Charles·A. Beard’s Interpretation And Influence Of American’s Constitution-making Movement

Charles A. Beard is a famous American historian, political thinker and jurist. Inmost works of Beard, constitutional research had always occupied a pivotal position.Beard emphasized the concept of "fully human", including the impact of theeconomic benefits of political, changed the teaching and research of Americanhistory,also brought this idea into the study of the history of the Constitution."AnEconomic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States" is the representativework of him, in which he used the economic factors to explain the history of theConstitution. Due to the book, Beard could establish an important position inAmerican legal circles. Beard said" The Constitution is not product of the so-called’universal’, but the product of the economic interests who wish to obtain benefits fromit. The Constituent Assembly was convened by four interests groups whose sufferedthe property damage under the Articles of Confederation.Beard’s constitutional thought was influenced by a number of factors, including:the historical economic point of view of James Harrington; the thoughts of Populistand Turner; Progressive and Muckraking Movement; multidisciplinary researchmethods and sociological jurisprudence; liberal theory and thoughts of other socialscientists. Beard had a great success in the academic research methodology, he createdthe research methods looking the economic situation and social background of theparties as an entry point to study historical events. Beard denied that he had beenbounded by the "economic determinism", and did not deny the impact of other factorson the Constitution. When the academic environment changed, Beard’s views aboutthe Constitution also changed, he expressed much more appreciation and tolerance tothe Constitution. After World War II, Beard’s view of Constitution had been sharply criticized andquestioned, scholars believed that American society was in harmony, there is noso-called conflict of interest groups. The1787Constitution is the expression of publicopinion and freedom,it was complied with the interests of all the states and groups.Beard’s economic analysis of the1787Constitution and other political events weresimple and one-sided. There are many defects in his thought. He even used the forgedmaterials to prove his points. However, in my opinion, the defects generated mainlydue to the lack of mature dialectical point of view, Beard only used the economicanalysis mechanically. Similar defects can also been found in the works of manyMarxist leftist writers. Beard objective opened the door to new leftist trend afterWorld War II, his outstanding contribution to promoting the development ofprogressive historians should not be forgotten.