Motives of the Framers

The American economy suffered greatly under the weight of the ineffective Articles of Confederation, and there is no doubt that the economic crisis prompted the Annapolis Convention, and eventually the Constitutional Convention. However, noted scholar Charles Beard believed that the design of the whole Constitution was to further the interests of the economic elite of the nation. When he examined the economic provisions in the Constitution, he saw only benefit for the elite. Even the military powers, he argued, were provided to protect commerce and shipping for the benefit of the elite.

Look at the chart in the M1 Tasks Folder that examines the economic provisions in the Constitution. How would each provision favor commercial and propertied interests? Would average people benefit from those provisions? What do you think?

Scholar John P. Roche suggests other motives for the framers. He did not agree with the characterization of them as demagogues, as previous generations have done, nor did he believe that their motives were self-interest.

Read the following selection for a summary of different historical views of the motives of the framers.

Read Beard’s original arguments in the article, Framing the Constitution posted in the M1 Tasks Folder.