The Constitution was written by the white wealthy elite, landowners, merchants, bondholders, and educated professionals, who had strong economic interests and wanted to protect their property and influence. From Readings 6.1 and 6.2, these men were the “powerful gentlemen,” and their wealth gave them the time and resources to participate in the Constitutional Convention. Meanwhile, the working class, poor farmers, laborers, indentured servants, enslaved people, women, and white men without property were completely excluded. For example, in twelve of the thirteen states, only property-owning white men could vote, leaving the majority of people without a voice in shaping the government.

The social class structure of early U.S. society is not so different from today. While legal barriers have been removed and more people can vote, wealth continues to determine who really holds power. The wealthy still control political decisions, influence elections, and shape policies to protect their interests, while the majority, the working class and minorities, often have to fight to have their needs recognized. Personally, I sometimes feel disconnected from the decisions made by government leaders because it obvious they prioritize corporations and property owners over people who work every day to make ends meet.

The framers of the Constitution were afraid of true democracy because they feared the majority could challenge their wealth and privileges. They worried that the working class or poor might push for reforms such as debt relief, fairer taxation, or limits on property accumulation. To protect their power, they built a government with checks and balances, the Electoral College, and property based voting rules, creating a system that looked democratic but ultimately ensured that economic power remained concentrated in the hands of the few. Policies often favor the rich, such as tax breaks for corporations or subsidies for industries that benefit property owners, while social programs and worker protections face constant debate or cuts. It makes me realize that, even though laws have changed, the system still protects those at the top, and real change often requires persistent effort from ordinary people to have their voices heard.