The struggle for civil rights in the United States of America happened in various times and involved various groups. Arguably, the civil rights were achieved through the passing of the 15th amendment (Gillette, 2019). One of the most significant civil rights is the right to vote. In essence, suffrage rights have been crucial in ensuring that every citizen above the age of 18 years is allowed to participate in elections especially in matters concerning representation. (Neuman, 2019) There is a need to consider that civil rights movements were crucial in the struggle for civil rights.. The struggle for the right to vote is a crucial indicator of the struggles of various groups that have been disenfranchised over the years and the changes that have occurred in American society after different laws that safeguarded suffrage rights.
History of the Right to Vote
The disenfranchisement related to suffrage restrictions affected various groups in America before the Civil War. Essentially the restriction to vote in most instances in history was based on color, age, and gender. Before the US got its independence, the Plymouth colony only allowed wealthy land owners to vote (Neuman, 2019). In most cases, property ownership qualification meant that only white people could vote as the black people were slaves who had no entitlement to property ownership. The colony allowed British settlers and wealthy American plantation farmers to vote. However, leaders such as those heading the colonies were not elected, and therefore the voting was only crucial in a few instances such as electing district representatives. The Plymouth colony allowed freemen to vote in 1671 (Gillette, 2019). This fact suggests that some African Americans were allowed to vote but only if they were not slaves.
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It is essential to note the role of property ownership and religious orientation in the clamor for suffrage rights. For instance, from 1671, voting rights were highly dependent on the religion, or denomination one belonged to. For a slave to belong to the category of freemen, they had to be Christians who were considered to be puritans. One not only needed to be Christian but also to be orthodox in religious fundamentals (Gillette, 2019). For instance, Catholics and Baptists in most colonies were disenfranchised despite being whites. The reason for this discrimination was the occurrence of the revolution of 1688 (Gillette, 2019). The glorious revolution was orchestrated by Catholics resulting in the deposition of King James. This statement indicates the critical role of religion in civil rights clamor.
Significantly, the issue of suffrage restriction differed from state to state. For example, for white men to vote in Connecticut, they had to own an estate that was worth an annual amount of 40 euros. On the other hand, in states like Delaware, one had to own 50 acres of land as an alternative to the 40 euros personal property to earn the right to vote. This qualification was further restrictive to having 20 acres of cultivated land in addition to 50 acres of empty land (Gillette, 2019). In essence, these requirements indicated that voting was a Christian affair and that one had to be rich.
Most states reviewed the restrictions on the basis of property ownership in 1790. By 1856 all white men, regardless of their economic and social status, were allowed to vote throughout the US (Gillette, 2019). However, the free black Americans' right to vote was repealed by several states making the race a crucial qualification.
Sources of Suffrage Rights
The Civil War is considered a monumental event in the struggle for equal rights. Virtually, by the end of the war in 1865, slavery had been abolished (Gillette, 2019). This abolishment gave way to the viewing of black Americans as equal citizens. However, despite the significant impact of the civil war regarding civil rights, there were restrictions based on ownership, making it difficult for African Americans to participate productively in politics.
Nearly, the 14th Amendment had great significance in ensuring that all males could participate in elections despite the skin color. After its ratification in 1868, the amendment provided that all citizens were given equal protection by law (Gillette, 2019). Additionally, the amendment prescribed punishment of states that violated any citizen's right to vote. States that would abridge this right would have their representation in congress reduced by the federal government.
However, the gains of the 14th amendment did not last as political and ideological differences between the southern and northern states derailed the progress leading to confederates passing laws to disenfranchise black people. For instance, the passing of Jim Crow laws in 1877 in the former confederate states was instrumental in denying former slaves economic and political rights (Gillette, 2019). The rules were to ensure that the black Americans' rights to vote were taken away. The former slaves were segregated and denied education to further cement the disenfranchisement. By being denied proper education, African Americans would not participate productively in politics.
The 15th amendment further helped to safeguard the voting rights of all groups. This amendment which was ratified in 1870 was meant to ensure that the suffrage rights were not based on previous servitude or skin color (Neuman, 2019). This amendment was impeded by the institution of various laws. For instance, the Grandfather clause indicated that one's grandfather had to have voted for one to be allowed to vote (Gillette, 2019). This clause, together with poll taxes, prevented black people from voting. The grandfather clause was quashed in 1915 by the Supreme Court.
The most crucial source of suffrage rights is the 19th amendment. The amendment was ratified in 1920 and was significant in guaranteeing women's rights to vote (Neuman, 2019). This statement suggests that women were only allowed to vote after 1920, further ensuring that all groups could participate in political matters.
Significant Leaders
One of the leaders who played an essential role in this civil rights struggle is President Abraham Lincoln. The abolishment of slavery which Lincoln championed was influential in bringing the black population closer to equal rights. During the presidency of Andrew Johnson, African American participation in electoral politics increased (Neuman, 2019). This occurrence was due to Johnson's contributions in ratification of the 13th and 14th amendments and the reconstruction of the congress.
Further, in the wake of the struggle for women's suffrage rights, various leaders were involved. For example, W.E.B. Dubois played a significant role in fighting for women's role in elections. Martin Luther king jar led protests in 1964, leading to the abolishment of the use of poll taxes (Gillette, 2019). This move is viewed as vital as it helped to ensure more African Americans' rights in the southern states.
The anti-suffragist campaign was a countering initiative against suffrage activism. Madeleine Vinton started the anti-sixteenth amendment society in 1869 to oppose the struggle for women's voting rights. Additionally, Jewell dodge led the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage (Neuman, 2019). These leaders opposed the various amendments that sought to ensure civil rights protections.
Groups That Were Affected
Groups that were affected by suffrage rights include women and people of color. It is important to note that voting rights disenfranchisement also impacted groups such as Asians and Native Americans as they were not considered to be white (Neuman, 2019). Apart from African Americans and women suffering the effects of disenfranchisement, individuals below the age of 21 suffered discrimination concerning suffrage rights (Gillette, 2019). People between the age of 18 and 21years, except individuals aged 19 years who had served in World War II, were denied the right to vote.
Changes in the Definition of Voting Rights
While the struggle for voting rights in the 20th and 19th centuries indicated discrimination over time, voting rights have been viewed as a duty rather than a privilege. Restrictions on who should vote have changed over time, with the act of 2019 listing that regulation should be based on mental stability and good conduct (Neuman, 2019). This fact means that criminals cannot vote instead of previous years when the question of suffrage only pointed to racial inequalities.
Essentially, voting rights today are viewed in terms of the ability of all to be allowed to elect candidates of their choice despite party affiliations. Despite there being a conflict between republicans and democrats around the issue of African American rights, leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr did not affiliate themselves with either (Shah & Smith, 2021). This fact indicates the journey towards viewing voting rights as a universal issue without pegging racial connotations to it.
Impact of Right to Vote
There are various effects of universal suffrage in the current society. The safeguarding of all to vote rights has continuously ensured more inclusion and participation by all groups in politics and economic development. For instance, by 2020, there were five Native Americans in the congress and 54 African American members (Shah & Smith, 2021). This increase in representation reflects an improvement in the voting patterns of the nonwhite people in the US. Earlier, the restriction of black people from voting caused a lack of representation.
Additionally, there has been a higher Muslim voter turnout in recent elections, indicating the impact of the emphasis on civil rights instead of earlier when only Christians voted. This change has seen political movements like the Nation of Islam grow in membership population and leadership participation (Shah & Smith, 2021). These developments resulting from Muslims, women's, and black peoples' suffrage rights have caused positive effects such as the election of a black president, Obama, and vice president of color, Kamala. Harris's election indicates the impact of women's suffrage rights, which is key to women's political participation.
Apart from the black voter population in the US being critical in the election of Obama, this population has in the recent polls helped to ensure the entry of new administration. This fact indicates the importance of the nonwhite population in the USA political and economic development. The emphasis on the African American population's significance has been instrumental in promoting the sponsoring of acts such as protecting Black Women Act 2020 and the Economic Opportunity Act (Neuman, 2019). These acts were meant to guarantee equal rights in administrations and parties' attempts to attract the nonwhite population. As a result of involvement in politics and electoral processes, the African American-dominated areas have more facilities. In earlier years, facilities such as schools and hospitals in African American areas were neglected (Shah & Smith, 2021). However, with their direct participation, there has been economic development in this area. The emphasis on the need to receive good education which was championed by Booker T, the gradual development and protection of civil rights have played an essential role in creating inclination to the empowerment of the various groups.
Value Systems Comparison
Essentially, there is a need to view all people as equal despite there being racial, political, and physical differences such as disabilities. However, people should be considered concerning their ability. For instance, professionalism should be measured in terms of skills, and skin color should not make one more superior than the other. However, other societies view some groups as being unqualified to hold various positions. For example, in most Middle East and African communities, women do not participate in politics, and their male counterparts must guide their decisions during elections. In essence, women are considered as being meant for the kitchen in such societies and cannot contribute to developing actively.
There is a need for coexistence and tolerance in diverse communities such as the US. These values help to avoid conflict between various groups. As opposed to this system, the early US society was inclined to segregate some groups, such as the black people. Such societies view conflict as being necessary for communities where some dominate others in a bid to control competition (Shah & Smith, 2021). However, the inclusion of all individuals enables the development of diverse ideas.
In conclusion, the right to vote is a fundamental civil right with a long history of struggle that led development of formerly disenfranchised communities. Before independence, the Plymouth colony safeguarded that only affluent white men could vote. The approval of various amendments has promoted the rights of African Americans and women to vote over time. The emphasis on suffrage rights has helped increase the participation of previously disenfranchised groups in politics.
References
Gillette, W. (2019). The Right to Vote: Politics and the Passage of the Fifteenth Amendment . JHU Press.
Neuman, J. (2019). Gilded Suffragists: The New York Socialites who Fought for Women's Right to Vote . NYU Press.
Shah, P., & Smith, R. S. (2021). Legacies of Segregation and Disenfranchisement: The Road from Plessy to Frank and Voter ID Laws in the United States. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences , 7 (1), 134-146.
