Women Were Not Able To Partake In Democracy Dbq

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America was revolutionary in democratic political ideals, social standings, and the beginnings of religious toleration. However, many people weren’t allowed to partake in such advancements, because they weren’t of proper race, gender, or even certain religions. England leaving the colonies to fend for themselves was a historic move, allowing the colonists to create for themselves their own unique culture, where people could move up the social ladder, with no aristocracy blocking their way. Without England breathing down their necks, the colonists created radical new governments, people actually given a voice in their government for the first time, (Doc. 3) and having the ability to represent their colony in a legislative body (Doc. 6). …show more content…

If you weren’t white, male, or Christian, you couldn’t vote. (Doc. 2) Women had no rights. They couldn’t own property, and they couldn’t vote. Their children became the property of their husband, and couldn’t sign a contract without the permission of their husband. (Doc. 4) Women definitely weren’t able to partake in democracy. They were expected to keep house, and raise children. This continued to be an issue until 1920, when the first election that women could vote in took place. Another group that didn’t partake in democracy were the slaves. It was very hypocritical for slave owners to preach about freedom and liberty, while keeping innocent people of their own captive. Slaves had fewer rights that women, and were treated like animals, bought and sold, families split apart. One of the most gruesome events for the slave was the middle passage, where they were treated like sardines, packed on a ship deck. (Doc. 5) Slaves had no say in their servitude, and certainly didn’t have a say in their colony’s government. Even after the Civil War, African Americans had to continue to fight for the right to vote. People who weren't Christians couldn’t vote, and sometimes couldn’t even live in some colonies. Quakers and Jews were persecuted mercilessly, and radical thinkers and teachers, could be banned from the Bay colony. Democracy in the colonies

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