An economic interpretation of the Constitution of the United States

"An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States" by Charles A. Beard is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work offers a critical examination of the United States Constitution, positing that its formation was heavily influenced by the economic interests of its framers rather than the abstract ideals of democracy and liberty often ascribed to its creation. Beard aims to reinterpret the historical narrative surrounding the Constitution, emphasizing the economic motivations behind its adoption. The opening of the book lays the groundwork for Beard's exploration of how economic interests shaped the political landscape of the late 18th century leading up to the Constitutional Convention. He discusses various schools of historical interpretation, touching upon authors like Bancroft and others, while asserting that conventional histories have overlooked the economic factors at play. Beard introduces the need for a critical reevaluation of the motivations of key figures in the establishment of the Constitution, setting the stage for a detailed analysis of the economic contexts that influenced those in power during that transformative period. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Austin Beard was an American historian and professor, who wrote primarily during the first half of the 20th century. A history professor at Columbia University, Beard's influence is primarily due to his publications in the fields of history and political science. His works included a radical re-evaluation of the Founding Fathers of the United States, whom he believed to be more motivated by economics than by philosophical principles. Beard's most influential book, An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States (1913), has been the subject of great controversy ever since its publication. While it has been frequently criticized for its methodology and conclusions, it was responsible for a wide-ranging reinterpretation of early American history.