How has democracy changed in America since our Founding fathers?

Answer 1

The electorate (the group of people who can vote) has expanded greatly. Originally, only white males over the age of 21 who owned property were allowed to participate in elections (a very narrow group). However, today because of the 15th, 19th, and 26th amendments, the electorate includes most U.S. citizens.

The 15th amendment granted men of different skin colors the right to vote, regardless of their ancestry.

The 19th amendment expanded the electorate to include women as well.

The 26th amendment along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 set the voting age to 18 across the nation; the voting age had previously been a state issue, and ages varied prior to the 26th amendment, some were as high as 21.

Additionally, Senators, who are highly influential in our government, are now directly elected; they were originally appointed by state legislatures. This was changed by the 17th amendment.

Answer 2

George Washington called the American Revolution the "Great Experiment." He also said, in his Farewell Address, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that any man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness." This nation represents the pinnacle of human history, by proving a free peoplecould govern themselves. At the founding of America, very few people in history had ever had the right to elect their own government. The transfer of power from one regime to the next was rarely orderly, as it always has been under the system of government set up by ourFounding Fathers. The United States was the first Republic since Rome. Still today, a free democracy is a fragile thing.