EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS Voting rights far from universal in the

colonial and early national periods Franchise typically restricted to white, male

property-owners over twenty-one Why were others excluded? The U.S. Constitution and voting rights

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS Expansion of democratic politics in first half of

the 19th century Most property requirements for voting removed Property requirements for office holding often

remained Some expansion of types of offices elected by

“popular” vote Presidential electors

During the first half of the 19th century, racial restrictions for voting made explicit

George Caleb Bingham, The County Election

In many states, voting by voice replaced by printed ballot

The secret ballot is a reform that is not widely adopted until the late 19th century

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS THE 15TH AMENDMENT: “The right of

citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Freedmen voting, SC, 1868

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS

Black voting and political power during Reconstruction

Hiram Revels

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS White backlash to the myth of “black

rule” Birth of a Nation (1915) Disfranchisement

Residency requirements Literacy test

“Understanding clause” “Negro crimes” Poll tax Williams v. Mississippi (1898)

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS Woman Suffrage and the 19th

Amendment

Seneca Falls Convention, 1848

Women’s participation in World War I

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS 17th Amendment – Direct election of U.S.

Senators Part of Civil Rights Movement included

the struggle to end legal disfranchisement of black voters in the SouthAttempting to register to vote in Forrest County, MS, 1964

EXPANSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS Voting Rights Act of 1965