Final answer:
The Founding Fathers initially had property-owning men in mind when they created the Constitution, inspired by Enlightenment ideas. Over time, the definition of 'We the People' has expanded to include a broader representation. The framers built a system of checks and balances, influenced by the political thoughts of Locke and Montesquieu, and aimed at balancing liberty with order and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Founding Fathers created and enacted the Constitution, they had a complex understanding of “We the People.” Inspired by the Enlightenment, they envisioned a government where political power comes from the consent of the governed. However, at that time, “We the People” predominantly referred to free, property-owning men, often excluding natives, blacks, women, and immigrants. The founders' goals included forming a more perfect union, envisioning a nation that would continue to strive for greater inclusion and representation over time.
The framers harnessed a vast array of political knowledge and sought to balance liberty and equality, and liberty and order in the new nation's government. With a backdrop of economic interests, ideological beliefs, and differing opinions, they arrived at a series of compromises, resulting in the construction of a system with checks and balances between three branches of government. The influence of thinkers like John Locke on natural rights and Montesquieu on the separation of powers was evident in their work.
Despite their foresight, many of the delegates held biases reflective of their own class interests and were wary of a full democracy. Instead, they defined a framework where, initially, mainly landholders were considered suitable to vote. This initial framework has been expanded on throughout American history to create a more inclusive political system which better reflects the entire populace of the nation.