The Limitations of Democracy: Exclusion and Inequality
However, despite the lofty ideals espoused by the founding fathers, democratic rights were not extended to all members of society. Both the right to vote and the right to property were restricted to white men, excluding women, African Americans, and indigenous peoples from full participation in the democratic process. This glaring inequality undermined the nation’s professed commitment to democratic principles.
Chapter 6: Constitutional Rights| Class 11 History Notes
The birth of the United States in the 1770s was marked by a fervent embrace of democratic ideals, epitomized by the rallying cry of the settlers in their fight for independence. This “democratic spirit” not only distinguished the USA from the monarchies and aristocracies of the Old World but also laid the foundation for the nation’s identity and values.