During the Progressive Era (roughly 1890-1920), there were a number of efforts to expand democracy and ensure that all citizens had the right to vote. However, there were also many examples of disenfranchisement, or the denial of the right to vote, particularly for certain groups of people. Here are some examples of disenfranchisement during the Progressive Era:
Poll taxes: Some states instituted poll taxes, or fees that had to be paid in order to vote. These taxes disproportionately affected poor people and people of color, who were less likely to be able to afford the fees.
Literacy tests: Some states required voters to pass literacy tests in order to vote. These tests were often designed to be difficult or confusing, and they were used to exclude African Americans from voting.
Grandfather clauses: Some states had "grandfather clauses" that allowed people to vote only if their grandfathers had been able to vote before the Civil War. This effectively excluded African Americans, who had not been allowed to vote before the Civil War.
White primaries: Some states had "white primaries," which were primary elections in which only white voters were allowed to participate. This effectively excluded African Americans from the political process.
Intimidation and violence: Some people were prevented from voting through intimidation and violence. For example, African Americans were often threatened or physically attacked if they tried to vote in certain areas.
These are just a few examples of the many ways in which disenfranchisement occurred during the Progressive Era. It's important to note that many of these practices were eventually outlawed, but their legacy has persisted and continues to impact voting rights today.