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