Charles A. Beard and John P. Roche wrote during different generations about the same subject matter: the framing of the Constitution. John Roche said the Framers of the Constitution were pragmatic democrats, but Charles Beard raised serious doubts about that, labeling them as economic upper-class defenders who feared the aggressive urban mobs and small dirt farmers. Beard's perspective was a great change in how the framers were perceived by 20th century generations; and Roche's was equally earth shaking to many adherents to Beard's perspective.
Read both essays thoroughly, and then answer two of the following questions in complete, thoughtful sentences. Please differentiate your answers from that of your classmates (200 words min). Then, comment on the post of at least one other question by agreeing or disagreeing with a classmate, and adding additional perspective (100 words min). 1. Beard observes that revolutionists Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine, & Patrick Henry, among others, “Were not, generally speaking, men of large property interests or of much practical business experience.” How did their absence at the Convention affect the outcome? 2. How does Beard characterize the delegates at the Convention of 1787? 3. According to Beard, what were the views of the delegates on democracy & equality? 4. Contrast the philosophy and forces behind the Articles of Confederation with those supporting the new Constitution in 1787. 5. What was the effect of the state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation upon the dominant economic classes? 6. What does Roche mean when he describes the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a democratic reform caucus? 7. What does Roche feel was the role of political theory at the convention? 8. How does Roche characterize the Framers? 9. Compare and contrast the two men's theories and supporting arguments about the framers. What are the major similarities differences between the two? Everyone (in addition to other posts): With which writer do you more strongly agree? Why him and not the other? If neither, choose parts of each that you find appealing. Also, consider the process of creating the Constitution itself. What was democratic about the things the Framers did in Philadelphia? What was undemocratic about the things they did? On balance, were they more democratic than undemocratic? Why or why not? Total posts: 4 (minimum)
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