Asked by michael montgomery on Jun 28, 2024
Verified
Which of the following statements accurately describes the background of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
A) The vast majority had risen from humble origins, much as Alexander Hamilton had.
B) Very few had attended college, even though college education was on the rise in America.
C) Nearly half owned slaves, and most had come from wealth or been born into propertied families.
D) Very few had engaged in politics prior to the Revolution, and most were skeptical of national authority.
E) Most had risen to prominence through their rejection of slavery and insistence on equality for all.
Constitutional Convention
A formal assembly convened with the purpose of drafting, amending, or revising a constitution, such as the 1787 convention that drafted the Constitution of the United States.
Propertied Families
Families that own significant amounts of land, real estate, or other forms of wealth, often holding considerable influence and status in society.
- Recognize the social and economic backgrounds of delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
Verified Answer
MS
Ma'ata SakitiJun 30, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Nearly half of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention owned slaves, and the majority came from backgrounds of wealth or were born into families with property. This reflects the elite status of many of the founding fathers and contrasts with the more diverse backgrounds that are often highlighted in popular narratives.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the social and economic backgrounds of delegates at the Constitutional Convention.