American Democracy Dbq

After many years of British bombardment, constant wars, and cons in America's government, America finally is the independent country it is today. Although, America was not always free and independent. During the 1600's through the 1800's, America was merely striving for a democracy in which a democracy meant that the people had a voice and were entitled to equal rights. In the 1600's, the mother country Britain took control of America. Britain angered the colonists with silly taxes that the colonists did not want to pay for much like the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act. The British caused many wars and conflicts and angered many but by the 1700's, one wise man by the name of Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration

Because of how America treated slaves unfairly and how biased it was towards women, the United States, or the U.S, was not deserving of its reputation as a pioneer in democracy, therefore, the U.S was undemocratic. To begin with, the U.S treated slaves unfairly by treating them like property which was undemocratic. The Middle Passage is one fair example. The Middle Passage was the crossing between Africa and America and was a route on a ship that traded slaves for different goods. Slaves abroad the ship were treated very poorly and were being treated like property. As depicted in the illustration, Stowage of the British slave ship Brookes, it shows the plan of a slave ship and illustrations of two ships. It states, “Plan of lower deck with stowage of 292 slaves 120 of these being stowed

In the early years when America was still developing, women were considered ‘weak’ and that all women were entitled to was to stay at home cleaning, cooking, taking care of the children, and watching over the household. Voting was especially an issue. Out of all the thirteen colonies, only Christian white males with property were qualified to vote. (“Voting Qualifications”) Nor women, African Americans, or slaves were mentioned. By 1870, slaves were given the right to vote due to the Three-Fifths Compromise and the 15th Amendment that had passed. About 50 years later, women were given the right to vote. While a democracy gives the people certain inalienable rights, America separated the rights between certain groups of people making it unfair to others. Women were also less acknowledged in marriage. According to the The Lady’s Law, “Once married, colonial women could not own property or collect wages.” This means that once women got married, it meant that the women were willing to give up her property to her husband. Women were not allowed to own their property so therefore were considered incapable of doing so. Men were also given the right to take custody of the children in case of divorce while women could