Universal Suffrage
Q.1
Franchise and suffrage hold similar definition but they are different. Franchise is a general term for the possession of any right to carry out an action, the right to own or the right to exist (Sarnoff 112). The term also encompasses the right to vote constitutionally. This includes the right granted to companies to practice, operate, or sell certain commodity in a certain region or area. On the other hand, suffrage defines the voting right itself. In addition, the term also defines the vote cast. Further, suffrage means the person given the right exercises it to the latter (Sarnoff 112).
Q.2
Discrimination against the black race and towards women was a challenge that hindered free and fair elections. Further, black skinned individuals and women were excluded from professional opportunities. For instance, in theater, white people would rather paint black color on their faces to portray black people than have the real black people take the role (Avins 76). Additionally, both women and the black people had not right to vote. Their suffrage was compromised.
Male chauvinism, racism and the lack of proper civilization clouded the free world into thinking that women and black people were lesser beings incapable of making important choices like candidate choices in an election. However, the 15th amendment, which was revisited and rectified in the year 1869, lifted the racial exclusion clause. This allowed every male in the country, whether black or white, equal voting rights (Avins 82).
After the 15th Amendment, African American men could vote in American elections provided they met other additional requirements. The women were excluded during the 15th amendment. Still, it was not legal for a female, whether white or black, to step anywhere near a voting booth. However, after 5o years of gender inequality in voting, the 19th amendment allowed women to vote in their country (Fredericks 91). The black men got their suffrage in the year 1969, while women got theirs 50 years later.
Although voting was allowed, many restrictions were placed as conditions to clear one’s name for voting. This targeted African Americans only. In some States, poor voters (mostly black) were not allowed to vote. Avins notes that in others, ethnic considerations determined the voting rights of an individual despite the 15th and 19th amendments (95). Nevertheless, the 24th amendments streamlined the restrictions and eradicated the polling taxes.
Later during the Vietnam War, the participation of the young soldiers and their dedication to defend their country helped to shape their future voting rights. The American people decided to allow 18 year old youths to participate in election during the 26th amendment (Engdahl 49). After all, they realized that since these young people can defend their country, they can also vote their leaders.
Q.3
Male chauvinism, racism and the lack of proper civilization clouded the free world into thinking that women and black people were lesser beings incapable of making important choices like candidate choices in an election. Although voting was allowed, many restrictions were placed as conditions to clear one’s name for voting. This targeted African Americans only. In some States, poor voters (mostly black) were not allowed to vote. In others, ethnic considerations determined the voting rights of an individual despite the 15th and 19th amendments (Avins 84).
After the 15th amendment that allowed the African American citizens to vote, the government instituted heavy poll taxes that would discourage black voters. Besides, they government knew that their income as slaves was hardly enough for daily sustenance (Avins 90). Additionally, literacy tests that were unnecessary were instituted to assist the white people eliminate black voters. This method was effective in filtering black voters since most of them were uneducated.
The 15th and the 19th amendments allowed African Americans and women respectively their suffrage. However, the conditions set by the government and some of the states made it difficult for them to exercise their suffrage (Avins 100). In concise, the 15th and 19th amendment did not bring the women and African American citizens enough suffrage.
Q4.
The passing of the 15th amendment did not deter some states from denying certain individuals their voting rights. The literacy tests introduced to filter black Americans caused a stir throughout the country. Violence occurred as people demonstrated to oppose the disfranchisement of voting rights. As a result of this, the federal government passed legislation to ban any attempts to violate the citizens’ suffrage in the year 1965 through the Act of 1965 (Luibheid 523).
NVRA Act of 1993 streamlined all the voting rights of the American people. The Act enables voters to apply for voter registration, while at the same time applying for a driver’s sentence. Additionally, the Act allows provision of assistance during the application process (Crocker 51). Moreover, this Act allows the continuity of the original registration. The Act allows one to vote freely during an election even when their address has changed from their point of registration. In succinct, the Act of 1993 brought the American voter freedom of election and suffrage.
Works Cited
Avins, Alfred. The Reconstruction amendments’ debates; the legislative history and contemporary debates in Congress on the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.. Richmond: Virginia Commission on Constitutional Government, 1967. Print.
Crocker, Royce. The National voter registration act of 1993, “motor-voter”. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, 1994. Print.
Engdahl, Sylvia. Amendment XXVI: lowering the voting age. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Print.
Fredericks, Carrie. Amendment XIX: granting women the right to vote. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Print.
Luibheid, E.. “The 1965 Immigration And Nationality Act: An “End” To Exclusion?.” positions: east asia cultures critique 5.2 (1997): 501-522. Print.
Sarnoff, Daniella. “Interwar Fascism And The Franchise: Women’s Suffrage And The Ligues.” Historical Reflections 34.2 (2008): 112-133. Print.
The proposed 24th amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing the poll tax in federal elections. Madison, Wis.?: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library, 1962. Print.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|