The phrase denotes a historical period where the right to vote was extended to nearly all adult white men within a given political system. This expansion of suffrage typically involved the removal of property ownership, tax payment, or other similar qualifications that had previously restricted voting rights to a smaller segment of the male population. For example, in the early United States, many states initially limited voting to landowners; the gradual elimination of these restrictions during the early to mid-19th century is indicative of the rise of this broadened franchise.
The expansion of the electorate to include a wider range of white men had significant political and social implications. It empowered a larger segment of the population, theoretically making the government more responsive to the needs and interests of the common white man. This expansion also contributed to the rise of mass political parties and increased political participation. However, it is crucial to recognize that this broadened franchise explicitly excluded women and non-white men, perpetuating existing inequalities and reflecting the prevailing racial and gender biases of the era. The historical context reveals that the expansion was frequently intertwined with debates about citizenship, race, and the very definition of who constituted a legitimate member of the polity.
