Describe who gained suffrage by the 1820s.
By the 1820s, there were significant expansions in suffrage rights in several countries, particularly in Western Europe and the United States. It is important to note that suffrage was not yet universal during this time and eligibility to vote varied greatly across different regions. However, there were notable groups that gained suffrage rights during this period:
1. White men: In most countries, white men (usually over a certain age and property-owning) were the primary beneficiaries of expanded suffrage. These rights were generally extended to those who were considered members of the socio-economic elite.
2. Working-class men: In some countries, the suffrage also began to extend to working-class men who did not own significant property. This trend reflected the growing influence of industrialization and the rise of the labor movement. However, voting rights for working-class men were still limited and often subject to additional requirements, such as literacy or certain income thresholds.
3. Property-owning women: Some limited expansions in voting rights occurred for women, particularly those who owned property. In several U.S. states, property-owning women were allowed to vote in local elections during this period. However, this right was still restricted to a relatively small group of wealthy and propertied women.
4. Certain racial and ethnic groups: In some countries, particularly those with significant colonies or overseas territories, certain racial and ethnic groups gained limited suffrage rights. For example, in the British Empire, some parts of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand granted suffrage rights to Indigenous peoples and non-white populations.
Overall, suffrage rights were expanding during the 1820s, but it was still limited to a narrow range of individuals, primarily elite white men. It would take several more decades for suffrage to become more universally accessible and inclusive.