Charles Beard

Charles Beard was an influential American historian known for his analysis of the U.S. Constitution. He argued that the document was shaped primarily by economic interests of wealthy founders who sought to protect their property and stabilize their financial status. Beard’s approach, called “economic interpretation,” emphasized how personal and economic motivations influenced political decisions and the founding of the United States. His ideas challenged traditional views of the Constitution as a purely idealistic or noble document, highlighting instead the practical, often self-interested factors behind its creation.