Keep in mind our Online Discussion Guidelines:
https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/pol-100-introduction-to-american-government-artinian/online-discussion-guidelines/
Instructions for completing this discussion board assignment:
a) Identify which discussion question you are answering in your comment by placing the relevant number at the start of your answer. For example:
2. Crime has often been used as a form of social control by…
4. Michelle Alexander’s argument about segregation…
b) Respond to two other students’ comments.
- 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.
- Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.
- 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.
1- I believe the constitution was written by the upper class. In Reading 6.1 it stated that” only property owning white males could vote.”Which means only the owning class are able to vote but even the you must have a certain about of property or money in order to be eligible to vote. It stated that ” all native Americans (Indians), person of African decent, women, endutured servants and white males lacking sufficient property” couldn’t vote. This means anybody if you didn’t have money , if you’re a female, or have African decent you can’t vote.
2- I believe the social class structure from then and now has definitely a drastic change . Women and men of all color are able to vote. Every person has an opinion except if you are not a US citizen. The government is constantly changing the states laws to fit in with the socialisation , its giving more people opportunity to chose who they want in their government and voice their opinion.
3- The people who wrote the constitution where so afraid of democracy because they believed that once the lower class where able to vote and voice their opinion they( wealthy class) would then have to share their privilege power. ( I dint really understand this question , I would love if someone can clear up the answer and share some knowledge so I can better understand)
Hey Morayma, I love how short but straight to the point and informative your responses always are! The only thing I would change differently would be you referring to Native Americans as Indians, but that’s usually a common mix up!
Heyy, I like how your examples get straight to the point. I agree with your statement for #2 the government is constantly changing the laws to fit in with socialisation but i think that is only because we make a fuss about certain laws, if it was not for us voicing our opinions when we couldnt socialisation wouldnt even be a thing today.
Hello Morayma, Great replies that are well thought out.
One quick comment about Q1: let’s replace “upper class” with “capitalist class”, since we’re making the point, in our study of classes, that it is more accurate to refer to classes according to whether they have wealth or not, rather than some other way of differentiating them.
On Q2: you’re describing non-class parts of politics: gender and race. But has the class structure remained the same, or has it changed?
1) I strongly believe that the constitution was written by the upper class capitalists. In reading 6.1 it mentions the people who were not allowed to vote “All White males without property, all Native Americans, all indentured servants, and all females of whatever race, also excluded were slaves, who constituted almost one fourth of the nations population. Even among those African Americans who had gained their freedom in both North and South, few were allowed to vote.” Which basically meant, if you weren’t a wealthy White male, your vote was not deemed as important.
2) I would completely say that the social class structure from then to now has entirely changed in a progressive way. Today the country is more obligated to be more tolerant with diversity, women of all races are allowed to vote, everyone of any color or whether you own property or not are allowed to vote. The only non progressive thing this country has still failed to fix is not letting felons vote once they complete their sentencing.
3)The people who wrote the constitution were so afraid of democracy because I think they were scared of people coming together to overthrow the government for their biased thing and rules/laws. Once people who were not just wealthy White men would be allowed to vote, things would no longer be in favor of just the rich white men.
Hey, I somewhat did not understand #3 when asking why “afraid” of democracy and your example helped me understand. I agree that things will no longer be in favor of the white men the reason why they were afraid of democracy but its a bit crazy how todays world seem to be working that way……
Hi Anicia, I cant emphasize enough on how your analysis on the questions are on point. It always good to get other people’s opinions and analyse things from a different perspective.
good job, we as a class learn much more when able to read the opinion of others
On Q2: you’re describing factors connected to gender and race, but has the class structure changed? Do you still have capitalists and working classes, or something new has replaced them?
1) The constitution was definitely written by upper class. In the beginning of article 6.1 it spoke about people who could and could not vote. It stated “In twelve of the thirteen states (Pennsylvania excepted), only property-owning White males could vote, probably not more than 10 percent of the total adult population.” This explained that only white males who owned property can vote. The article then stated “Excluded were all Native Americans (“Indians”), per-sons of African descent, women, indentured servants, and White males lacking sufficient property.” This basically explained if you were not a white wealthy male you were not able to vote. The lower and working class was excluded from this.
2) I do believe our social class has changed, in todays world men and women have equal rights. Everyone is able to vote men, women, all colors, all races besides felonies and non citizens. We all are able to voice are opinions, freedom of speech. Over the years the government have changed laws to fit in with equality needs.
3) I think the people who wrote the constitution was afraid of democracy because they were afraid of change. I believe they were afraid people will not agree/obey with their laws. If everyone can voice their opinions upper class will no longer have power over rules and laws.
Hi Jasmine, I like you overall analysis of the questions. I see that we have a few things in common. Specifically, for question #2 while I do believe some changes were made the structure of social class it still subsist. The upper class still control how decision are finalized in society today.
Hello Jasmine, I agree with number 3 they were definitely afraid of change and loosing what they had already.
On Q2: what you’re describing is questions related to gender and race, but have the social classes changed (differentiated by wealth or lack of wealth)?
Hello Professor and classmates 🙂
Questions:
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.
2. Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.
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.
Answers:
1. . Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2, the social class that wrote the Constitution was wealthy or rich. As mentioned in the article, selected few were entitled to vote. Merely because they owned the majority of if not all of the wealth and controlled power. The article also mentioned that other white people were excluded from voting including women, immigrants and blacks. This depicts that the 10 percent of wealthy white men controlled everything. The upper class made rules to protect themselves and not destroy their own power. While the lower class did not approve of these rules they could not afford to take off work to attend the drafting in Pennsylvania.
2. In my opinion the social class structure of early United States society is still subsist today. The article mentioned power and wealth “ruling class” were the ones who owned majority of the land and controlled power. To this day this structure subsist. While theirs have been changes like woman being able to vote and minorities being able to earn a fair amount of wages to sustain their livelihood, the upper class still dictate how they system should operate. Another factor that affectthat support my claims is the income gap, education and the structure of families.
3. The people who wrote the Constitution was petrified of democracy because they were afraid of loosing their wealth and power. They were also afraid of being overthrown by the lower class people once they were given the opportunity to vote.
Nice summary on Q1.
On Q2, yes, the point about women being able to vote is not a class issue, and as you indicated with minorities, our class structure still remains the same, with capitalist in power, and a large majority of working class people.
1. Based on both readings the constitution was wrote by the higher class individuals and the lower class were excluded from it. The difference is that the higher class owned property and had wealth that gave them advantages over the others. The lower class did not have the right to vote or real rights for themselves. This included working class, people of color and women. This was written to benefit the wealthy.
2. It is different because social class today is about how much money you make on average and what group you fall under. In the early united states period social class was based on gender, race, and what type of power you had over people.
3. They were afraid of democracy because they did not want to be taxed on their wealth, they also did not want to lose power over the lower class. The democracy would give the lower class more rights as individuals and this was considered an issue for the creator of the constitution.
Hey Kyara,
I understood well your response. Its clear and well comprehended.
well put on questions 2 and 3
Q2, ok, but wasn’t that power also based on money and wealth, back in the early history of the US?
I tried my best to understand this module, here is my response.
1. I believe that the upper class wrote the constitution because according to the reading, only property owning white males could vote in twelve of the thirteen states. All Native Americans were excluded meaning that only the rich and not poor were allowed to participate in the process.
2. I would say that the social class structure of early United states society is different from ours today. This is because we now have the liberty to vote no mater your social class, gender, or race you are. Unlike before, people couldn’t participate only because of discrimination.
3. I believe that the people who wrote the constitution were afraid of democracy because they were afraid of things to change. They were afraid of the lower class gaining more power and more freedom.
I admire everyone’s effort to try, including yourself, although both readings were difficult to fully understand
Q2: I see your point: the ability to vote has definitely been extended to the working class today for sure. But still, do we still have the same social classes in society today, or new ones?
1. I believe that the Constitution was written by the upper class because in reading 6.1 he had mentioned who was allowed to vote a few being Native Americans, servants, and females. To me this made me strongly believe that the Constitution was written by the upper class since you were only allowed to vote if you were a male, Wealthy ,and white.
2. I would say that the social class structure of early US society is different due to the fact that we now have more opportunities and now everyone has ability to vote.
3. The people who wrote the constitution were afraid of democracy because they were afraid of change and losing power.
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 the readings of 6.1 and 6.2 the social class that wrote the constitution was the upper class because obviously the upper class was the class that had more money so they had more power and more say. The classes who had the less say was the lower class and the middle class had more rights but the upper class was the class that ran everything. These where the major differences between these social classes.
2.Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.
I think that the social class of early United States is the same and different in a way because now we do have more opportunities but I feel like they only apply to certain social classes and certain people. While I still feel like a lot of people are able to vote but we don’t have a lot of opportunities.
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 think that the people who wrote the constitution where so afraid of democracy because they didnt want to lose power and afraid of change.
1) Based on the arguments presented, the social class who wrote the constitution was the affluent class. Thus, the financial and commercial interests of the affluent class were favored for their abundance of wealth. In the 6.1 reading, the following is as stated, “in the period from the American Revolution to the Constitutional Convention(1776–1787), the big landowners, merchants, and bankers exercised a strong influence over politico-economic life, often dominating the local newspapers that served the interests of commerce.”(pg.2) Thereafter, it was all classes beneath those that are seen as wealthy that was excluded to participate in the process. The reasoning derived by George Washington was to avoid a sense of awakening in participation; which then led to the statement of how “the anarchy of the propertyless would give way to despotism.”
2) I would have to somewhat disagree with the idea that the social class structure of the early United States society was the same as ours today. However, that does not necessarily conclude to the fact that there are still discriminatory aspects visible. Although what allowed me to disagree with the question is because of the steps that have been made in the path of improvement. Examples of such are found in the ability for everyone of age to vote, eliminating segregation, and in normalizing the thought of women having professional jobs as well.
3) I believe those who wrote the constitution were afraid of democracy because the affluent class wanted to dominate the rest in this concept of society. It may closely relate to the idea of ethnocentrism. However, what was felt to be avoided was in allowing others to embrace the need to participate in any concerns amongst the government. And so that is what was sought to occur in prohibiting the idea, because otherwise they would have to be attentive to the lower class needs although there was no desire to do so.
great answers it definently cleared up my understanding
On Q2, I see your point, but am curious: despite the fact that opportunities in political life have been expanded for the working class majority, would you say that our class structure is the same today (consisting of working class and capitalists?) or have some new social classes emerged? I was asking this, to see if the class will detect that, despite changes in access, our social class structure is essentially the same.
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.
Answer: The social class that wrote the Constitution was the Higher class because of the majority ownership for property and wealth also giving not only a few white males but to a few native American’s, servants and women to vote. The Lower class was excluded because they did not approve of the rules and that they did not have the right to vote as well.
2. Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.
Answer: I will say that the social class structure of early United States society is different from our Unites States society today. Before our society today back in the early United States society not a lot of individuals did not have the opportunity to vote because it was based on gender, race. But now here we are today all men and women from different race has the opportunity to vote and we are gaining more citizens to vote, give there opinions, there freedom of speech, wanting and hoping for better changes in our society today.
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.
Answer: The individuals who wrote the constitution were afraid of democracy because they feared that some changes will occur. Some changes such as losing there control of power, the lower class outranking the higher class with more power and freedom.
OK, on Q2, besides the right to vote, have the two main social classes changed (the capitalists and the working-class)? Is there some other social class? The answer is No, I’ll go over this point in my summary video for this module.
1-The social class that wrote the constitution were the higher class giving other people below them not being able to vote and because of this people that own property which would be white men were only able to vote so rich people. Everyone else like native americans and women didnt have the power to vote.
2 – Back then and now are definently different because back then women couldnt vote and only rich white men owners could vote now everyone has the opportunity to vote if your a US citizen they suggest you to vote . Nowa days men and women can vote and have a chance to voice their opinions .
3- i think they were afraid of democracy because they didnt want it going bad on their end so that they would be taxed more because of their wealth they were also afraid that the higher class would eventually rule over them.
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 constitution was written by groups of personal property interests which was made up of personality in money, money capital, creditors as well as personality in manufacturing and shipping. These were the capitalists and the wealthy class in the nation. However, the working class, who were the groups of property holders such as small farmers, manorial lords, and landed proprietors, were excluded from the efforts. The difference between the two groups was that the personal property interest intended to stop laws “impairing the obligation of contract, emitting paper money, and other with benefiting debtors” (Beard 4). However, the property holders had no say in such issues.
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 still the same in the united states. The nation is under the mercy of a few capitalists who have a lot of wealth that they can use to influence policies. Such capitalists fund legislators to pass policies favorable to them while ignoring the needs of the majority working class. That is why conditions are unfavorable for the working class.
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 afraid of democracy because they feared that it would allow the working class to take over politics. That could have led to an egalitarian taking over, thus destroying the wealth that they had amassed.
Excellent point on Q2!! You clearly see how the class structure is indeed the same, even if surface details (access to voting to working people, etc.) have changed! Good.
1. I accept the constitution was composed by the high society. In Reading 6.1 it expressed that ” lone property possessing white guys could vote.”Which implies just the claiming class can cast a ballot yet even then you should have a sure about of property or cash so as to be qualified to cast a ballot. It expressed that ” every single local American (Indians), individual of African good, ladies, endured workers and white guys lacking adequate property” couldn’t cast a ballot. This implies anyone in the event that you didn’t have cash , in case you’re a female, or have African respect you can’t cast a ballot.
2. I would totally say that the social class structure from that point to now has completely changed in a reformist manner. Today the nation is more committed to be more lenient with variety, ladies of all races are permitted to cast a ballot, everybody of any tone or if you own property are permitted to cast a ballot. The main non reformist thing this nation has still neglected to fix isn’t letting criminals vote once they complete their condemning.
3. I think the individuals who composed the constitution feared the majority rules system since they feared change. I accept they were apprehensive individuals won’t concur/obey with their laws. In the event that everybody can voice their feelings privileged will no longer have control over standards and laws.