it would be more difficult for any one side to dominate, resulting in more equal representation and greater stability.
4. Since pure democracy could result in mob rule or the tyranny of the majority, when minority groups rights and interests could be disregarded or violated, the framers of the Constitution were cautions about it. Their exposure to the unpredictability and chaos of popular uprisings, such as Shay’s Rebellion, had an impact on many of them. They created a system of representative democracy with checks and balances to guarantee that power would be balanced and regulated because they felt that a strong, stable government was necessary to avert anarchy. They sought to avoid the possible risks of popular control while establishing a government that upheld individual liberties.
5. The main reason the Constitution never outlawed the slave trade was because of political concession made to win over Southern states, whose economies depended heavily on slavery. Fearing it would hurt their economic interests, many Southern delegates vowed to reject the Constitution if it contained a clause requiring the immediate abolition of the slave trade. Thus, the framers made a concession by permitting the slave trade to go on for another 20 years, until 1808, when congress was granted the authority to outlaw it. In particular, the Southern states would not have accepted the Constitution otherwise, therefore this compromise was essential to its adoption.

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.

Based on my reading and understanding of 6.1 and 6.2, the wealth owning capitalist classes wrote the constitution. The social classes that were not allowed to participate in this process is the working classes, the Non-wealthy classes. They were not allowed to input their ideas that involves shaping the government system due to them being wealthy enough they wouldn’t want to include other social classes but themselves.

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

I would honestly say that it is somewhat the same as our today, because the upper classes are still considering themselves as higher classes than others and if you’re in a lower class they’re more likely to not help you enough and things are as much harder on your side compared to the higher class. But in today’s society they’re more focus on education, wealth and income.

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.

I would honestly say that the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy because they know what the outcome would be if the allow/let the lower Class get more power it would be much harder for the upper class people because they would make few changes which will make all the classes (slightly) the same which means no comparison against the classes and that’s the main reason why they were afraid of them because they were afraid they have more (power) to change the idea of things that they had control over and they’re upper class they wouldn’t want to be associated with the lower classes, they prefer their separate beliefs.

1) The Constitution was written by the wealthy elite, for the wealthy elite. Merchants, bankers, creditors, and some landowners were among this group. According to Class Power in Early America, the writers of the Constitution were wealthy men who believed a strong central government would cater to their financial interests and keep them in the wealthy class. Charles Beard argued that framers were in the property-owning class, such as creditors, who benefitted from a centralized government because it would allow public debt to exist. On the other hand, the class excluded from writing the Constitution consisted of poor farmers, indentured servants, slaves, artisans, and those who didn’t own property. People of African descent, Native Americans, and Women were also among these people. The poor and working class had no representation during the writing of the Constitution. 

2) While there are similarities regarding economic inequality, early America was way more strict on who could vote and be represented by the government. In early America, a very small percentage of the population was able to vote or participate in the government: the wealthy elite. Although in current times a larger demographic of people are allowed to vote, there are still clear signs of wealthy individuals and corporations having the upper hand in politics because of things like lobbying. 
3) The writers of the Constitution were afraid of democracy because they wanted to keep political control in the hands of the wealthy elite, not the common people. They believed if they allowed farmers, laborers, and debtors to have a say about their rights they would be met by more uprisings like Shays’ Rebellion or policy changes that would not favor property owners. They were afraid that through their struggles the poor and working would demand wealth distribution as well. Because of this, the U.S. Constitution was written in favor of a small group of wealthy white men rather than the majority of the population. 

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.

Based on Readings 6.1 an 6.2, the social class that wrote the Constitution were the wealthy creditors, landowners, slaveholders, etc. In reading 6.2, Beard states that these men had direct financial interested when creating a central government which would protect their wealth and investments. However, the class which were excluded and not allowed to participate in this process were the majority of people in Early America. This group of people as stated in Reading 6.1, included; enslaved people, women, Native Americans, small laborers and farmers, and servants and poor workers.

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

In our society today, we have a more formal political equality while economic inequality still remains an issue. In early America, political power was strictly based upon land ownership and wealth. Which in comparison to today’s world, wealth still plays a big role in shaping policy through corporate influence and lobbying. So, the structure where elites maintain control over vast majority of decisions when it comes to politics and the economy is quite similar to early American but some aspects have evolved since then but not fully.

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 were so afraid of democracy because they feared that democracy would lead to policies that would threaten their wealth, privilege, and power. In reading 6.1, the author explains how they viewed the lower classes as threated to their pottery rights. In addition, in reading 6.2 the author also states that credits were very cindered about debt relief measures that were supported by small farmers and laborers who were also advocates during Shays’ Rebellion. The Shays’ Rebellion of 1786, caused lots of economic hardships.

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.

1. After analyzing both readings 6.1 and 6.2 it becomes evident that the wealthy elite social class wrote the constitution.Specifically, Reading 6.1 establishes that the men who drafted the Constitution were mainly from the upper class, as the large majority present at the convention were wealthy landowners or businessmen who held significant economic and political control.Their main concern was protecting their financial interests and preventing revolts of the working class that could threaten their wealth. A large example of this fear turning to reality would be Shay’s Rebellion which was an armed uprising as a result of high taxes and economic hardship for the working class/farmers.With the Constitution being written by the upper class this excluded the rest of social classes from being represented.Reading 6.2 supports this by highlighting that Native Americans, individuals of African descent, women, indentured servants and white men that lacked property were all denied from the right to vote, this being a small glimpse into their complete lack of political representation.
2. While the United State’s legal framework has changed to become inclusive, allowing for representation across various social classes and minority groups due to the removal of explicit legal restrictions like the suffrage restrictions.However, there are still societal and economic inequalities that play a role in the unequal distribution of political power.The wealthy maintain their wealth and influence through tactics like campaign contributions ultimately granting them political leverage.
3. The upperclass individuals who wrote the Constitution were afraid of democracy because they feared that the lower class individuals of farmers and laborers would use their newly found majority power to challenge and dismantle their economic interests

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.

 The rich and affluent wrote the constitution, while the working class (majority of the merchants, indentured servants, slaves, etc . . .) were excluded and not allowed in the process. In “Democracy for the Few” it is stated how only 10 percent of the population, consisting of wealthy property-owning white men, were allowed to vote. It goes on further stating that the Constitution required a four-month conference. Only the wealthy could stay away from their homes from that long and still be able to sustain themselves. The working class had to be where their work was located.

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

The social class structure is the same today as it was in the early United States. The distribution of wealth is beyond atrocious. The country is still based on debt and creditors. People are still working to barely make their monthly obligations while they get into more debt. The difference is now, there is a greater illusion of opportunity. Many people are homeowners and drive nice cars. They have access to the “American dream”. And this American dream, for example, allows the wealthy to lend several mortgages on the same property repeatedly. A new buyer or a refinance is the beginning of a new loan, with the majority of the interest paid in the 1^st 5 years. The property and land is constant; but the borrowers keep changing.

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.

Democracy is a concept for all the people. But as stated before, only 10%, the affluent and wealthy, of the population were included in the political arena. So, the 10 % did not want the 90%, the working class, to have an impact on their ability to establish ways to secure their existing interests and generate more wealth.