What did the framers of the Constitution of 1877 aim to achieve with their restrictions?

The framers of the Constitution of 1877 aimed to retain power in rural counties primarily in response to the societal and political changes following the Reconstruction era in Georgia. This Constitution was crafted during a time when there was significant concern among rural factions about the influence and power of urban populations, particularly in cities like Atlanta.

By implementing various restrictions, such as limiting the power of the legislature and creating more obstacles for voting and participation, the framers sought to ensure that the political power remained concentrated in rural areas. This reflected a desire to maintain the interests and values of agrarian communities, which often felt threatened by the changes brought about by industrialization and urbanization.

The focus on rural power is evident in the structure of the government established by the 1877 Constitution, as it favored local control and traditional values, thereby sidelining the influence of more progressive urban interests. This context helps understand why the other options, which suggest empowerment of urban areas, encouragement of widespread voting, or embracing modern reforms, do not align with the intent of the framers during this period. Their primary goal was indeed about maintaining the political dominance of rural constituents at a time of significant change in Georgia.