Charles Beard suggested that the Founders of the Constitution were motivated mainly by what type of factor?

Charles Beard argued that the Founders of the Constitution were primarily motivated by economic interests rather than purely ideological or philosophical considerations. In his influential work, "An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States," Beard contended that the framers were influenced by their personal financial interests and those of the social class they represented, particularly in the context of protecting property rights and promoting stability in economic structures.

This perspective emphasizes the role of economic advantages in shaping political decisions, suggesting that the Constitution was crafted to serve the interests of those in positions of wealth and power at the time. Beard's analysis indicates that the structure of the government outlined in the Constitution was designed to favor the economic elite, thereby securing their interests against potential threats from debtors or populist uprisings. This interpretation framed the Constitution as a compromise aimed at creating a balance that would ensure the stability and longevity of the nation's economy.

The other options, such as political ideology, social justice, and cultural integration, while pertinent to the context of the creation of the Constitution, do not align as closely with Beard's emphasis on economic motivations as the primary driving force behind the Founders' actions. His argument hinges on the idea that the Constitution reflects the economic and social realities of the time rather than