Student Edition

protests and politics. They also started a movement to lower the voting age to 18. The basic argument was that if individuals were old enough to be drafted and fight for their country, they were old enough to vote. The Twenty- sixth Amendment, which was ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18 in every state. More than 10 million citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 gained the right to vote. In 1972 many young people exercised their right to vote for the first time. ✓ CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING 1. DETERMINING CENTRAL IDEAS How was suffrage extended to women and to 18-year-olds? 2. ANALYZING CHANGE In terms of time, compare the expansion of voting rights to women with that of the expansion of voting rights to 18- to 21-year-olds. What most likely contributed to this difference? 3. CITING TEXT EVIDENCE Cite the text that supports the idea that the result of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment was significant in the political process. Building Citizenship 1. IDENTIFYING CONNECTIONS In 2020 only 55.8 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot for a presidential candidate. Considering the struggles needed to extend suffrage in the United States, why do so few people exercise their privilege of voting? What can be done to encourage more eligible voters to participate in the election process? Building Social Studies Skills 2. IDENTIFYING EFFECTS Chief Justice John Jay said, “The people who own this country ought to govern it.” How did this shared belief affect voting in the early years of the nation? 3. EXPLAINING EFFECTS The voting rights laws of 1970, 1975, and 1982 removed barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote. What effect did these laws have on non-English speaking citizens? 4. UNDERSTANDING CHANGE Which led the change in woman suffrage—state governments or the national government? Explain your answer. Writing About Government 5. INFORMATIVE WRITING Compare and contrast the movements to gain suffrage for women and for 18- to 21-year- olds. Research the two movements’ strategies, supporters, and timing. Write two paragraphs noting the similarities and differences. Who supported each movement? What arguments did they make to gain the right to vote? What tactics did they use? How long did each campaign take to realize change? Collaborating 6. EVALUATING In a small group, discuss the sacrifices people made to win the right to vote. What do these sacrifices tell you about their dedication to their cause? Why do you think many people objected to these changes? Why do some changes come quickly while others come slowly? LESSON 1 REVIEW The Twenty-sixth Amendment, which was ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18 in every state. EXPLAINING Would you favor lowering the voting age in the United States to 16? Explain. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Why do you think that once they could vote, women did not experience the same voter suppression laws and tactics as African Americans? EXPLORING THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION 690 It’s All Online! PHOTO: McGraw Hill; TEXT: Jay, William. 1833. The Life of John Jay. J. & J. Harper.