What Are The Motives Behind The Intent Of The Constitution
Motives Behind the Creation of the
American Constitution
Howard Zinn vs. Gordon Wood
HIST 110
24 March 2014
The debate between Professor’s Wood and Zinn confronts two notions concerning the intent of the Constitution of the United States. This alternative view, depicting the Constitution in anything more than a light of admiration, was first introduce by Charles A. Beard in 1913. It stirred such controversy that the resonance of his different perspective still ripples through the political teachings today. Wood and Zinn remarked on this debate with their personal perspectives concerning the intent of the Constitution in 1980, however, despite the intent of the Constitution, it is hard to deny the argument most supportive when taking into account the modern state of politics.
Section One: Summarizing Zinn’s Argument
Zinn argues, “The Constitution illustrates the complexity of the American system; that it serves the interests of a wealthy elite, but also does enough for small property owners, for middle-income mechanics and farmers, to build a broad base of support. The slightly prosperous people who make up this base of support are the buffers against the blacks, the …show more content…
He points out that many of the states had participated in the revolution, which freed them from the British monarchy with the prospect of becoming individually governed states as prescribed in the Articles of Confederation, and did not regard this agreement as simply a temporary vehicle to unite their efforts. This is what he attributes much of the high esteem we, citizens of the USA, to this day hold the founding fathers. He remarks that they are revered as demigods and the ratification of the Constitution is nothing less than heroic (Pg 128). He then reinforces again, that the Constitution was the result no one could have anticipated given the basis of the Revolutionary
American Constitution
Howard Zinn vs. Gordon Wood
HIST 110
24 March 2014
The debate between Professor’s Wood and Zinn confronts two notions concerning the intent of the Constitution of the United States. This alternative view, depicting the Constitution in anything more than a light of admiration, was first introduce by Charles A. Beard in 1913. It stirred such controversy that the resonance of his different perspective still ripples through the political teachings today. Wood and Zinn remarked on this debate with their personal perspectives concerning the intent of the Constitution in 1980, however, despite the intent of the Constitution, it is hard to deny the argument most supportive when taking into account the modern state of politics.
Section One: Summarizing Zinn’s Argument
Zinn argues, “The Constitution illustrates the complexity of the American system; that it serves the interests of a wealthy elite, but also does enough for small property owners, for middle-income mechanics and farmers, to build a broad base of support. The slightly prosperous people who make up this base of support are the buffers against the blacks, the …show more content…
He points out that many of the states had participated in the revolution, which freed them from the British monarchy with the prospect of becoming individually governed states as prescribed in the Articles of Confederation, and did not regard this agreement as simply a temporary vehicle to unite their efforts. This is what he attributes much of the high esteem we, citizens of the USA, to this day hold the founding fathers. He remarks that they are revered as demigods and the ratification of the Constitution is nothing less than heroic (Pg 128). He then reinforces again, that the Constitution was the result no one could have anticipated given the basis of the Revolutionary