1700's Voting Rights

1700’s marked a time period of change and identity! American Colonies began to develop an independent culture from England as well as anger.  Colonists felt a since of real freedom.  While far away from England with the Atlantic Ocean separating them many American Colonists decided it was time to separate from England and start a new country.  These men who formed the country of America are known as the founding fathers.  These founding fathers did look or sound like the people they ruled over and set on a path democracy, but what they did have was an untapped love for freedom and equality for all.   

1730’s: Many colonies (British owned) allowed colonists to vote, but only for local representatives and taxes.  Because colonies were ruled by England they were not allowed to vote for any English representatives in England.  The famous phrase “No Taxation without representation was created”.

1776: The 13 English Colonies sent representative from each colony to meet and design a new free country.  These representatives were all very wealthy white men who either owned large corporations or plantations.  They decided that they no longer wanted to pay taxes to England and Declared Independence July 4, 1776 forming what will forever be known at The United States of America. 

1787: The same representatives that met for the Declaration of Independence met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to create and vote on the rules of the newly formed country by creating the United States Constitution.  It took one year for white male property owners to vote in each colony to make the US Constitution in effect.

1792: New Hampshire began fight to extend voting rights to all citizens by allowing non-white property owners to vote for colonial mayors and governors.