History of South America

Who where allowed to vote in 1789?

In 1789, the United States was a newly formed country, and the right to vote was limited to a small minority of the population. Here are the general categories of people who were allowed to vote in 1789:

1. White Male Property Owners: The vast majority of voters in 1789 were white male property owners. In most states, only men who owned a certain amount of property were eligible to vote. This requirement effectively excluded women, enslaved people, and many poor and working-class men from the electorate.

2. Free Black Men: In some Northern states, such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire, free Black men were allowed to vote if they met certain property ownership requirements. However, in most Southern states, Black people were not allowed to vote, regardless of their wealth or property status.

3. Women: Women were universally denied the right to vote in all states in 1789. It wasn't until the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 that women gained the right to vote nationwide.

It is important to note that voting requirements varied slightly from state to state in 1789, and some states had additional restrictions or qualifications beyond those listed above. The right to vote was significantly restricted during this time compared to modern standards of universal suffrage, where most citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to vote.