Final answer:
In the Pennsylvania colony, voting rights were extended to all taxpaying men who swore allegiance to the Revolutionary cause, regardless of property ownership. By 1790, Pennsylvania allowed free African Americans to vote as well, making its system one of the most inclusive of the era.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Pennsylvania colony, the criteria for voting rights evolved over time. Initially, political participation and the ability to vote were tied to the concept that voters should have a financial stake in their community. This belief led to property ownership and tax requirements being prerequisites for voting eligibility. Religious restrictions were also in place, with certain groups being denied the vote. By the eve of the Revolution, many of these restrictions were still in place, although states were moving towards more democratic models.
Pennsylvania, as a result of democratic leanings during the constitutional convention, adopted a radical constitution. It allowed all taxpaying men who swore an allegiance to the revolutionary cause to vote for delegates. This enfranchisement was not limited to property owners, but was extended to the majority of free white males, including small farmers, merchants, lawyers, and artisans. Eventually, by 1790, all states had removed religious qualifications, and states such as Pennsylvania even allowed free African Americans to vote.
The Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 was particularly noteworthy for abolishing property ownership as a requirement for voting. If a man was twenty-one or older, had paid taxes, and lived in the state for one year, he was eligible to vote, making the Pennsylvania system one of the most inclusive at the time. This opened voting to a much larger segment of the population and marked a significant step in the democratization of politics in the American colonies.