POL203Y5 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Grandfather Clause, Party System
Document Summary
Federalism did make it more difficult for african americans to obtain equal voting and other civil rights. When united states constitution was first ratified, it granted each state complete discretion to determine voter qualifications for its residents. After the civil war, this changed and the 15th amendment granted voting rights to each and every citizen. disenfranchise racial minorities. Federalism also allowed for the demonstration effect to take place. Demonstration effect allowed the state to learn from one another and enact similar laws because there were no repercussions. Federalism also made it more difficult for the americans to obtain other civil rights. Due to federalism, the supreme courts generally upheld state discriminations laws as they were deemed legal. If a different system had been present, the federal government would have been able to circumvent the power of the states and allowed.
