<P> In the American colonial period before 1776, and for some time after, often only adult white male property owners could vote; enslaved Africans, most free black people and most women were not extended the franchise . On the American frontier, democracy became a way of life, with more widespread social, economic and political equality . Although not described as a democracy by the founding fathers, they shared a determination to root the American experiment in the principles of natural freedom and equality . </P> <P> The American Revolution led to the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1787, the oldest surviving, still active, governmental codified constitution . The Constitution provided for an elected government and protected civil rights and liberties for some, but did not end slavery nor extend voting rights in the United States beyond white male property owners (about 6% of the population). The Bill of Rights in 1791 set limits on government power to protect personal freedoms but had little impact on judgements by the courts for the first 130 years after ratification . </P> <P> In 1789, Revolutionary France adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and, although short - lived, the National Convention was elected by all men in 1792 . However, in the early 19th century, little of democracy--as theory, practice, or even as word--remained in the North Atlantic world . </P> <P> During this period, slavery remained a social and economic institution in places around the world . This was particularly the case in the United States, and especially in the last fifteen slave states that kept slavery legal in the American South until the Civil War . A variety of organisations were established advocating the movement of black people from the United States to locations where they would enjoy greater freedom and equality . </P>

A study of democracy must focus on democratic politics explain