A. During the Age of Enlightenment, constitutionalism was adopted in many European and American nations Why did some members of the nobility, or upper classes, resist the movement toward constitutionalism? Constitutions gave common people as much political and legal power as people born into the noble class Many of the people in the upper (noble)class misunderstood the concept and therefore distrusted it. The members of the noble classes all hoped for a chance to become king, and wanted absolute power. Many in the upper class feared that the lower classes might try to oppress them if they had absolute power. A. changes saved

## Step 1<br />The question is asking why some members of the nobility, or upper classes, resisted the movement toward constitutionalism during the Age of Enlightenment. Constitutionalism is a political philosophy that advocates for the limitation of government power by a constitution.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The options provided are:<br />A. Constitutions gave common people as much political and legal power as people born into the noble class<br />B. Many of the people in the upper (noble) class misunderstood the concept and therefore distrusted it.<br />C. The members of the noble classes all hoped for a chance to become king, and wanted absolute power.<br />D. Many in the upper class feared that the lower classes might try to oppress them if they had absolute power.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option A suggests that constitutions gave common people as much political and legal power as people born into the noble class. This would indeed be a reason for the nobility to resist constitutionalism, as it would mean a loss of power and privilege for them.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option B suggests that many of the people in the upper (noble) class misunderstood the concept and therefore distrusted it. This is not a strong reason for resistance, as understanding is not a prerequisite for resistance.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option C suggests that the members of the noble classes all hoped for a chance to become king, and wanted absolute power. This is not a strong reason for resistance, as wanting absolute power does not necessarily mean resisting constitutionalism.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Option D suggests that many in the upper class feared that the lower classes might try to oppress them if they had absolute power. This is a strong reason for resistance, as it would mean a loss of power and privilege for the nobility.