How did the change in voting rights affect poor white men and both enslaved and free African American men?
The change in voting rights had different impacts on different groups of men, particularly poor white men and African American men (both enslaved and free). Here is a breakdown of the effects:
1. Poor White Men:
Prior to the 19th century, many states had property ownership or tax payment requirements for voting, which excluded poor white men from participating in the electoral process. However, over time, several states began to loosen these requirements, thereby expanding voting rights for poor white men. This change allowed them to have a voice in the political process, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
2. Enslaved African American Men:
Enslaved African American men were completely denied the right to vote. As property, they did not possess any legal rights, including the right to participate in the political system. The institution of slavery treated them as objects rather than citizens, depriving them of any political agency.
3. Free African American Men:
The situation for free African American men varied depending on the state. While some northern states granted African American men the right to vote in the early 19th century, several southern states gradually enacted stricter voting restrictions targeting African Americans, both free and enslaved. These laws often included property ownership requirements, literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory measures designed to suppress African American voting.
Overall, the change in voting rights during this period served to expand access to the political process for poor white men, while simultaneously marginalizing African American men, both free and enslaved, through various legal and social barriers. It was not until after the Civil War and the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870 that all African American men were granted the right to vote in the United States.