Lesson 7.01 Expansion of Suffrage

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

Enduring Knowledge: Over time, the history of the United States has seen increasing numbers of Americans added to the ranks of eligible voters including non-property owners, African-Americans, and women.

Complete the 7.01 Notes Guide as you go through the lesson. You will submit your completed work at the end of the lesson.

Read and analyze the quote by Abigail Adams.

"I long to hear that you have declared an independency....I desire you would remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands....If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment (stir up) a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation." Abigail Adams, March 31, 1776.

What is she trying to persuade her husband, John Adams, to do? What do her words suggest about the role and status of women at the time? Look at the language used in the last sentence, "no voice, or representation." Would you have had "a voice" or the right to vote when our country was founded in 1776 or even just a century ago? It would have depended on your race, gender, and possibly your social status. Rollover the image to learn more about Abigail Adams.

The course of American history has been one of expanding suffrage. Over time, the history of the United States has seen increasing numbers of Americans added to the ranks of eligible voters. Prohibitions against groups such as non-property owners, women, and African-Americans have been done away with as Americans increasingly embraced democracy and the principle of one-man, one-vote. This unit is about the expansion of the right to vote over the course of American history and how elections are conducted today.

First Lady Abigail Adams. View larger version

Watch Faith in Democracy (2:19) to learn more about the importance of voting and participating in our democracy.

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Lesson Objectives Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to: identify the qualifications for voting early in our nation's history. describe the major events that impacted African-American suffrage including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and black codes. trace the impact of the Women's Suffrage Movement. explain the impact of the 26th Amendment. The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Government objective(s): 6, 6.2. This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R4, R7, W4, and W9.